The Washington times., 1905-11-19
Three Sorry Revelations.

Ne IeCOIQ OL the AIuiSlIOA6 III
surance inquiry now in progress in
New York city is so portent with
side-lights on American politics,
American business, American citizen
ship. and the standards that under
lie ali three, that whole pages of edi-
torial comment would be required to
discuss it fairly OF all that has
been brought TO light, however, the
disclosures of the past week are most
impressive, and three details have
shocked the whole country
One of those details is this: That
one or more Of three men, high in
commercial standing, intrusted with
extraordinary financial responsibility,
and stewards of vast funds which be-
long to other people, have deliber-
ately committed perjury.
Another IS that the head of a great
raihoad system, man whose word
is better than ais bond, is willing. de-
liberately. to prey upon a man he
calls his friend, and, with a smile on
his face, deliberately to knife him
in the back
The third is that another railroad
magnate. great figure in the world
of -'respectability," is either the inti-
mate Of lobbyists and grafters or is
willing 10 bear, without protest, the
ignominy OF that association.
James Hazen Hyde, Edward H.
Hartman, and Benjamin B. Odell
are, of course. the three men first
indicated. Senator Chauncy NJ Depew
is the monument of "respectability" 3"
A little matter OF s75, ,0O0 paid to
reimburse Odelrs personal losses is
the occasion for the perjury. Hyde
asserts circumstantially and reiter-
ates persistently the accusation that
the money was "extorted" by Odell
as governor. The club, Hyde says.
had the form of a bill to repeal an
important charter MIR. Hartman is
accused as the go-between. When
summoned to the stand both these
fnanciers admit the bare details Of
the transaction-that Odell did sus-
tain the loss and that the money
was paid to him personally. that a
bill aimed at the charter specified by
Mr.. Hyde was introduced, and that IL
was withdrawn with Mr.. 0dell's
knowledge, when the money passed
TO the governor. But they deny the
extortion Which party to the con-
troyersy is telling the truth? Some
one has lied under oath--deliberately
and repeatedly There Is work for
the law officers here.
In the second count OF this indict-
ment Mr.. Hartman admits that he
pledged himself ito speak to" the
President in behalf Of Mr.. Hyde's
candidacy for appointment as am
bassador to France. He was receiv-
ing favors from Hyde which put him
under the greatest obligations to the
younger man. He testifies that he
did speak to the President Did he
fulfill Mr. Hyde's very Just expec-
tations? Not d bit OF IT, He merely
spoke" to the President This, the
ordinary American viii think. is as
much a breach of faith as though he
had forged Hyde's name.
A letter is the basis for the third
count. 1t was acknowledged by
Senator Depew. and so it can be read
by the Senator's Washington neigh
bors with confidence:
! My Dear Senator: Our friend up the
rive2 has been very cantankerous OF
/ late and wants TO know-you know
Don't care a hang. &c. &C. AS soon as
/ you can conveniently say. VIII you
/ kindly 90 so2
Wishing you ali the good things OF life
/ IN this holiday season l am as ever
yours JOHN. A. NICHOLS.
The nation is extremely anxious
for an explanation of that wants tc
know-you know" The Senator
thinks his friend up the river If
an insurance man. But, although
he recalls the letters, he cannot fol-
the life Of him recall who thai