New-York tribune., 1904-09-19
BRIBERY, SAY POPULISTS.
ACCUSE BIG DEMOCRATS.
Mcdonald Asserts Offer Has Made
to Put Him on Payroll.

The charge made by ex-senator James K
Jones. former chairman Of the Democratic Ma
tiOnal Committee. that those who supporting
the PopuIist ticket are assistant Republicans"
and the hint that the Republicans aiding
the Populists financially made local Populists
extremely indignant yesterday. They demand
ed proof that the Republicans were aiding them.
and retorted that persons at Democratic na-
tiOnal headquarters had tried to bribe PopuIists
TO desert Watson. Henry VI. Mcdonald. men,
Der of the Populist State Committee said to
Tribune reporter:
Mr. Jones In closing his iterview of yesterday.
says: They (the supporters OF Mr.. WatsOn)
are getting plenty of money, and I have pretty
strong idea as 10 where ii is coming from The
innuendo is apparent. II. however, Mr.. Jones had
been any other than gum shoe" politician. he
would have made his charge openly by saying
the Republican campaign managers are fur
nlShing the peoples party money As 10
whether this is so or not. have no knowledge
Mr. JOneS'S innuendo can. however. be taken as
unproVen until he produces evidence 10 prove IL.
II he has the evidence he will render the Demo-
cratic party greater service than he ever has
done by laying his evidence before the public in
this time OF Democratic managerial extremity.
This. however, do know. tnat prominent
Democrats have systematically endeavOred 70
bribe Watson men by offering to put them
the Democratic national headquarters payroll
Within fifteen days gentleman occupying
position Of much Importance in connection with
the national committee, asked me to meet him
business matter entirely outside of politics.
which ] did. After reaching an agreement on
this business proposition, and after some pre-
Iiminary remarks, he said that he author
izsd to place me on the payroll at Democratic
national headquarters at any reasonably salary,
which might name, IL would give up my ad-
Voeaey of MIR. Watson's candidacy.
While not laying claim to any special amount
of integrity. quickly told him that there
wasn't money enough at Democratic headquar-
ters to induce me To go on the payroll"
think that similar replies have in almost every
instance been given hy Watson men TO such
offers. II Mr. Jones wishes the name OF my
would-be briber. whom he knows very we'll In
deed he have it. together with time and
place by calling at my office.
The characterization Of POpulstS assistant
Republicans comes in poor grace from one who
has been an assistant Republican" more than
breaking down the distinctive character Of the
Democratic party ands Republicanizing it, Mr.
Jones hardly needs to be reminded Of the fol-
lowing chapter of political history. In 1897 a
contest arose among the Democrats of this
State as TO whether the State committee at its
meeting TO nominate candidate for judge of
the Court of Appeals tho State convention being
held that year. should affirm the Chicago plat
form I secured pledges in writing from about
three-hfths of the members of the State
mittee to vote for the affirmation OF the 1896
platform. At the meeting of the committee
held In September. 1897. at the Hoffman House,
a letter was read 10 the assembled committee,
purporting to be from Senator Jones' advising
that 1t would not, i'm his Judgment. as chairman
OF the national committee. be necessary or eX-
pedent for the State committee to affirm the
Chicago platform. OF course, it was impossible
to secure the action sought in the face OF Mr.
Jones's official dictum.
ask ex-senator Jones to designate a Demo-
Crat who has played better assistant RepUb-
lican politics than he did on the above occasion
in producing by his letter a distinct line of
cleavage between the radical and conservative
Democrats of this State, furnishing al the same
time, so to speak a cornerstone upon which the
radicals can logically stand in advocating the
election OF the Peoples party nominees.
There is quite a history connected with Mr..
JOness letter. Very soon after the meeting OF
the State committee to which have referred
ex-senator TOwne. of Minnesota rode on the
train from Chicago to Washington with Mr.
Jones Mr. TOwne, fresh from the Republican
party, was very much incenSed over the action
Of Mr.. Jones in writing the New-YOrk State
committee letter. and took him 10 task for it,
Mr. Jones said that he never in his life had
written such letter. and pronounced II a
forgery. AT once wrote Mr.. Jones and asked
him whether Mr.. TOWne had correctly quoted
his statement respecting the State committee
letter. Mr.. Jones did not reply to my letter