The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-19
C0NIFF TALKS
Gives His Side Of Controversy Ir
Which Es-Firemsn Kelly
Figures
Wheeling, May IL.

To the editor OF The Intellieenceri
There appeared In Monday morn
ing's lntelligencer a statement OF
Chief Altmyer. accompanied by a let
ter said 70 have been written to him
by Mr.. William Kelly. and the affi-
davit OF Mr.. Kelly. and also the afr
davit Of Mr.. Ritz. that he believed
that | inspired the publication OF the
circular which he said Mr.. Hilton had
distributed about the city on Satur-
day last. The purpose OF this com
ment. which had no foundation what
ever. In fact. was to connect In some
way Dir. Warehouse with the publI-
cation OF Mr.. Hilton. | desire TO as
sure these gentlemen that neither nv
self nor anybody interested In Mr..
Waterhouse had anything whatever TO
do in any manner. shape or form. d.
rectly or Indirectly with Mr.. Hilton's
publication, unless II be true; and
whether II Is true OF not | do not
know. | am quite sure that Mr..
Kelly did not write Mr.. Altmyer the
letter that appeared in the paper and
am quite sure that Mr. Kelly had no
reason whatever To base the state
ment that he thought I inspired the
article written by Mr.. Hilton. But
| presume Mr.. Kelly and Mr.. Altmyer,
and no doubt others. thought thnt my
visit TO Mr.. Kelly could be turned
Into some advantage because IL oc-
Cured near the time that Mr.. Hiltons
publication was spread about the city
and no doubt these gentlemen thought
IL was a shrewd move. Perhaps II
was. but maybe II was not.
These are the facts: had heard
II rumored that prior to the primary
election between DIT. Haskins and Mr..
White contributions had been made
In the fire department 10 be used
against one OF the candidates. [
thought / would go TO some one who
had been in the FIRE department and
get the facts. went TO see Mr.. Kelly
who told me that he hesitated about
seeing me at first. until he was sure
that | was not a representative OF 1T
HRskins. He told me. after had said
TO him. that ! did not want TO make
any statement with reference to the
assessments before or after the pri-
mary unless they were true. that he
did not know OF any assessments be
fore the primary. but since the prl-
mary there had been an assessment of
SO per man I'm the fire department
and that he refused 20 pay his. and
said that there was no use in the
committee coming TO him. and that in
the water department an effort had
been made 20 assess Mr.. jenkins $50
and MIR. Scrogins s35. He said that
he probably could have seen the list
containing subscriptions. hut not hav-
ing contributed himself. he had taken
no interest in trying 10 see r.. but
said he thought he could get II the
following day. ami II so. he would be
glad 10 let me see IL.
The letter which appeared I'm the
paper 20 which Mr. Keliy's name was
signed. concluded 10y saving that he
would have made no reference to my
visit. except FOR the fact that hc
thought there was an effort 20 iniure
Dr. HasLins by reflecting on Mr. Alt
myer. = The last statement is true.
and cane from Mr.. Kelly. 7 ana ~
loss 20 understand WHY Mr. Kelly not
only assured me that he was Toirr 20
vote for Mr. Warehouse. but that his
brother Edward. would also vote 'or
him. and gave me numerous suCEcs-
lions about how he and his bro
Their could be % service 10 Mr. Water
house II Mr.. Kelly was deliberately
ialsifying in these matters he Is en-
titled 10 al the ElOrl that one. uhO
PLAYS such q trick. can got ONT Of b..
In this same connection Mr. Kelly
informed mo OF practice with which
me was familiar. that me- claimed oc-
CURED af North Wheeling bv which
ballots. on election dag wore Illegally
cX,racted from the voting place and
taken to the outside so that what is
Known as the endless chain co.'i
be worked.
desire 20 inform him and those
who wrote bis letters .or him that
shall see That Doc is invited before thc
next grand fury o. ohio count. 20
'cil what Doc told me ~ rho methods
heretofore pursued iu No-'l Wheel
ing towards 'NtrIcf'uc ballots from
Tho voting places on election d.t O
would IKE to suggest further to Nr
Kelly and those who soon fo have Dis
confidence that 20 ViU not huri hum
'o Boo decent 90 thie campaign
since preparing the above. have
received definite. reliable inrorma-
zion That 900 assessment az s. por
man w1s made BOO rho fire department
before 'ho Republican primary aud
THAT % member of fic department has
loo bis possession receipt fog such am
amount q am ready. Dr. tn.- state
meut i7 denied. to Give the iuforma.
r.on have.
join =. CONIFF.