Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-05-06
BRIBERY CHARGES
IN PHILADELPHIA
Sensation in Quaker City Over Prop.
0sition to Lease Gas Works.
BUSINESS MANS AFFIDAVIT

company was the reading at a mass
of an affidavit made by Robert Dornan,
a carpet manufacturer. that bribery
was resorted on when the United Gas
Improvement company secured its
present 30-year lease of the gas works
in 1897. Mr.. Dornan's affidavit was
read by William 7. Tilden, secretary
of the meeting.
The affidavit says that through the
instrumentality of Israel w. Durham.
the Republican leader of this city,
syndicate known as the "Ridgway
Syndicate" was formed to bid on the
lease in 1897 in opposition to the
United Gas Improvement company.
and that he (Mr. Dornan) and friend
were requested to becSne members of
the syndicate. Mr.. Dornan and his
friend Joined the syndicate. and bid,
better than the U. G. l. Co.'S was
made. Continuing. the affidavit says:
almost Immediately after the bid
was made the syndicate was requested
to send a representative to confer
u. G. |. Co. Thereupon a member Of
the syndicate was delegated to repre-
sent the 'Ridgway Syndicate and af-
ter several conferences an agreement
was entered into by which. in return
for withdrawal of the 'Ridgway Syn
dicate' bid a sum of money amounting
to $4,000 was to be paid each men,
hA- of hat Wit
further valuable consideration in the
privilege to subscribe to a large guam
tity of bonds to be sold at a price
much below their value.
This agreement was carried out
and the money paid over to the men,
bers of the syndicate. with the excep-
ton Of T. ID. Stinson (Dornan's
fused acceptance of our shares; what
became of them ultimately is unknown
to me. II is scarcely supposable. how
ever. that the amount was turned back
into the u. G. |. treasury" Mr.. Dornan
concludes his affidavit by directly
charging Mr. Dolan, as therepresenta-
tive of the U. G. /. company. with the
and other valuable considerations to
induce the 'Ridgway Syndicate to
withdraw it's bid for the lease. hope.
thereby" he says. ito establish fraud
upon which legal proceedings can be
based TO void the existing lease to the
u. G. l. company, and restore the prop
erty to the city. thus enabling il to
offer a new lease in open competition
to the best bidder"
Mayor John Weaver. after a confer
ence with Israel W. Durham. leader of
the Republican organization. issued a
statement in which he opposes the
lease of the city gas works to the
United Gas Improvement company.
The stand taken by the mayor caused
quite stir about city hall. Mr. Dur
ham departed for Hot Springs, Va. and
this Is taken to mean that he considers
the situation satisfactory for the final
passage of the lease.
Several members of councils pre-
dicted that councils would be called
into special session next Tuesday and
pass the lease ordinance with a large
majority. and that councils would pass
IL again over the mayors veto.
GREAsoN GETS NEW TRIAL
Kate Edwards Confession Gives Him
Another Chance.
Reading. Pa, May Judge Ermen-
trout granted a new trial to Samuel
Greason. who was condemned to hang
in the now-famous John Edwards MUIR
der case.
The new trial Is granted on the
strength of the confession of Mrs.
Kate Edwards that she alone killed
her husband. This confession was
made just a few days before the day
set for the hanging of Mrs. Edwards
and Greason last February. and re-
suited in their reprieve. Judge Ermen-
trout saws in his opinion that right
and justice demand a new trial for
Greason.
John Edwards was murdered nearly
four years ago. and it is expected that
Greason. who has made a great fight
for life, will be acquitted
HUNTING PARTY sToRMeouNp
Rain and Snow Has Fallen continu-
ousIy. With No Sign of Break.
Glenwood Springs. Colo. MAY A.
For three days President Roosevelt's
hunting party has been stormbound
I'm the mountains. Rain and snow have
fallen continuously. and there is no
sign of break. The roads are muddy
and the trails accordingly DANGEROUS
for horsemen. The hunters intended
to remove to East Divide creek on
Monday. but as the party will break ND
on Saturday the camp will likely be
moved to the head of Garfield creek
as soon as horsemen can get through.
Mountain streams are raging torrents
and most of them cannot be crossed.
Grizzly bears are the only kind of
game that will be hunted for from
now on. Thus far this king of Rocky
mountain beasts has eluded the presi-
dent and he is very anxious to get a
grizzly.