The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-20
MAGuIRE'S REPLY.

The gentleman from California (Mr.
Johnson said that I, among other Rep
resentatives from California, would sup
port and vote for the Powers Refunding
Bill if left to follow my own convictions
| and Judgment in the matter, and that
am opposing it against my conscientious
| convictions solely on account of my fear
| OF the San Francisco Examiner and it's
| proprietor, Mr.. Hearst. By that statement
| he sought to brand me before this House
as an unfaithful Representative
| Mr.. Mcguire disclaimed being Influenced
by personal friendship for Mr.. Hearst,
whom Johnson had attacked in terms of
| toulest reproach." and continued:
with respect to the first statement of
the gentleman to which have called at
| tention l say that it is absolutely false
and without the slightest shadow Of foun-
daton In fact. / am opposing the Pow
ers Bill, as I have opposed all similar
bills, solely on my own judgment, and
because / am conscientiously convinced
that 1t is a vicious measure.
"As to the second statement of the
gentleman to whom l have called atten-
ton, I say I am politically and person
ally the friend of Mr.. Hearst. / have
known him personally since his childhood.
and know hlm to be q man of honorable
character and strong human sympathy.
In his journalistic career he has shown
himself a man Of the highest genius and
Isterhng worth He sympathizes with the
afflicted, and gives largely of his means
to relieve distress. He loves Justice and
contends for it. He hates Injustice and
opposes 1T practically. He hates oppres-
SION and fraud and scourges them in high
! as well as in low places. He has done
more than any other hundred men TO
purify the politics and the political in
stltutions of the United States-than any
man within its borders. But he has one
grievous fault, this fault causes bitter
and sometimes powerful enemies Il do not
refer to the gentleman from California;
! to rise uD against him.
Every human reptile that formerly
reveled in the corruption which his ef-
| forts interfered with hates him as it hates
sunlight, and shouts venom at him when
ever it gets into place of comparative
safety. In their rage for revenge the vi
cious ones whom he has assailed are not
restrained by any consideration of con-
science veracity. The worst falsehoods
that polluted minds are capable of hreod
| ing are by them preferred to truth. l am
speaking now of the source of the gen.
tleman's information against Mr.. Hearst
''Now, sir. / sat here Friday last and
heard with mingled feelings of horror and
disgust the scurrilous attack made by the
gentleman from California (dr.. Johnson)
upon Mr. Hearst.
''That attack was false in every SEN
tence false in every charge. l brand it
now as false in itself. and false in every
detail.
''The foulest and falsest of the gentle
mans (Johnsons) charges is based upon
the sworn statement of a man who came
to California fugitive from Justice
under indictment for felony who avoided
the inhospitable penitentiary of New York
and secured liberty and finally a response
BILE office in California by disappearing
from the Empire State between two days
and concealing his identity on the Pa.
Continued on Second Page.)