The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-10-30
Shows Influence ArChbO,d Let.
ters Had on Willis.
ACTED ON ORDERS Sent OUT

charge that Frank B. Willis, Repub.
lican gubernatorial nominee, was In
by Standard Oil while a
of the general assembly. The
affidavit was by Charles H. Gerrish,
former clerk of the Ohio house OF
who was Mr.. Willis
in the recent primary fight.
Governor Cox said in his speech:
mot long ago took occasion to
quote a letter from John ID. Archbold
to Senator Marcus A. Hanna, which
letter related to resolution intro
6uced into the Ohio legislature by
Mr.. Willis, who was then a member
of that body. The letter In full was
as follows
2s Broadway. New York.
Jan. 10, 1900
Dear Senator-The matters regard
ing which l wanted to talk with you
this afternoon are those Of threatened
and very Objectionable legislation at
Columbus. The first Is a bill intro
duced by Mr. Russell OF Meigs,
amending the so-caIled antitrust law
In way that would be most ob1ec-
tionable to every corporate interest
In the state Probably you are fami-
liar with this bill.
The second is n most malicious res
olution for an investigating commits
tee to be headed by Griffin OF Lucas,
giving them power to investigate
pretty much everything within the
state from the supreme court down.
The resolution does not limit the ex-
pense OF the investigation and au-
thorizes the employment OF counsel.
II is said to be the intention OF the
committee to employ Mr.. Monnett az
the counsel. We want to enlist you
actively and promptly to the defeat OF
these measures. They are undoubt-
edly inspired by Monnett and his fol-
lowers, and their purpose Is unques-
ti0nably OF the most vicious charac-
ter .The appointment OF the ma
rauding' committee comes up by
agreement on the 25th, so that 1t as
we'll as the other should be attended
to very promptly VIII you do every
thing possible to compass their de-
feat? Shall be glad to hear from you
promptly.
nclose you clipping from The
Plain Dealer describing the Willis
resolution.
Very truly yours,
JOHN ID. ARCHBOLD.
Hon. NJ. A, Hanna, Washington
ID. G.
fPage 1Ih42, Congressional Record
Senate, Aug. 22, 1879
ut will be noted that this letter l:
dated Jan. 10. On Jan. 25, on motion
OF Mr.. Willis, the author of the Willis
resolution to investigate corporations
In this state, the resolution was re
ferred to the judiciary committee o
the house and never again heart
from.
"Mr. Willis has hedged and dodget
the issue. And has demanded tina
! produce the affidavit. So tonight
here In the home of Standard OIL
here where John ID, Rockefeller wa
citizen before the Warnes Law
caused him to seek residence In an
other state. where, in the presence o
people who are familiar with STAND
ard OIL methods, desire to read tn
following affidavit:
State OF Ohio, Franklin County. ss:
Charles II. Gerrish. being first duly
sworn, dcposes and says:
At the beginning OF the legislative
session Of 1900, was acting as In
structor to the then clerk OF the
house, my term as clerk having ex-
pired with the election OF Mr.. Nc
Elroy.
During that legislative session, M
was customary at that time, the
large interests kept close watch OF all
legislation through attorneys and leg
islative agents. Being advised that
house resolution No. 22, by Mr.. VIII
is was regarded as inimical to GER
t1in interests which I represented,
called on w. 3. McItinnm. who was
Republican floor leader and chairman
of the finance committee, and brought
the views OF tho interests which
represented regarding house resolu-
tion No 20 TO his attention He at
once took me to the once OF Auditor
OF state Gullbert. who sent for Troas-
urer OF State Isaac Cameron, After
hearing what | had to say about tho
resolution. Messrs. Guilbert. Cameron
and McISnuon told me they would
take care of IT, and l thereupon re-
ported accordingly.
A few days later the resolution was,
upon the motion OF Mr.. willis. the
author, referred to the Judiciary com
mttee OF the house. which was
| known nt thnt timo ns the graveyard
| OF the undesirable legislation. The
| Willis resolution was not reported out
| by the Judiciary COMMITTEES and was
not again called up by its author, II
died In the committee with the legis-
lative session.
| Eli NJ West ami other prominent
Republicans are familiar with all of
the facts connected with the willis
resolution.
G. II. GERRIsH.
Sworn 10 and subscribed before ms
this 18th day OF October. 1914.
j. 8. Staten,
Notary Public. Franklin County. Ohio
My commission expires March 17th
1918.
III, In placing his antitrust resol
tion in the legislative graveyard Al
keeping II there until the close Of 4
session, Mr.. Willis was not permitti
himself 10 be used as a tool of the b
interests. why did he refer his reso
tion to the judiciary committee. n
having done so, when that co
m!ttee did net report It back to I
house In due course. why did not n
willis demand that II be reported
"If Mr. willis will not answer the
questions, the people Of Ohio will ,
swer them for him."