Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-13

want to say he said. that these
men have been run down and brought
to book, and it turns out that many
of them are eX-convicts, and they
stand good chance of returning to
the pcnitentiary.
He was pressed by Shackleford of
Missouri, for information as to who
those eX-convic1S We're, but he would
go no farther than to say that be-
fore long they would be produced in
court. Their names he said. had been
brought before the grand jury. both
at Washington and at New York and
at tho proper time they would be
known in the general public
Gaines, Tenn, inquired if Lowering
was not Il warm personal friend OF
William Nelson Cromwell. Lowering
admitted that he was. Responding to
questions by Shacllleford, the Massa-
chusetts member said that personally
he was not q client of Mir Cromwell
but he was Il member OF corpora
ton that had retained his services.
Upon the suggestion of Gaines OF
for and that the speech had been sent
for and tn lathe speech should pro-
coed no further until he had arrived,
Lowering yielded the floor temper
arily.
In 4 short time Rainey entered tie
chamber ana explained that his Balt-
more engagement woulC prevent his
remaining throughout Coverings
speech. but that he later would answer
it should he find it necessary
Lowering then declared that the evil
derce was complete and sufficient to
Convict the blackmailers, who have
tried to work their game not only
on the gentleman | have named but
on both political parties
Last fall, he said an effort was made
to sell the stories to the Democratic
campaign committee and certain Lead
els OF that party took them under con-
slderation. but that's they We're not
used because they. could not be sub
stantiated. He charged that for near
ly two years prior to that time 1.-The
same men had been pursuing Cromwell
with the expectation that he would
pay them large sum of money, vary
ing from 5000 to $4,000 They thought
ne would pay to have these stories
suppressed" Lowering declared that
tnoSe persons We're always met by Mr..
Cromwell with an indignant refusal
and the reply that they might do
what they pleased with their stories.
for they We're nothing but lies" These
same persons, he said, told Mr.. Crom-
well that even though there be no
truth in this story Buy and bury it."
1t WAS at this time, he said. when they
mad failed in all their demands upon
Mr.. Cromwell. that they took their
M 1ar'ous wares to Mr.. Mack, chair
man Ct the Democratic National Com
rnltt"e. and offered them for sale for
camraIgn purposes. While they were
not accepted he said. members Of the
Democratic party entered into
an agreement with Rainey Ito
exploit the subject on the raor
OF the House This he at
ten'red to do by introducing a resolu-
ton If inquiry" He added. however.
that "singulariy enough, Rainev had
taken no steps to bring about any in
vestlsation." Lowering said tina: after
these professional blackmailers had
failed to extract money from any OF
THESE sources they in their desperation
caused them to be published and the.
appeared in the New York World
lowering could not saw whether the
World laid for the stories ana ha
stated that whether the gentleman
from Illinois get his information FROM,
ire Now York World or directl,. fror,
these blackmalers. does not natter
Rising in his place. Rainey declared
ne had received no Information from
either source. II know nothing OF anv
p'ack.naiiers. he asserted, neither
nave | received any information from
the New York World"
In the whole Panama transaction.
Lowering said. there were no secrets
except such as suspicious minds have
conJured M or We're inspired to imag-
HE. He said he never knew of Mr.
cromwell doing a single improper ac.
IN connection with that or apy other
transaction whatever in the United
States. In France or on the isthmus