Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-11
PENROSE ASKED TO SEE IT
Given Forty-Eight Hours to Decide
to Drop Gubernatorial Candidate.
ALTERNATIVE TO BE EXPOSURE

1.-The Revelation Has Amazed and
Revolted U.s." Says Letter
Written to Senator.
PHILADELPHIA. October 1.-THE fol-
the residence of Senator Penrose, 1881
Spruce street:
10 pm, October 10, 1910.
To the Hon. Boies Penrose, United States
senator:
the organization of the republican party
in Pennsylvania. Your sway is practical
ly undisputed. Your wish and will re-
ceive ready acquiescence and execution
from the agencies of the party machine.
This Is not now referred to In a critical
spirit or by way Of reproach, but simply
because 1t is fact, and a fact that at
present will enable you to perform a sig
nal service to the republican party in
the state and in the nation.
The North American assumes that you
desire republican success. both for the
partys sake and your own. On this as
sumption this letter is addressed to you.
If we are right therein, then. for the
liIIlc UclnS, you Will QcSlT0 LOT one mo-
tive an end which we desire for another
motive. You will want from partisan
and selfish reasons to avert disaster to
your party in this state under your lead
ership, while we desire, in the interests
of the public, to save republican voters
from humiliation and the commonwealth
from bliStering shame. We therefore in
woke the aid of your irresistible control
OF the party organization.
Penrose Held RESPONSIBLE.
In June last, at your dictation. or at
least under your direction, the republican
state convention nominated John K.
Tener for the Office Of governor. His Sc
lection was unanimous. Such was your
dominion over the delegates that all other
ambitions were silenced and all other
candidates were withdrawn. Not a vote
was cast for any one but the nominee of
your chOice-John X. Tener.
No doubt you had powerful political
reasons for selecting this man-reasons
which appealed personally to your leader
ship. Whatever appeared to be his limi-
tations, they were not sufficient to deter
you from presenting him to the people
of Pennsylvania for their chief executive.
You thought you knew him sufficient
ly Well to name him as candidate
of a campaign. We are convinced that
you did not know him as he is-that
you did not know the real Tener. On
no other assumption would your action
in naming him be reconcilable with
This journal thought it, too, knew
him. and therefore opposed him, and
has continued to oppose him. We are
convinced. however, that we were mis-
real John X. Tener We are con-
WINGED that both of us were in ignor-
ance Of the true character and record
Of the man.
Appalled, at Disclosures.
Recently We have been engaged in in
vestigating fraudulent corporations-par-
ticularly those get-rich-quick companies
that plumber the public by lying pros
pectuses. by deceitful false pretenses.
and by those various artful devices that
Mr.. Roosevelt has called Grimes of
cunning" During this investigation we
have discovered the true character of
your candidate for governor, John K.
Tener. The revelation has amazed and
revOlted us. Low as our estimate Of him
already was. we have been appalled, at
the disclosures revealing his true char
acter as shown by his interest in such
corporations and his relations to their
promoters. We believe the facts will
appall and repel you also.
Should John K. Tener remain a can
dfdate for governor. it will be the duty
of this journal to lay the facts in our
possession before the public in order
that they may advisedly pass upon his
fitness for the high public trust to
we believe. that he is wholly unfit for
that trust, and that no self-respecting
citizen can vote for him for any Office
We have no wish to make a sensa-
tional publication Of the information that
has come to our knowledge. Our duty
as a public journal is to prevent, il
possible. such a man as John K. Tener
from becoming governor Of this state.
This can be accomplished in two ways:
Either by your procuring him to resign
the nomination or by our exposing his
character to the people. and thus Sc
curing his defeat at the polls. We be-
lieve that If you knew the facts in our
possession as to his true character you
party, and your political friends and
supporters, adopte the first course sug-
gested.
Penrose Asked to See Proofs.
In order to give you an opportunity to
use your political power for the public
benefit the editor Of this journal will.
any time within the next forty-eight
hours, lay all the facts In our posses
sion respecting John X. Tener before you
in order that you may act in the prem
ises as your sense of public duty shall
dictate.
If you desire, you may have any repu-
table member of the bar you wish accom-
pany you and examine the evidence. We
would also suggest that you ask the
present honorable executive OF the state.
Edwin S. Stuart, to be present and in
form himself of the truth. He has been
asked by you to speak in support Of
John X. Tener. and is entitled to know
the kind of a man he is to advocate as
his successor. The people trust Gov.
Stuart, and his judgment will be valuable
to you.
II. after you have examined the evil
dence we shall present to you. Tener
shall be withdrawn as a candidate. this
ma per will consider its duty performed In
connection with the facts in its posses
sion.
If. however you do not avail yourself
of this opportunity to relieve your party
and its organization of an unworthy cam
diate, we shall deem it our duty to lay
before the public. without reserve. the
evidence that shows that John X. Tener
Is such a man and would not be an hon.
est governor. and that his candidacy is a
nubiic shame and disgrace. Respectfully
yours,
I'm to . O'Clock this afternoon the North
American had not announced having re-
ceiyed a reply from Senator Penrose.
30 IS UAccAlo