The Ohio Scandal

Washington, Jan. 18.- Tha report of the ballot-box committee. whioh last session made au extensive investigatlon into Ohio political affaire in oonnection with allegad Bubscriptions by members of ConRTess of stock in a patent ballotbox, was on Nfonday present ' to the House by Mr. Mason (Hl.), the chairman of the Investigating committee of five. The main report, which is sigtied by all the membera oí the committee, finds that the alleg-ed contract was prepared bj' Richard G. Wood. and that all the signatures thereto were forged; that the forgeries were committed by R. (ï. Wood; Frank and L. Milward and Frank S. Davis were the forgers, but that Wood was the only one who had any evil intent. The report says that Mr. Foraker aided in nttering the forgery by exhibiting the paper to several persons, and delivering it to Mr. IJjlstead. who also aided in its utterance by publishing it in the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, but the committee finds that neither knew at the time that the paper vras a forgery. The report also exonerates all of the persons whose names appeared on the paper from any corrupt eonnection with or interest in the ballot boxes which were said to be the subject of the alleged contract. A supplementary report, signed by all the members of the committee save Mr. Mason. declares that Wood's conduct in his negotiations with liovernor Foraker was sufficient to disclose hii depravity, and that a close scrutiny of the forged paper must have shown its character. This is given as a reason for scoring the exGovernor, who shcrald have taken steps to ratify the facts contained n the paper beforc making it public. ïr. Halstead is severely eriticised for ;he publication in his paper of the 'orged document, with only the name of Mr. Campbell attaehed. suppressing all other signatures. This action is denounced as almost as reprehensible as ;he original fabrication of the paper. The entire incident is declared to be an example of political methods deserving .he condemnation of all parties and of all good citizens. Mr. Mason disagrees with his coleagues in that portion of the report above given. lie declares that the only offense of Messrs. Foraker and Ilalstead consisted in allowing themselves x be deceived. He says they have done all in their power sinee as honorable men to make amenas, and to ask more of them would be unjust.