AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PENNSYLVANIAN
Believe me, my dear sir, to be as ever your sincere and true friend,
Very respectfully,
Sam'l Moody,
Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker,
Executive Mansion, Harrisburg, Pa.
Dear Governor Pennypacker:
I think it is to your courtesy that I owe the copy of your Inaugural Address. I had intended to write to you to thank you for the address before I received this copy. I am so much obliged to you, as it seems to me that every man of intelligence should be, for your admirable and successful attempt to check the license of the press.
Our Vice President, Wilson, once said to me, I think with the tears in his eyes, that since the Tweed scandal no public man in America was sure for ten days that the press of America would not undertake to break down his character forever. Wilson said that since the New York Times won distinction by exposing the Tweed scandals, every newspaper man in America thought he could make himself famous by exposing somebody. He referred at that time to the habit of ascribing the worst possible motive to every act of every public man, which seems to be engrained now in the management of the daily press. That you have done so much to check this habit ought to be a matter of pride to you.
With great respect, I am,
Truly yours,
Edward E. Hale,
My dear Governor:
I learn that you have a most serious duty to perform to one of your profession. It is the appointment of several judges for Allegheny County. My friend, Judge Cohen, was appointed by Governor Stone and by reason of dissension in Republican ranks the whole Republican ticket, carrying the good judge with it, much to the regret of good citizens generally, was defeated.
All I can say is that, in my opinion you would make no mistake if you re-appoint him and I believe that I express the opinion of the best people of the “Smoky City.”
