Juniata Sentinel And Republican

Secretary of State, Hon. M. S. Quay, on the Insinuating Charges of Mr. Gowen.

An inquiry by a citizen of Mauch Chunk, relative to the insinuating charges of Mr. Gowen against Governor Hartranft's Administration, is made of Hon. M. S. Quay, as follows:

Hon. M. S. Quay--SIR: You have doubtless seen the outrageous charges made against you, and the administration, of corrupt means used in last year's election. The charges are so gross, and coming from (it is alleged) a convicted felon, they would hardly be worth notice; but as they have taken some root, and responsible persons have seen fit to give credence and publicity to the falsehood, it would be well for you to meet it by prosecution, or by as public a denial by stating facts.

Yours, &c.,
W'M. LILLY.
Mauch Chunk, August 23, 1876.

And is answered by Mr. Quay, thus:

Beaver, Pa., Aug. 25, 1876--Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of 23d instant, in reference to certain "charges made against me and the administration, of corrupt means used in last year's election." You allude, I presume, to an extract from the argument of Hon. F. B. Gowen, in the case of Munley, recently tried in the oyer and terminer of Schuylkill county, which has been extensively quoted by the Democratic press of the State, and pointed with a specific charge of the purchase of certain Democratic leaders of Schuylkill for a given sum of money.

Mr. Gowen's statement is as follows: "I have received information of meetings between some of the highest officers of the State and the chief of the murderers, at which large sums of money were paid to secure the votes of this infernal association to turn the tide of a State election."

The newspaper interpretation of the remark is, that I paid to John Kehoe, John J. Slattery and Bernard Dolan, officers of the organization commonly known as Mollie Maguires, twenty-three hundred dollars for the votes of that organization at the last election.

If by "some of the highest officers of the State," Mr. Gowen here intends, myself, or any high officer of Gov. Hartranft's administration, his information is false. As to the newspaper comment it is, perhaps, sufficient to say that I have never, nor has any person acting for me or with my knowledge ever paid to the persons named, or any or either of them, any sum of money to secure the votes of any organization with which they may be connected, or for any other purpose whatsoever.

The charges are out of the "whole cloth" and wickedly false--no foundation whatever for them so far as I, or this department, or the State administration is concerned. I am at a loss to see why or how we should be dragged into them, except as a party dodge to make votes out of such a matter, and why Mr. Gowen should do as he has done, is more than I can surmise or say. He has been egregiously imposed upon, if he is honest in his position.

I am, with much respect your obedient servant,
M. S. QUAY.
Gen. Wm. Lilly, Mauch Chunk, Pa.