The Detroit times., 1910-03-04
.QUAY'S WARNING
WORDS UNHEEOEO
Nine of Conspirator Band in State
Capitol Scandal Are Dead. Others
Shattered in Health.

HARRlSBU RG, IA, MGCu
Have nothing 10 do with the ouild-
ing OF the new state capitol. Those
who do will have cause 10 regret,
was the hands or warning sounded
years ago by Matthew Stanley Quay
when al the zenith OF his rule in Penn
sylvania. Whatever his reasons. de-
yelopments have shown that his warn
ing was not ill.tmed. and had several
OF his henchman followed his advice,
II is likely that nine men now dead
one a suicide, one victim OF sud
den death. third going 70 his final
resting place after months In mad
house and six. victims OF worry fol-
lowing the exposure OF the whole
sale grating which tctalled millions
would still be in the land OF the liv-
ing. Three were close personal friends
OF the Beaver statesman-one OF them
raising 10 high state office and sew
eral becoming trusted employees Of
state departments through their affilia-
tions with Quay's all powerful ma
chine.
Broken in Health.
Two others have been convicted Of
conspiring 10 defraud the state. Both
are broken in health and one has sew
eral times been reported on the brink
OF the grave Another is about to be
tried for the part he is alleged 10 have
played in looting the treasury. Still
another. though acquitted by a jury,
has been forced by the people TO re-
tire from the high position he former
~ held and his successor has been
sent 10 the national house OF repre-
sentatives. Still others are under in
Gictment liable at any time 10 arraign-
menJ for their part in the oonspiracy
which took nearly $4,000. 900 from the
state without warrant OF law.
In September 1905. when the state
officials announced that the state cap
itol had been completed within the ap-
preparation Of $4,000 900 made by the
legislature for the purpose and that
a surplus Of $50 600 would be returned
70 the state treasury. each OF the nine
men who afterward died were in ex-
cellent health The announcement
that for once a Pennsylvania admin
istration had carried out its work well
within the figure named by the legis
lature was acclaimed from one end OF
The state to the other.
Two months later state Treasurer
William II Berry was elected 10 office,
the Democrats and the reform move
ment combining and electing their
candidate on the strength of the
scandal which followed the failure of
the Enterprise Bank Of Pittsburg
Arrangements were made for the for
nal dedication OF the capitol and
when Gov Pennypacker euioRized the
work OF he builders and again called
attention 10 the work of officials
whose economy was so unusual. an
other wave OF enthusiasm swept the
state But only for a few days did II
last Berry had been in Office for sew
eral months and within a week %
the pronunciamento of Gov Penny
packer he thrilled The state with the
declaration that the building. instead
of costing si000000. had more nearly
cost $4,000 600
All felt that after the heat Of a pol
itical campaign had died out the
charges would be forgotten. and even
/ in January. 1907 when the legislature
announced its intention Of carrying
out prediction promises by thor.
oueh investigation OF Berrys charges,
all were confident that the Republican
controlled lawmaking body could pre-
/ vent exposures which might damage
+ the party In power But once Il be-
came evident. that rock-ribbed organ
/ izatior men were going 20 cast Of the
woke and give an honest investiga-
/ tion Immediately the nervous break
downs which resulted in death began
/ II vas on Feb. ?. 1897. that the old
State Capitol was burned under most
mysterious circumstances Never has
the origin OF the FIRE been discovered
and though l2 years have elapsed. n
is still common belief that IL was the
work Of an incendiary. and some have
been so bold as to connect the
scheme for the loOting OF tho state
treasury with the burning Of the old
structure.
Whatever the cause. II was not un-
I I'll 1901 that the actual work on the
new building began Under Gov
Hastings, IN Office at the time OF the
FIRE vigorous efforts were made by
him 10 provide the state with a sulr.
able capitol He was met with con.
stant rebuffs An appropriation OF
$3.50 200 was made. and despite tho
clamor OF the people that such an
amount was too small with which 10
build a state house no further ap.
preparation was made during tho
Hastings administration and practi-
cally no work was done on the amount
provided.
Shortly after Gov William A. Stone
took Office ne actively urged a larger
appropriation. and $4,000 600 more
was appropriated Organization OF a
[
work ON the building started. but Il
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