The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-09-20
CAPITOL GRAFT ARRESTS
PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS AND
CONTRACTOR IN THE TOLLS.
WARRANTS OUT FOR FOURTEEN

Mentioned by Special Investigation
mmIssion-Principal Defendants
Furnish 100000 Bond.
Harrisburg, Pa, Sept. l9.-Tbe long
expected arrests oi those held to DO
responsible Tor the frauds committed
In the furnishing and decorating OF
Pennsylvania $4,000 900 capitol have
been made. the attorney general caus-
ing warrants to be issued Tor fourteen
OF the eighteen persons and hrmS
named by tho capitol Investigation
commission as being involved III the
scandal.
Following is a list OF the men for
whom warrants were issued Joseph
M. Huston architect. and his active
assistant, Stanford Lewis, both of
Philadelphia. John II. Sanderson OF
Philadelphia. chief contractor for fur.
nishEgs. Congressman II. Burd Cas-.
sci of Marietta. Pa. treasurer and
executive officer of the Pennsylvania
Construction company, contractors for
Btell filing cases; J. NJ. Shumaker
OF Johnstown, former superintendent
OF public grounds and buildings, who
recepted TOT the furnishings; George
f. Payne and his partner, Charles G.
Wetter, both of Philadelphia, build.
ers of the capitol and contractors for
the 100000 attic; william p. Snyder
of Spring City, former auditor gen
eral, who approved the warrants of the
contractors, William l. Mathus OF
Media, former state treasurer. who
paid the bills of the contractors;
Charles f. Kinsman, Wallis Boileau.
John G. Neiderer and George X.
Storm, all of Philadelphia, stockhold.
ers in the Pennsylvania Bronze com.
pany, organized by Sanderson for the
manufacture of the $2.OOO,OOO lighting
fixtures; Frank Irvine, auditor in the
auditors office.
Nearly all the defendants appeared
during the day, waived hearing and
entered bail for their appearance in
the Dauphin county court. Several
were unable to appear because of Ill.
ness and will make their appearance
later The principal defendants were
held in 100000 bond, which was fur
companies.
All the defendants are charged with
conspiracy TO cheat and defraud the
state by making false invoices, which
were approved by Huston and Shu-
maker. Charges OF obtaining money
by false pretcnses were also entered
against Sanderson, Cassel, Payne and
Wetter, II being alleged they furnished
fictitious bills for greater amount
than they were entitled TO receive un.
der contracts.
Based on Report Of Commission.
The prosecutions are the outcome
Of the political upheaval in Philadel.
phia in 1905, when Mayor Weaver
quarreled with the Republican organi-
zation. The independent movement
against the Republicans in Philadel-
phia that year spread throughout the
state and led to the election as state
treasurer Of William II. Berry, a
Democrat, on the fusion ticket Berry
took Office early in 1906, being the
first Democrat TO occupy that position
in twenty-five years. In the fall cam
paign OF last year Berry startled the
state by charging that according to
the state treasurer's books, the build.
ing and furnishings Of the state cap
itol had cost s130OO0OO and not So.
00G 900 as had been generally be-
llcve1 and that $4,000 900 of the
money went TO furnish the building.
He charged that $4,000 900 of the 49,.
000OO0 was pure graft" Governor
Pennypacker. other state officials and
the contractors denied the charges.
but the agitation for an Investigation
vas Immediately began and continued
until the last legislature appointed a
commission TO Investigate the wnu'e
affair Much sensational testimony
was brought out during the hearIIgs.
wh:rn covered a period Of about SIX
100 tbs The commission made n re-
NOr' 10 Governor Stuart, who turned it
Over 10 Attorney General Todd The
after thought the evidence OF fraud
was - strong that he at once decided
IN hr'rg criminal and civil suits
against hose held to be responsible
To- h., T,NnIS