Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-08
Record Particularly Bitter in,
Discussing Political Bomb
Exploded by Governor
Brumbaugh
OTHERS ARE LENIENT
Press Reproves Executive for Part in
Case-Bulletin Calls
1t ''Mess"


editorial page.
The following are excerpts from to-
days editorials:
PUBLIC LEDGER
AS Governor Brumbaugh has seen ht to
draw the Public Ledger into the issue,
plain statement of facts becomes neces-
sary. When the Oliver check and its i'm
plications were first drawn to the attention
of the Public Ledger Il made careful
inquiry to verify the facts. and failing to
secure the material evidence to justify
publication. it dropped the matter. When,
however, less than n week ago the docu-
ments in the case were produced the
Public Ledger took more than its usual
precautions to hear both sides Instead of
intrusting the inquiry TO the casual Serv-
ice of a correspondent the editor of the
Public Ledger accompanied by mem
Der OF the editorial staff, called upon the
Governor by appointment and laid the
evidence before him.
Governor Brumbaugh explicitly stated
that the facts had been in his possession
since March 16, when Mr.. Killing, as
emissary from Senator oliver. brought
them to him from Washington. Governor
Brumbaugh further said that he had been
assured by Mr.. Killing that there was
nothing to worry about" that he did not
think that Senator Oliver would give pub
licity to the facts and that his advice to
the Governor was to forget it, The
Governor said that he did not know what
basis Mr.. Killing had for this assurance
but would like to communicate with him
and find out He asked, therefore, that
the PUBLIC LEDGER should withhold any
decision as to the publication of the facts
until he could see Mr. Killing and COM
municae further with the editor of the
Public Ledger. This was entirely in har-
mony with the wishes and purposes of
the Public Ledger. and the Governors
request was agreed to. The same evening
Mr.. Killing, speaking, AZ he said, from the
Governors mansion in Harrisburg. called
UP the editor of the Public Ledger on
the telephone and asked that no publca
tiOn of the matter be made until he could
see Senator Oliver, when he would again
communicate with the editor of the Pub
lie Ledger. AS this was i'm accord with
the explicit understanding with the Gov
ernor at Harrisburg q few hours pre-
viously, assent was, of course, given.
lThat compact was strictly kept by the
@Public Ledger. but this newspaper re-
Aeived no further communication either
fom Governor Brumbaugh or MIR. Killing
The issue of the Governors statement !
therefore, was made in disregard of the
agreement made wholly on his initiative
and at his own request.
Governor Brumbaugh's statement that I
on their return from Harrisburg the edi. /!
tors of the Public Ledger met Senator ,
oliver is, to say the least disingenuous 4
arrival at North Philadelphia, and both /
editors were at loss to account for his 1
knowledge that they were on that train |
or even mat they had been in Harrisburg /,
The Senator stated that "overtures for /
peace" had been made from the Governor, /
and that as he had no desire to 'iniure (,
Governor Brumbaugh" it was not his pur-
pose to press for the publication of the |
facts concerning his brothers check; but !
he added that, as the Public Ledger was (
in possession of the facts, it must make its /
own decision as to publication. Governor |
Brumbaughs statement yesterday marks |
n new phase of the situation, and JUS |
titles the publication in another column |
of the facts as they are known to the Pub /
lie Ledger concerning the oliver contribu- /
tion- and the Governors election expense T.
RECORD.
Now we know why Governor Brum-
baugh consulted with his political war
board on Thursday, including Brother
Bin Ware, Attorney General Brown and
several others, They were considering
tome charges ready 10 be exploded by the
7enfose outfit in an effort to blow the :
boom for President some-
where near as high as Sulzer boom for
President was blown n few year ago. II
appears that the explosive ready for ac-
ion was of the same destructive proper
les as that used TO disturb the smile
II Honest Bill Sulzer, and which re-
Iulted in his impeachment as Governor Of
Sew York.
Having been warned of the contemplated
explosion. Governor Brumbaugh appears
o have decided to dampen the powder or
he opposition by throwing some water
N IL, lighting The fuse and trusting to
lck for what may happen when the noise
( the explosion reaches the ears Of the
'oters of Pennsylvania.
Only foolish persons will attempt to
orecast the outcome OF such a mess. II
5 most unfortunate that the Governor
annot deny that while he was a candi-
late for Governor he accepted a check
or $1,000 from Pittsburgh plutocrat
Who made his millions in steel during the
lays OF the good old tariff. But he ad-
nits he took the money and did not ac-
cunt for il in his sworn statement OF re-
,eipts and expenses, excusing this on the
ground that the $1,000 was a personal
rift for his personal uses.
II there were a state of harmony with
n the c. o. p. of Pennsylvania we might
sxpect this explanation TO prove accept
able 10 all of the faithful followers within
the State at least but with so much bad
blood, and with the ashcart sign so prom
lnent IN our State and local politics, is II
any wonder that even before some of the
men OF vicious minds in the camp of the
PanrOse outfit had time for a second
thought. after reading the Governors ex-
ilanation their first speculation related TO
he possibilities of other personal gifts 10
more than one always willing servant OF !
he common people never accounted for in |
worn campaign expense statements?
THE PRESS.
The 5000 check which Governor Brum-
augh received and explains In his state
aent published this morning makes a [
ather pitiful story which We regret had
D he told at all The Governors state
nent that he received the check as a !
lersonal gift from an old friend and kept !
= proceeds unspent until after election /
s q complete answer 10 the question why |
= did not include It In his return of his /
ampaign receipts N
It would have been more prudent as 1
e needed the money, to have allowed /
IS Superintendent OF Schools salary 70 I
an on until his resignation took effect I
I'D had used Mr. divers gift for his /
ampaign expenses and made return OF I
ae same. This would have had a better i
1pearance. but he did not anticipate hav-
3 this check with his Endorsement flashed
pom him behind locked doors with de- I
ana for his withdrawal from his CAM
zikn Tor the Republican nomination for
resident Of the United States.
he should not withdraw from his
Indldacy on account Of this check. II / I
5 story Is true-and who viii doubt r.