PENNSYLVANIA FRAUDS! 
iOW STATE OFFICIALS TEACH A POLITICAL ARITHMETIC! 
What Dr. Paine knows of the Frauds of the 
Pennsylvania War Claims. 
His Persecutions, and a Plain Statement of Facts, 
History of the Philadelphia University, Etc. 
In 1856, I was induced by Dr. Calkins and other friends, to leave 
Ohio, where I was engaged in a large and lucrative practice, and come 
to Philadelphia to deliver a Course of Lectures on Anatomy. At the 
dose of the course, I returned to Ohio, resumed ray practice; in 1857 
repeated the Lectures, and the following year again gave a series of 
lectures on Anatomy, and also on Surgery, and the Practice of Medi- 
cine. These lectures were given in the Eclectic Medical College of 
Pennsylvania. At the close of the session of 1858, I resigned my 
Professorship in the Eclectic College, returned to Ohio, with the inten- 
tion of remaining in private practice, but the next year was again 
persuaded to accept a Professorship in the American College of Medi- 
cine in Pennsylvania, and was appointed Dean of the Faculty. In 
1858, I edited and published the Eclectic Medical Journal of Phila- 
delphia, and also published the Epitome of Surgery, Midwifery, and 
Materia Medica, and in 1860, the New School Remedies, in which I 
first announced the fact that the improvements we had made, and the 
new remedies discovered were so numerous as to result in a new system 
of practice, differing from all others in so much that it embraced a 
much broader range in practice, and united all that was new and 
useful with all that was previously known to the profession, thus giving 
to the student of medicine the advantage of all methods of treating 
■disease. ° 
In 1863 the Trustees of the American Medical College purchased 
the property of the Penn Medical University, the Pennsylvania Medi- 
cal College, and the Philadelphia Medical College ; these schools were 
r -Au^Tel1(^ ar*d names changed to the Philadelphia University 
of Medicine and burgery. Thus organized, an able corps of medical 
teachers was appointed, and the school grew in influence and useful- 
ness, so much so, that its patronage was quite as large as that of many 
of its older competitors. It will be remembered that while the medical 
instructions embraced all the principles of practical medicine and 
surgery known to the profession, the Old School, Eclectics, Homoeo- 
paths, etc., etc., it also included all the new resources and improve- 
ments instituted by my colleagues and myself. The Graduates, armed 
as they were, with all the new and old weapons with which to combat 
disease, met with wonderful success. This success of the Faculty and 
Graduates became so famous that a diploma from the Philadelphia 2 
University of Medicine and Surgery was a ready passport to secure an 
extensive and lucrative practice. My own practice embraced over 
fifty thousand patients annually, including every form of medical and 
surgical disease. The new remedies we had introduced, and thenew 
application of old ones enabled us to effect such astonishing cures, 
as could not have resulted by any other class of practitioners. This 
success and prosperity excited the envy and jealousy of other colleges 
and schools of medicine, and soon was manifested by their assaults 
upon us. The Old School commenced the usual cry, Quackery!!! 
Irregularity !!!; the Homoeopaths, that of Old School, having Beel- 
zebub as its father, while the Eclectics claimed that we gave Mercury 
and Antimony, and were no better than the Old School. Their oppo- 
sition only consisted in false reports, and the usual denouncements 
against all new discoveries and improvements, until the year 1867, 
when the Professors of the University of Pennsylvania united with 
their former enemies of the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania, 
and applied to the Legislature to break up the Philadelphia University 
of Medicine and Surgery. They succeeded in getting the Legislature 
to request the Board of Education to inquire into the matter, and cite 
the Trustees to appear before them, and give an account of the faith 
they held. They met their strangely allied opponents, the Eclectic 
Faculty and the Faculty of the Pennsylvania University, when, 
through their attorney, Cadwallader Biddle, Esq., they made known 
their grief, which consisted in charging the school with teaching 
heresy, and various other irregularities. At this time the diploma 
dodge was not thought of; the charges were so ridiculous, and so trans- 
parently the result of jealousy, that the Committee dismissed the sub- 
ject at once. Professors Rogers, Stille & Co., of the old regular Uni- 
versity, and Professor Buchanan & Co., of the Eclectic School, 
returned to their trades very much chagrined, and evidently of the 
opinion that some other subterfuge would be required in order to 
obstruct the progress of a school that was so rapidly obtaining all their 
students, and monopolizing the best practice of the city and country. 
Therefore, they adopted another form of tactics, and only a few weeks 
after their ignominious defeat in the Legislature, they, by some strange 
manipulation, obtained from that body, a charter, entitled, “ The 
American University of Philadelphia,” under the pretence that it was 
to be a colored school. No sooner had they obtained the charter, than 
they organized it as a branch of the Eclectic Medical College, and 
eommenced selling diplomas, and circulated at the same time the 
report that the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery was 
connected in this diploma trade. They even omitted the first part of 
their charter name, and simply styled their school, “ The Philadelphia 
University.” The recipients of these worthless certificates, in order to 
make them useful, represented them to be from the Philadelphia Uni- 
versity of Medicine and Surgery, and became so bold in the matter 
that they published a Medical Journal, and in several instances the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery was compelled to 
prosecute the parties in self-defence for publishing libelous articles. 
They also obtained further publicity to their slanderous writings 3 
in some of the secular papers, the publishers of which, were entirely 
ignorant of the facts of the case. In order to expose this new effort 
to break up the school, we publish frequent exposes in the Phila- 
delphia University Medical and Surgical Journal, which we edited at 
that time. The following are a few of the many exposures we made 
of them. From the November Number of 1869, we abstract the 
following:— 
SELLING DIPLOMAS. 
“ A libel, published in the Medical and Surgical Reporter, on the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, and which the edi- 
tors retracted, when the strong arm of the law was placed before their 
obtuse intellects, has developed a fact to which we called the attention 
of the profession a long time ago ; that is, that one or more of the medi- 
cal schools is selling diplomas. When I saw in the Medical and Sur- 
gical Reporter, a few years since, the advertisement of a certain pro- 
fessor, L.L. D,, etc., that he was acting as a general collegiate agent, 
and especially invited all students to call upon him, I suspected some- 
thing wrong, but it was not until one of the students of the Philadel- 
phia University of Medicine and Surgery, bought a bogus diploma, 
and represented himself as a graduate of that University, that the 
Faculty deemed it proper to investigate the matter. This subject was 
fully noticed in the Journal at that time. During the past summer 
another case occurred which is stranger still. A young man from 
Massachusetts entered the Philadelphia University of Medicine and 
Surgery and remained one term. After returning home, he wrote to 
inquire whether he could not receive his diploma. Upon being in- 
formed that he could only obtain it when he had finished his medical 
studies, he sent to the city, and bought one for fifty dollars; at least it 
is so stated by two students, now in attendance, from the same town. 
As I am informed that this very man who advertised in the Medical 
and Surgical Reporter is one of the parties engaged in this business 
will brothers Butler and Brinton explain to their readers how the 
thing is done? Cannot they make the Reporter pay, or what? We 
cannot believe that Dr. Brinton would add the bogus diploma business, 
to Dr. Butler’s real estate operations. A stop should be put to this 
traffic in medical deceptions, and it could be done effectually by estab- 
lishing a central medical board, where all medical students should be 
required to present their diplomas, and pass a rigid examination in all 
branches of medicine and surgery before allowed to practice their pro- 
fession. Make the standard high, and let all the pathies in the prac- 
tice of medicine be represented, the same as in the Royal College of 
Physicians and Surgeons in Canada, and this traffic in diplomas will 
cease, as it would be of value to the student only as it indicated his 
medical acquirements. We presented this whole subject before the 
Board of Education of this State during the sessions of the Legislature 
two years ago, but the University of Pennsylvania and others refused 
to co-operate with us, and the subject was abandoned for the time, but 
we intend to renew7 our efforts during the present session, and by some 
means, if possible, end this disgraceful diploma trade. 4 
February Number, 1870.—Bogus Diplomas.—ln the January 
number, we published a notice of a collegiate agency in Milwaukie, 
Wisconsin, which proposed to furnish diplomas from medical colleges 
and other educational institutions to such as needed them, simply as 
a matter of merchandise. 
Yesterday we received from another correspondent a card of a 
similar character, headed “ Collegiate Agency,” and signed, “ Dr. A. 
J. Hale, No. 214 Jacoby Street, Philadelphia. Accompanying the 
card are three letters, written by Dr. Hale to one of his correspondents. 
In the first, he appears to furnish the diplomas conferring the degree 
of M. D., for $BO, and A. M. for $5O. In the second, the medical 
degree is $5O, and urges his supposed applicant to send in his full name 
to be entered at once in the diploma. The third letter is as follows : 
Philadelphia, Penn., November 23, 1869. 
Dr. . Dear Sir:—Yours of the 19th instant to hand. 
Did not think it necessary to specify all the institutions conferring 
degrees. If you wish to apply to an Allopathic, I refer you to the 
Dean of one institution, the American University of Philadelphia, 
Professor John Buchanan, No. 225 North Twelfth Street. If yon 
wish to apply to an Eclectic School, Eclectic Medical College of Penn- 
sylvania, Professor Joseph Sites, Dean, 514 Pine street, Philadelphia. 
Both schools regularly organized and chartered by the State Legisla- 
ture, and honorable institutions. I refer you to the above named 
gentlemen for any further information in regard to the schools. 
Very respectfully, 
A. J. HALE, M. D., 214 Jacoby St., Phila. 
We think it quite evident that a systematic business of swindling, 
in the way of selling diplomas, has been carried on for some time in 
this country, with headquarters at Philadelphia. The Milwaukie 
concern is probably only a branch. Is it not time that efficient steps 
were taken to put an end to this swindling? The American University 
is a darkey concern, located—nowhere. It was not until this business 
had been carried on for a long time, that we became fully alive to the 
fact that a systematic effort was made by the enemies of the Philadel- 
phia University of Medicine and Surgery, to issue these diplomas from 
the American University of Philadelphia, and to make the public 
believe they were from the Philadelphia University of Medicine and 
Surgery. An investigation soon discovered the fact that the Medical 
and Surgical Reporter, and other Old School Medical Journals had co- 
operated with this gang of diploma venders to sell the diplomas, and 
cast the odium upon our school. They, absolutely sent their agents 
to the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, to matriculate, 
and attend lectures, so as to become acquainted with the students, and 
induce them to take their diploma, and leave the school, informing 
them that their diploma so closely resembled ours, that no one could 
know the difference, and besides that no one outside of the city knew 
that there were more than two Universities here. In several instances 
they induced students to accept their propositions, leave the school, 
and practice by this trickery. They not only succeeded in making 
money, but also in injuring the Philadelphia University of Medicine 
and Surgery. 5 
It was not, however, until the autumn of 1871, that they had an 
opportunity to do our school any serious damage. In August, 1871, I 
was called to see George 0. Evans, who was reported to be very sick 
in the Harrisburg Jail. I went to see him, and soon ascertained 
that he was more anxious to be released from prison than to be cured 
of any disease. The story he told me was that he had been appointed 
Agent to collect the War Claims due by the United States to the State 
of Pennsylvania, to the amount of about three millions of dollars; 
that he had collected the same according to contract with the State 
Officials; that he had paid over all the money with the exception of 
his commissions, which • were ten per cent.; that he had even paid a 
large proportion of this to parties who had assisted him in putting 
these claims through; that now these very men had got at variance 
because some had received more than others ; that they were endea- 
voring to make him disgorge that which rightfully belonged to him ; 
and that for the services he had performed, they had received infinitely 
more than he had. After hearing his statement, I left with a promise 
to call again. Upon my second visit, I met in his cell Mr. Samuel 
Moon who informed me that he wTas anxious to have Evans released ; 
that he would willingly go his bail, but his property was so situated 
that he could not do so ; that if I would go with him to see Governor 
Geary, I would be satisfied that everything was all straight; and 
that the whole thing would soon be fixed up. I went then to see the 
Governor, with him, at his house. He informed me that Evans was 
an honest and good man; that his arrest was caused by interested 
parties, who were not quite satisfied with the profits they had received 
out of the adjustment of the War Claims; that if Evans was out, the 
whole matter would soon be fixed up; and that if it were not for his 
official position he wrould go Evans’ bail himself so far as he was able. 
On my return to the prison, Mr. Evans showed me his books, receipts, • 
cancelled checks, contracts, letters, and papers, proving that he had 
paid over his portion of the funds to parties authorized by law to 
receive them; that he had even after the settlement, paid quite large 
sums of money as a hush fund; and that he had now so far spent the 
balance of his commissions, that he had nothing left. I replied, that if 
this was a legitimate business, and he had paid over all he was obliged 
to, I did not see why he should be compelled to pay back money. To 
which he remarked, that the claims he had to collect were of such a 
nature, that in many instances, he was required to pay largely to have 
them allowed, and to some parties he h id made larger promises than he 
could fulfil. He then showed me his memorandum in cipher, in wddch 
he had to purchase his influence from a large number of persons, beside 
paying largely for his appointment; that after paying them and his 
own expenses he had nothing left; that they were now7 quarreling 
among themselves, and with him, because he could not pay more ; 
and that his arrest was to squeeze more out of him. He also 
showed me a paper that had been presented to him, purporting to 
come State Officials, in which he wras to account for all the 
delinquencies himself and upon acknowledging these defects he 
would be set at liberty. After investigating the case, I consented 6 
to interest myself in securing his bail, on the condition that he- 
would place in my hands, all his papers, books, letters, and other 
evidence that he had paid over the principal portion of the money 
to the State Officials and others. To this he readily consented 
and I accordingly obtained Capt. J. Baker, of Chester, and his sister 
secured several others. A hail piece was drawn up, signed by myself, 
and others for the sum of SIOO,OOO for the appearance of George O. 
Evans in court. Upon the release of Mr. Evans, he went directly to 
New York, having previously handed me a few papers, promising to 
bring others, and deposit them with me, and also give me an indemnify- 
ing bond in a short time. Soon did I learn that he was far more ready 
to promise than to perform, and it was only after most positive' 
steps, and my absolute refusal to continue his bail, that he gave me 
his papers, as will be noticed from the following letter;—(Sent by 
Mr. Strahan, Evans’ attorney, to Governor Geary, a copy of which 
Evans sent to me, with a promise to bring the paper over at once.) 
New York, January 20, 1872. 
My Dear Sir.—Such information has just reached me from Phila- 
delphia, that almost convinces me, that owing to the proceedings of 
Moon, Mackey, and Hartranft to attack Dr. Paine, I am no longer 
able to control matters. Paine demands that all the information in my 
possession as to Hartranft and Mackey be placed unreservedly in his 
hands, otherwise he will withdraw his bail for Mr. Evans. This is a 
contingency I did not anticipate, and if it becomes a question between 
Evans and the officials, I shall not hesitate a moment as to how I shall 
act. I have received a request, which I cannot overlook, to be in 
Philadelphia on Sunday, to give my final decision. Igo this afternoon 
to Albany, and will return on Saturday morning. I wish you would 
let me know your views on this new complication by Saturday, for at 
present 1 candidly confess that matters look as if it were imperative 
upon me to retire and allow Dr. Paine to take charge. If Ido so, 
Mackey and Hartranft will be in custody in a very short time, and 
what may follow, God only knows. I beg you to give the matter your 
immediate attention, and advise me at once. Yours, Very Truly, 
JOHN H. STRAHAN. 
Then came this letter. 
Harrisburg, Pa., January 21st. 1872., 
Dr. Paine. 
• Dear Sir;—It is very important that you withhold all movements in 
the Legislature and bring no suit until I can have an interview with 
you. Hoping you will comply with this icquest. 
I am respcctfullv, vour friend, 
JOHN W. GEARY. 
A few days later, Mr. Evans and Mr. Strahan give me the follow- 
ing letters and papers: 
Colonade Hotel, Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1871. 
My Dear Sir:—I cannot see any reason for withholding executive 
clemency in the case brought to my notice this evening if properly- 
supported by the names of men of influence. Yours truly, 
JOHN W. GEARY. 
John H. Strahan, Esq. 7 
Geo. O. Evans, e* Dec- 26- 1871- 
Dear Sir: I have given the papers, letters, checks, etc., relating 
to the transactions with H. and M, to our mutual friend. As you have 
seen them I will not go into any description, but merely say that they 
are very full, and all that will be required. Yours truly, 
CHAS. T. YERKES, Jr. 
n Philadelphia, December 26, 1871. 
Deo. 0. Evans, Esq. 
Dear Sir :~ln case of need show this to our mutual friend who 
will let you copy any paper that may be required as proof, that the 
original can be procured when wanted by you. Yours truly, 
rm n n C. T. YERKES, Jr. 
. /he following are the subjects of a few of the documents delivered 
into ray hands:— 
1. Introduction to the collection of the War Claims by the State 
-treasurer, W. H. Kemble. 
2. Affidavit of C. T. Yerkes, Jr., December 23,1871, in reference 
to transactions with R. W. M. 
3. Affidavit of C. T. Yerkes, Jr., December 23,1871, in reference 
to transactions with J. F. H. 
4 Copy of letter J. F. H, to C. T. Y., Jr, December 21, 1869. 
Ealhoun mentioned therein was U. S. Pension Ao-ent 
5. Copy of letter, of J. F. H. to C. T. Y„ Jr., March 9, 1870. 
Ma]ckey and Hartranft’s settlement of the account of the Oil Creek 
Alleghany R R. Co., was taken out of their speculation, by the 
Attorney General. It would appear that this decision spoiled Oil 
Ereek as a future investment. 
6. Copy of letter, R. W. M. to C. T. Y, Jr, August 4, 1871, in- 
dosing draft OD State Treasury, in payment of his over due promissory 
note for $20,000 private account. J 
The following is a copy received of J. F. Hartranft’s due bill to 
George O. Evans:— 
Borrowed of George O. Evans, the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars. 
rfk7nnn nn J. F- HARTRAK FT. 
000,00. _ New York, March 31, 1871. 
As to the affidavits of C. T. Yerkes, Jr., I stated that the nature of 
these affidavits was such that I should like to see Mr. Yerkes’ books 
to ascertain if they corresponded with the statements. He promised to 
show them m a day or two. Mr. C. T. Yerkes called at my office 
took me in his carriage to his office on Third Street, and when in his 
bacK office, showed me his books, and compared the statements with 
those I had received from Mr. Evans. At the same time he pointed 
out how the books were kept in order to elude detection. 
During this time various efforts were made by the parties to 
fix up the Evans matter. 1 
At Mr. Evans’ request, I accompanied him to Harrisburg to see if I 
could assist him in the adjustment of his difficulties. Upon arriving 
there he repaired to the Governor’s house, and arrangements were 
made to meet all the parties for the purpose of a final settlement 8 
The meeting was held, and the subject talked over and over, yet no- 
satisfactory settlement could be arranged, and after spending nearly a. 
week, and becoming impatient at what I considered to be a covering 
up of frauds, I suggested to Mr. Strahan, Evans’ attorney, that if he 
would draw up a suitable set of resolutions, I would have them intro- 
duced into the Legislature, and have the whole subject properly 
investigated. He drew up the following, based upon the papers that 
Mr. Evans had placed in my hands : 
Whereas, John F. Hartranft, Auditor General, and Robert W. 
Mackey, State Treasurer, have been accused of illegally using monies 
of the Commonwealth, in applying the same in carrying on various- 
operations in Stocks, to the extent of several millions of dollars, and 
to the payment of their debts, and 
Whereas, the said State Officers are further accused of having used 
the monies of the Commonwealth in the purchase of the loans of the 
Commonwealth for their own benefit, particularly to the purchase of 
One Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars 
of the five per cent, loan of the Commonwealth, and Thirty-one Thou- 
sand and Fifty Dollars of the six per cent, loan of the Commonwealth, 
and of having sold the said Loans to the Sinking Fund of the Com- 
monwealth, at an advantage or profit to said Mackey of Two Thousand 
Nine Hundred and Forty-three Dollars and Fifty-two cents, and of an 
advantage or profit to said Hartranft of Two Thousand and Seven 
Hundred Dollars, and 
Whereas, the said Mackey is further accused of having received 
among other sums the following payments as interest on the monies of 
the Commonwealth, loaned, or deposited by him for an account of such 
consideration, viz:—on August 25, 1869, $677.50; on February 9, 
1870, $3320.50; in May 16, 1870, $347.50; and in October 5, 1871,. 
$5OOO, and ****** 
Therefore, Be it 
Resolved, (the Senate concurring) that a Joint Committee of the 
Senate and House of Representatives be appointed to inquire into the 
accusations aforesaid, and to report with power to send for persons, 
books, and papers. 
I attempted to have these resolutions introduced into the Legisla- 
ture, but after various efforts no one could be procured to do so, and 
great excitement and confusion resulted. I was also forcibly reminded 
that unless I left Harrisburg, and ceased meddling with other people’s 
business, I would lose my head. Upon this hint I took my departure. 
From the above it will be noticed that Evans, instead of putting the 
papers into my hands, as he had agreed, held them for the purpose of 
settling his own claims, and relieving C. T. Yerkes, Jr., from his 
complications. 
I had no sooner received them, than every effort was made to 
get them out of my hands, as will be noticed by the following:— 
New York, 1872. 
Dear Sir :—Please deliver to Mrs. Evans, the papers of Austins, 
and oblige. Yours sincerely, 
G. O. EVANS. 
To Dr. W. Paine, Phila, 9 
I refused. Then came the following:— 
Harrisburg, , —. 
Dr. Paine. 
Dear Friend:—Since last Saturday you can rest assured I have not 
been idle, I have managed to discover the strength of the testimony they 
intimate they have against you. If true, it is very damaging not alone 
to you, but also to some of the Professors of the University. They are 
evidently keeping the heavy guns for the last, and intend after present- 
ing this evidence before the committee to have a resolution pushed 
through asking the Grand Jury to bring all the power to have you 
tried. I shall let you know the whole when I see you. As to the 
Resolution I must have it immediately and get it through before they 
bring this testimony out. I want you to come up to-morrow night,, 
start, say in the 6.80 train from Philadelphia, and you will arrive here 
at about 10.40. Go direct to your room and I will meet you there 
and fix up such a resolution as will cover the ground, I want you to 
bring everything ready for an attack, and more particularly what you 
have against Scott. I want the originals so that the moment the com- 
mittee is appointed I shall call a meeting, submit the testimony, thereby 
debarring the House from re-considering their action. There will be quite 
a sensation after the committee is appointed, and if we do not get the 
evidence in, we will find it a very difficult matter to hold things. As yet 
they do not doubt my friendship, and will not suspect what I am after. 
On arriving here, let no one see you, I shall meet you at your room at 
the Lochiel, I want it arranged so if you are not wanted you can slip 
away, and no one will be aware of your being here. I think the train I 
mentioned the best to come in. I have a great deal I would like to- 
say to you but must be in time for to-night’s mail. Telegraph me on 
receipt of this, and do not make a confident of any body on the subject,. 
I shall await and not proceed any further until I hear from you. 
Telegraph M. 
This letter did not take, so they were obliged to make another effort. 
I was then informed that unless I would give up the George 
O. Evans papers and let them alone, they would take away the 
College Charter. I replied that that was impossible, as in the 
first place, the College had never sold a diploma, and again 
the Charter was granted before the Constitution gave the Legis- 
lature the power to repeal a Charter. The reply was they did 
not care a d—m for that, and that unless I came to Harris- 
burg and gave up the papers, and consented to their way of settling 
up the matter, they would squeeze me until I did. The next day I 
received the following:—• 
United States Hotel, Harrisburg. 
Paine : It is more important to you to see me, than it is for me to 
go to Ninth Street. I have been there a couple of times. What time 
will you be in' town to-morrow ? It is all important that you should 
see me to-night. I have broached the subject to R , who is in 
common—he wants me to have a complete understanding with you. 
Do not fail to see me. Yours, etc., 
R goes away to night. I must see you, keep shy of Wash B—. 10 
This dodge of the conspirators to induce me to go to Harrisburg, that 
they might rob me of my papers, under the pretence that they would 
offer Resolutions exposing the whole War Claim Fraud, was so trans- 
parent that I finally replied to Mr. McGinnis, that if they continued to 
annoy me, I should certainly be under the necessity of having them 
all arrested. Upon this hint, McGinnis left, and a general attack wa» 
made upon my social and professional character. In the first place* 
they brought me before the United States Assessor, under the pre- 
tence that I had made false returns on my income. This failing* 
they engaged a prostitute to apply to me to produce an abortion, 
offering a large sum of money. Her persistency and large proffers of 
money led to a threatened arrest, whereupon she became frightened, 
and made a partial confession of the conspiracy. Bold and daring 
robberies of papers and private letters followed, but in no instance 
did their parties succeed in obtaining any of the papers relative to 
the Evans’ case. At those meetings where the Evans topics were dis- 
cussed before me, the question was, how could they manage, so as not 
to interfere with the forthcoming momentous election, and they stated 
that at whatever sacrifice, the great object to be attained was to 
elect such parties as would control the finance of the State, either 
themselves or by reliable friends. Not only Evans and Gov. 
Geary, but many other persons urged upon me some official 
and lucrative position on the condition of division and silence. 
My reply was uniformly that I was too far advanced in life 
to learn these new principles in arithmetic, and all I desired was for 
them to settle the matter, and relieve me of the bail. Although I 
was frequently told I would have a yoke put upon my neck if I di- 
vulged any of their secrets, yet I did not quite understand the term, 
nor did I for a moment, suspect that they could put up any job on me. 
But on the 24th of January, 1872, I became fully aware of the fact, 
when William Randall, of Schuylkill Haven, offered a resolution, 
authorizing the Speaker of the Senate to appoint a Committee to in- 
vestigate the Medical Colleges of Philadelphia. This committee wa* 
composed of the following:—Randall,, formerly of this city; David 
A. Nagle, a neighbor of Prof. Buchanan ; Dr. Crawford, an Old 
School physician ; J. M. Weakley ; B. B. Strang ; M. S. Humphreys, 
and E. Billingfelt. Immediately upon their appointment, flaming 
announcements were made by all their papers, that Dr. Paine was 
engaged in the Bogus Diploma business, and was to be put through. 
From the nature of the reports through the associated press it was 
quite evident that they intended to confound the Philadelphia Uni- 
versity of Medicine and Surgery with the American University "of 
Philadelphia, so as to convince the public that Dr. Paine was Profes- 
sor in the latter college, and issued their diplomas, and I was con- 
firmed in this view from the construction of the committee, and through 
friends who understood the programme. I accordingly requested 
Washington L. Bladen, Esq., to take charge of the matter, whereupon 
he wrote to Randall to inquire whether he or any one could appear as 
my counsel, and received the following reply : 11 
Harrisburg, Pa., February 16, 1872. : 
W. L. Bladen, Esq. 
Dear Sir:—Your favor 14th inst. is at hand. The committee meet 
on Saturday morning at Girard House, 10 A. M., they have no objec- 
tions to your being present but refuse to allow any party to be repre- 
sented by counsel. Yours truly, 
WM. M. RANDALL. 
The committee enacted its farce February 3, 1872, the whole thing 
being conducted by Randall, Nagle and Crawford, it being evident 
that the other members were mostly, if not entirely ignorant as to the 
movements of Randall. The first witness was Dr. Stille, President of 
the University of Pennsylvania, whose testimony and letters occupied 
twelve pages of their Report. All the ingenuity of Randall and Stille 
combined did not bring one jot or tittle against either Dr. Paine or 
the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, as every letter 
was dated and referred to 514 Pine Street. The next witness was Dr. 
Rogers, Dean of the old , University, who complained because the 
Philadelphia University issued scholarships; and he produced a large 
number of letters from various parties who wanted to purchase diplo- 
mas. He and Randall strained every point, yet not one could be pro- 
duced where either the College or Dr. Paine had in any way been 
connected with the diploma business. The next witness was a Mr. 
Flinn, who said he knew nothing, only what a man by the name of 
Hylton told him, and that was all about the Eclectics. Upon an- 
nouncing this fact Randall informed him he was of no use. Then fol- 
lowed their most able witness, Francis B. Wells, Editor of the Evening 
Bulletin, who produced the diploma of Rosenweig, from the Eclectic 
College and American University. It was of no use, and was put aside 
and barely mentioned in the Reports. Jones, a clairvoyant, followed, 
who stated he had seen a diploma, but it was from the Eclectic School; 
then Spaulding, who had only talked with one Hylton. Then Dr. 
Stanley C. Hylton, a respectable physician, testified that all he knew 
about the bogus diplomas was from the Pine Street concern. 
It was soon reported in Harrisburg, that Paine was letting out the 
whole thing, that the York Sun and other papers had hold of 
some of the Evans’ documents, and unless Paine was used up, and his 
influence killed, the game was over. So Randall gathered his forces 
together once more at Harrisburg this time, and employed a fellow by the 
name of Callahan, and another named Sharkey, and held forth February 
7. His first witness was a darkey doctor, whom they had taken from 
Philadelphia, a doctor of the American University of Philadelphia 
make, who knew nothing of Paine, and consequently was of no use. 
This failing, Dr. Rogers, of the Pennsylvania University, furnished 
one of his own graduates, Dr. J. Dunbar Hylton, and a negro named 
Hall to go to Harrisburg, and see if they could not make out a case. 
The committee, or rather Mr. Randall & Co., had another time. After 
catechising this fellow for hours, behold his diploma turns out to be 
from their next witness Hylton from the American University of 
Philadelphia, so this man was of no use after all the pains of taking 
him there, and at the expense of the State. . The next was the big 12 
gun referred to by their friend McGinnis, J. Dunbar Hylton, M. D., 
who swore he knew the whole thing. He testified that he had called 
on the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elliott, to give him money to help 
put the thing through. He also applied to Dr. Rand of the Jefferson 
College, but does not state whether he received any money. He also 
swore that Dr. Rogers told him that he did not care for the American 
University of Philadelphia, it was only the Philadelphia University 
of Medicine and Surgery. Randall told him that was what they 
wanted. He said then, “ Well, if I must tell it, Paine offered to sell 
me a diploma for my baby only two years old, and even had one filled 
out.” Randall looked wise, and after his witness told him he could 
not buy one for his baby, as he had not sufficient money, he in- 
formed him that would do, not feeling quite satisfied that the honest 
portion of the Committee could swallow this. 
He called another meeting in Moyamensing Prison, on the 16th of 
March, where John O’Brien was duly sworn. (John had previously 
served out two terms in the Eastern Penitentiary and was now in 
prison for committing, in connection with Dr. Hylton, burglary, and 
for stealing Prof. Du lice’s diploma from the Jefferson Medical College, 
and then erasing his name and offering it for sale.) 
In regard to the validity of the statement of this John M. O’Brien, 
the following extract from a letter which has been put into my hands, 
written by him to Mr. J. S. Fisher, President of the Board of Trustees 
of the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, and a Com- 
mission Merchant in Cutlery, 417 Commerce Street, shows where ha 
was. He had been imprisoned for burglary in Mr. Fisher’s store. 
This letter is dated, “ Eastern Penitentiary, Philadelphia, April 27th, 
1870,” where he served four years. After telling how he came by the 
knives, etc., he says ; “Mr. Fisher, if you will do anything for me, and 
it lays in your power, I will return you all the goods I have any 
knowledge of, and will get those back from McCluskey and Tobin.”* 
He states that he and Prof. Rogers talked over the' matter, and he 
said that Dr. Terry told him he could buy diplomas from Paine to sell 
on commission ; that he, Hylton, Buchanan and the balance of them 
were quite sure, from what Terry said, that if he had the money, he 
could have bought a diploma from Paine. Randall said this will do, 
and the testimony closed. 
Then followed, Mr. Randall’s report, signed by the unsophisticated 
Committee, which read as follows :—An examination of witnesses has 
convinced the committee that Dr. Wm. Paine made an agreement to 
sell a diploma to a baby two years old. Your committee feel bound 
to state that this traffic has done great injury to the University of Penn- 
sylvania, therefore, resolved that both the Eclectic College charter and 
that of the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery be rescinded. 
W. R. RANDALL, 
J. M. WEAKLEY, 
B. B. STRANG, 
D. A. NAGLE, 
M. S. HUMPHREYS, 
DR. D. CRAWFORD, 
E. BILLINGFELT. 13 
After this we received the following anonymous letter, which wo 
have reason to believe was from Randall: 
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. 
Dr. Paine is respectfully and confidentially informed by X that he 
can purchase the Charter or Act of Incorporation of a Medical College 
approved several years ago. The corporation is fully organised but 
the institution was never put into active operation. There is nothing 
against it pecuniarily or otherwise. The charter was never offered for 
sale, as its management always intended to work it. It is offered now 
to him seeing that an attempt has been made to break up his business. 
The charter is valued at $15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Dollars) and will 
be sold to him at that price, terms cash the next day after the adjourn- 
ment of the Legislature, but not until then. 
He can use the name of the Philadelphia University of Medi- 
cine and Surgery, the old name of his college. 
Should he desire to purchase it, he will please advertise in the per- 
sonal column of the Ledger next Saturday or Monday, the following : 
W, P., accepts the offer of his correspondent X and requests an 
interview at the time fixed. 
Harrisburg, Friday, March 22. 1872. 
Now, as to the facts in the case, Judge Agnew, in his decision, stated 
that prior to the Amendment of the Constitution in 1857, the Legisla- 
ture had no power to repeal charters, and cited a large number of cases 
to prove it. He, also, referred to Articles IX and X, of the Constitu- 
tion forbidding the passage of any such Act, and that the act of repeal- 
ing the charter was, therefore, null and void. The charter of the 
Eclectic College of Pennsylvania was passed in 1850, and that of the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery in 1853. This fact 
they knew as is shown by their report, and is it not to be presumed for 
a moment, they did not know they had no power to repeal them ? When 
the motion was before the House, Mr. Billingfelt, who had been kept 
in the dark, and was only added to the Committee to give it respecta- 
bility, arose and stated they had better wait and see whether they had 
power to repeal, to which Mr. Randall replied, “ Repeal first, then see 
afterwards,” upon which it was put through both houses in less than 
five minutes. Governor Geary then sent me word to come at once to 
Harrisburg. When there, he made a proposition to veto the bill, pro- 
viding I would consent to the fixing up of the Evans case after his plan, 
which I refused to do, stating at the same time, that he must sign the 
bill and annex his seal to the infamous conspiracy which he and others 
had plotted for my ruin. 
The only College charter they could repeal, was that of the Ameri- 
can University of Philadelphia, which was granted after the Amend- 
ment of the Constitution in 1855, it being passed in 1867. Of this 
institution they had the following witnesses, who testified they had di- 
plomas from it;—Dr. John A. Hall, (colored) W. H. Myers, A. R, 
McCarthy, John W. Stevenson, John B. Nicholson and W. W. Brown. 
Dr. Bissell testified that he was selling diplomas, but never sold but 
one, and that was from the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. H. W. 
Lobb, that he bought one from the American University of Philadel- 14 
phia on Pine Street; J. P. Campbell, a (colored preacher) swore he 
had a diploma of LL. D., from Buchanan’s College; David Barlow, 
testified that he had bought one from the American University of 
Philadelphia; Joseph Morang swore that he had one too ; besides the 
members of the Faculty admitted that they had furnished them diplo- 
mas. Prof. Leidy, presented several letters from Europe, and from 
parties, stating they had diplomas from that institution. In fact, the 
parties claimed no secrecy in the matter, but boldly asserted that the 
American University of Philadelphia was chartered for the purpose of 
granting diplomas, and they intended to continue to do so ; besides, 
Dr. Buchanan stated that he had paid to the members of the Legisla- 
ture seven hundred and fifty dollars, (S7SOJ with an agreement that 
they should not interfere with the American University of Philadelphia 
Charter, as that was the Charter under which he was operating, 
though he did not care for the Eclectic Charter. The conspirators 
claimed that they must include the Eclectic in order to kill Paine and 
the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, or they could 
not make the people believe their story, and thus the object of the 
whole thing would be defeated. 
It will be noticed that they understood perfectly well <that they 
could neither repeal, nor affect the validity of the charters of either the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, nor the Eclectic 
Medical College of Pennsylvania, though they had the power to repeal 
the charter of the American University of Philadelphia. Hence, they 
did not wish to include it, because they could all the more readily, 
accomplish their design without it, for if they did not mention the 
name, the masses of the people would believe that the diplomas issued 
by the bogus American University of Philadelphia were from the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, with which Dr. 
Paine was connected; and this, in connection with the horrible things 
they could say in the papers about diplomas, would so prejudice the 
people and the profession against Dr. Paine, that all he might say, 
write, or do, would not be believed, and thus, all the secrets they had 
imprudently and from necessity confided in him, could not affect their 
elections. 
The game was well played, and proved very successful; so much 
so, that J. F. Hartranft was nominated for Governor without much 
opposition, and Allen, an old confederate, for Auditor General. By 
an act of the Legislature, Mackey was continued State Treasurer. 
Paine and Evans were the only ones outside who knew the secrets. 
Paine was killed, so far as his influence was concerned, for every 
paper in the land had either been purchased to herald his diploma 
traffic, or had ignorantly lent their columns to the circulation of 
their slanders. But Evans was in the way. To appease him, and 
to put him out of the way, he was paid a large sum of money to 
absent himself until after the election. His head was shaved, and 
he was taken to a Woman’s Hospital, out of New York, and passed 
off as a female, with female attendants. Detectives, doctors, and a 
host of politicians were placed as sentinels to guard his presence. 
Notwithstanding this, some of the facts were brought to light by 
the New York Sun, and a few other independent newspapers. When the diploma scare was partially over, and the opponents to 
the political ring were becoming bolder, to divert ray attention, they 
pretended once more to have George O. Evans tried, and they made a 
demand upon me to produce my man. This was the first intimation 
T had of his absence. On looking for him, he was not to be found. I 
was informed that unless he was brought forward, they Avould call up 
the case, and the bail would be forfeited. As this would come down 
•on me, as stated by the Evening Bulletin, like a sledge-hammer, I 
employed detectives and others; telegraphed and wrote, until in vari- 
ous ways, I spent more than five thousand dollars ($5000) in an attempt 
to find my man Evans; but he could not be found. The case was to 
come up in three days more. They had previously informed me of 
what they intended to do. What to do, I did not know. I had spent 
six weeks, and all the money at my command—had employed hosts 
of detectives, and all to no purpose. 
I finally concluded to take a bold stand, and went to the Governor, 
stating to him, that as they had secreted my man in such a way 
that I could not find him, I should employ ray counsel, and try the 
case in his absence, and was then prepared to summon and put on the 
stand every man connected with the War Claim Fraud. When he 
saw I was determined to do so though the heavens should fall, he pro- 
posed to compromise by having the case adjourned. I accepted the 
proposition, and the case was put over. 
During his concealment, C. T. Yerkes, Jr., was pardoned out of 
prison, and made a statement that I had misrepresented Hartranft & 
00., and that they were honest men. This convict’s testimonial of the 
good character of our present Governor and State Treasurer had great 
influence, and was posted up in all the cities and towns in the State 
on immense hand-bills, and was also telegraphed to all the papers, many 
«f them coming out with double-leaded editorials of afavorable character. 
This ended the bogus diploma excitement, and the Evans’ case was 
tried according to a special agreement between the parties. 
The year following Mackey was to be re-elected State Treasurer. 
The Governor, State Treasurer, and Auditor General are the Commis- 
sioners of the State funds, and the future safety of all previous trans- 
actions was in making Mackey’s re-election sure. Paine was not dead 
yet, and for fear something else might turn up, the City Solicitor, Mr. 
Oollis was induced to call attention of the Mayor to the fact that 
he had learned that diplomas were still sold. His Honor, the Mayor, 
was thus lead to send a message to the Council, to ask the Attorney 
General to issue a quo warranto against those diploma venders. The 
Bulletin, Inquirer, and other Bing papers of Philadelphia, and tne 
Sipers of Pittsburg immediately sounded the alarm of war, “ Bogus 
iplomas from Paine’s College.” We concluded this game was 
played out, and immediately commenced prosecutions against them 
for libel; whereupon, after Mackey’s election, they apologized, stat- 
ing that they were mistaken—that it was the American "University 
of Philadelphia. How thin the whole thing is ! Is there any one, who 
would suppose for a moment, that the Attorney General would not 
attend to his duty if his attention was called to it, without all this long 
maneuvering of Council, Mayor, and City Solicitor ? But that would not have been noticed in all the papers, nor could they in that way 
east any odium upon Dr. Paine, to rub off by an apology after 
or rather counting, was over, that they were mistaken. We do not 
t? 01le 18 •foolish as t0 believe one of them was ever 
elected. They knew their quo warranto was bogus ; and they never 
•desired to desert their friends of the American University of Philadel- 
jfc flf. fy.kd- tbey would have repealed their charter, when, in 
tW fh all their e j-rtS to the 9ontrary> theJ kad overwhelming proof 
that they were carrying on an immense traffic in these certificates A 
diploma is nothing more than a certificate of what a man thinks, and 
may be given by one individual or more, and as well by a non-eor- 
porated school, as by one that is, and is only valuable according to the 
influence and character of the individual or individuals who give it 
The charter of a college or school is for the purpose of enabling the 
V 111 proPerty 0f the scho°l without being mdi- 
r ' aud sucb a *kmg as a bogus diploma or certificate is im- 
possible, unless it is a forgery ; and in nearly all parts of the United States 
■a man can practice medicine as well without one as with. In some cffS 
to^lffic^thp11! 01 tbese certificates from some medical school, in order 
chartered or noT ’’ Th n° (J lH‘ererice whether the school is 
Btia tered or not. These facts were known to the Legislators of this 
diploma conspiracy against myself and the Philadelphia University of 
W,/C/ 7 IUH Srgery’ rUdTT k not fbr my knowledge of the lac- 
ntonff f[audf these political Kings are perpetrating upon an honest 
S : r not believe a single sane individual could have read 
then proceedings without observing their transparent conspiracy. 
nd now in ending this statement, I would mention that the lons' 
nShmTA01 a?d fPParent indifference led them to su£ 
pose that they could perform the last act of the drama with entire 
success. This was to bring Mr. Evans up for trial, impolw upon 
nXlic tho,f,e|rPrS r {-0f 80 much of the frauds “had become 
public, then allow him to slip away, and forfeit the bail. Having re- 
I laUniv lgh“°e “T "^p,1 belieVed t0 relial>le s»“recs. 
1 laid my plan, for his capture. Thus, while they supposed they had 
and PwHfl tl:rn me °fffrT my guard bytheir Jegal manipulations; 
Pfftt ); thi 8yf WT-C mT the Very- act of consumating their last 
KwU my destruction, I captured their man, delivered him to the 
bhenft, and demanded an exoneratum from the bail. Like a firebrand 
in a powder-magazine they have their scape-goat upon their own hands 
and lam entirely relieved from any further responsibility. The Bu- 
preme Court having decided all their legislation illegal, the Uni- 
versity charter stands unimpaired, and the only injury sustained by 
myself and the institution, consists in extensively circulated f^sehood? 
S' IboW° ffarS IOSS °f-time J the 1088 0f a large amount of money 
C?tln for all6 an'eSt °f *he sales of Camerons publl 
Tnl nth & U f7h,ch \ never received one penny in money or in 
any other way, and my only motive being to help a friend in trouble. 
16 
W. PAINE, M. D., 232 North Ninth St., Phila., Pa 
Where he is again engaged In the Practice of Medicine and Surgery. 
Office Hours, from 10 A, M., to 4 P M 
J