New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-28
An OUTRAGEOUS ATTACK.
One on Higgins SO Grossly Dishon-
est as to RecOI on authors.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: A campaign Of education is always TO be
welcomed If conducted fair lines and with due
regard the truth The people are entitled 10
facts and parties prosecuting campaign on false
hood should be measured accordingly. Therefore
the man who seeks the support of his fellow citi-
zens through faIsehood should not be trusted or
supported and the man who Wilfully ISLANDERS his
fellow man his own prererment Is be
meath the respect and recognition Of all honorable
men. To intrust such a man with power is little
short Of crime against society.
The present campaign begun with promise
OF freedom from vulgar abuse, SANDER and de-
traction: but while protesting against 1t the
enemies of Mr.. Roosevelt finding nothing ques-
tionable in his personal character. resorted 10
abuse OF his public character, and with raise as
sumption and wild prediction made him the issue
of the campaign. Then followed after another
Issues" heaped upon his characteristics. all appeal
ing TO prejudice and passion and assuming igno-
rance on the part OF the people. TO serve ior the
campaign
Fut perhaps the most garing exercise Of these
dastardly methods has been in our State cam
paign in the attack upon the Republican cahdi-
date for Governor Frank w. Higgins, IL cohhec-
ton with the Furnaceve Iron Company incident
This has become outrageOusly dishonest as to
recoiI on It's aut.ors and promulgatOrs. The pur-
pose was to injure the character of an honest man
and faithful loyal public servant. I characterize
IL as dishonest because the statements made are so
at variance with the facts which easily sscer-
There is no better evidence on this subject than
the record and the record contradicts the state
party and repeated and embelished by the partisan
press. The criminal ignorance OF some men VINO
seek to backen the character OF Ie!ioM ci 2S
opposed 10 them is deploraole' notably that OF MI
Harrison and Professor Lee Every man ~ TINS
land who has ever encountered In the earth the
material known IS "hardpan' has the writer
in the course OF a practical experience engineer
and contractor of thirty yeafS-knoWs that
"hardpan" exposed to the air Tor period VIII
disntegrate. slack and ultimately return to earth
SO viii the shales and certain other rock material
II Is known beyond question that there was hard
contract: that the excavation occurred SIX years
ago and that the material eXcavated mas oeen
exposed during the interval TO the weather OF
course. II has disinte6rated; as one man says
Corn is growing it,; Mr. Harrison says mowers
are growing on IL; another man has jar OF IT.
been II is claimed, an able Judge Has he never
had before him case covering ciasslncatlon or
material involving 'hardpan. and rock? OF the
These are the men in whose hands we are asked
10 place the mana cement OF the State; men either
grossly ignorant on eyeTydsy PIacuSai 9uesuohs
or knowing. so lacking in common honesty as TO
be unworthy of trust. The writer hoped TO vote
the Democratic ticket this fall but the absolute
absence OF truth, fairness ana manllneSs ~ the
conduct of the campaign upon the part Of the Demo-
cratic ca ndidates and their partisan advocates has
SO diaEusted him that he has, with others con-
cIrSed 40 vote both national and State Republican
tickets Judge Parker's msstatements Of fact about
the cost OF the Philippines the United States public
Ssrisnce with truth argue an objectionable
igDorsnce OF facts which should deprive him Of
the support OF the American people Wnlie the
Wholesale falsincaon OF fact slanderous accuse ton
~ lieutenant Governor Higgins and msstat ement
IF every important State question by the candidates
~ the Democratic party should deprive mem OF the
siIprort Of all decent citizens.
What a spectacle for the rising generation! what
an example and education. and what disgrace
,be Wandered and abused and choose your servants
NeW-York. Oct. %. 1904. ENSINEt.Fs.