The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-08
RECALLS EPISODE AT'SALEA
Pcstoffice Appointment Does Not Meet
With the, Approval Of One of clas.
sop county's Ex.Lesislators--
Considers Party Betrayed.
Astoria, Ore, Feb. 5. 10

Dear Sir: AS have in previous
issue OF your paper entered protes,
70 the appointment OF John Hahn to
the postoffice Of Astoria, and in taa:
protest referred to a letter that / had
written 90 him over a year ago In
which accused him of things that
ought to disgrace any man. II true. in
any community. and the admission Of
Che truth this letter contained. by his
failing to make denial, | now consider
II proper and furthermore, duty /
eve to the public, to give them the
whole facts as 1 know them. thus
showing to the public the character OF
TIE man who is expecting to admin
ister for them the government of the
Astoria postoffice
accused John Hahn OF being a
traitor to the republican party; | ac-
sused him of offering me a bribe Of
money, that he thereby. through my
disgrace, would profit in a financial
way. AS you all know the occasion OF
which this affair claim took place at
Salem. il is not necessary that I. should
so into detail. therefore, win proceed
with the facts after stating that the
contest of the senatorial election was a
most decided one, and the result was
not obtained until the last minute OF
the session. At the noon recess of the
Ast day. Mr.. John Hahn called me to
one side (on the west porch of the
capitol building), and commenced
conversation by stating that George
Elm was then in Salem in the interest
Of Corbett. and that he would approach
me with the enieavor to secure my
vote for Corbett Mr.. Hahn said:
Ben. don't you have anything TO
do with him tHilD because he wants to
make money out Of the deal,r and con-
tinning on. he said: If you want to
gote for Corbett. you may as well have
all there is in it."
As this method was new to me. I was
anxious to learn more. l, therefore.
said: John. how am to secure all
there is In it?'
John said: T. myself. can get it for
yOu"a
Well said, @John, how much is
there in it?"
John said: do you want to know?
I said: Certainly, If change my
vute for money, | want to know how
much I am to receive"
John said: "All right" and forth
with he left the building. When he
returned I was in my seat (the legis-
htnre had convened). AS Joan took
his seat. said: Did you find out?
Ny Hahn said: yes" and forthwith
made the figures OF $4,000 on a slip OF
paper, and handed 1t to me. / shook
my head and said. No He then
whispered in my ear: Five hundred
more" | still said, No He then
asked me how much ! wanted, saying:
Il am not limited to that, | would get
the money" he said, "ain't / good foI
it," I said: Il suppose you are" He
then said: Il will guarantee it, Then
TO encourage me, he said that they
aIi do it" meaning the members would
all sell their votes If they could get
purchaser He further stated tnat
Shumann would vote for Corbett dur
ing the coming session. and 1t would
be a good time for me to follow VITA
my vote. | said: John. there is plenty
Of time; will think it over" As the
record will show Shumann did vote for
Corbett during the evening session
How Mr.. Hahn knew that Snumann
would change his vote during the even
ing | will leave to the imagination of
JrfFers. but believe that his method OF
finding out that secret was the same
as 1t would have been in my case, had
l accepted mis- terms. / know that he
tried to make money out Of my vote
because no man would subject him
self to such disgraceful and criminal
condition unless he expected a re-
gard. From the fact that he made
1rst bid, then raised that bid $500,
and finding that would not be sufficient
ne then asked me how much ! wanted,
saying the last offer was not the limit.
After first guaranteeing me all there
was in it, he shows plainly that John
was endeavoring to raise his salary, in
quiet way, on the side. have mem
tioued Mr.. George Hilrs name in this
affair because wished to quote Mr..
Hahn Just as the conversation took
place will state here that Mr.. Hin
had no conversation with me at any
time in this connection. have accused
Mr.. Hahn Of being traitor to the
republican party, and I will further
say that especially the branch of that
party known as the clatsop county or
Mr.. Hahn has denounced |
ih the most bitter terms, not only to