The Washington times., 1912-10-24
OLD PARTIES FAIL
IN ATTEMPTS TO
HURT PROGRESSIVE
Misfortune for Senators at
Clapp Campaign ]
Inquiry. |
-. : : =. - -.
BEyERIDGE: CASE. !
DISCOMFITS THEM
r., 'r---------------.4-= = y
Indiana Foes Of Recent Witness
~ Find He Returned Big !
J T." :; Contributions. - Z

A peculiar htbility to misfortune
seems to attend the efforts OF the Re-
Dublican and Democratic members OF
the Clapp committee to make political
capital against Progressives. The only
Progressive on the committee is'Chair-
man Clapp, who has been overruled in
some Of the decisions Of the COMMITTEES.
From Indiana came inspiration for an
attack on former Senator Beveridge,
who Is q candidate for governor, on
the Progressive ticket, ana has been
made the target OF a particularly bitter
opposition, with the result that he is
making a tremendous run. so It was
decided to go into the contributions TO
tho Beveridge campaign o. 1901 for elec-
tion to the Senate.
So some Indiana witnesses were sum-
moned, including Mr.. EeveridSe him
self. to tell about the campaign ccntri-
Perkins was on the stand he told Of
Senator Beveridge returning $4,000
which he Perkins, has procured from
the national committee for Beveridge's
fight. with, the explanation that Il was
not needed This put Mr.. Beverijge in
q particularly good position. The man
who returns campaign funds with the
explanation that he doesn't need them
is rarity indeed. This was what Bow
eridge did, to the extent, as It first
appeared. OF this $4,000
Sum Much Larger.
But now It develops that the sum was
much larger than this. In fact, Mr..
Beveridge returned total OF $50, 900 that
came through Mr.. Perkins, $4,000 that
came from a cousin, Edward Mclean,
in Ohio. and 1850 that was sent him
by Clifford Pinchot.
Mr.. Perkins, after his testimony be-
fore the committee a few days ago,
promised to find. II possible. the letter
from Senator Beveridge. which accom-
panied the returned contribution. He
has now been made public. II follows:
Dear Old Man:
Herewith ! return you untouched the
splendid sum You so generously sent
me to help me In the battle just won.
II was noble Of you. George-charac-
aer,stic OF your great big. loyal heart.
yond words to express. But could not
use a cent OF the maSnifcent Amount
YOU placed at my disposal, and so re-
turn II to you intact.
DO not feel offended at this My
cousin sent me a draft for S25, ,0oO. 90
twenty-hve thousand dollars), and
returned the draft to him Just as / am
sending the inclosed back TO you.
Your beautiful friendship, steadily
proved as the years pass, is very sweet
and dear to me.
Give my regards to our mutual
friends, my love to the folks at home.
appreciation.
New York. November eth"
Friendship of Old.
Indiana opponents Of Mr.. Beveridge
have been sadly discounted by these
revelations. It appears that the old
friendship Of Mr.. Perkins for the Indi-
ana man dates back to some OF their
experiences as very young men. Beve-
ridge was selling books In Iowa to work
his way through college,. and Perkins
was settling life insurance. They got
acquainted out there, and q friendship
started that has continued ever since.
The anti-Progressive elements are now
determined TO go ahead with the lead
that has thus far panned out SO un-
fortunately for them. They are trying
TO show that In 1904 Beveridse was dis
satisfied with the support the State
committee was givin ghim, in his cam
paign. and sought outside money to
enable him to run his own fight for cleo
tion OF the Republican legislative nomi-
nees But the fact that, after the
money was sent to him, he refused to
use II, and went ahead and won his fight
without 1t. has appeared a pretty COM
plete answer to any theory OF that sort
The Clapp committee had no witnesses
today. but expects to meet tomorrow,
when one Indiana witness will be pres
ent, at least.