Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-06
Senator -shuInefaI DeveIog.
meuts.

Senator shameful DeVeIou-
ments.
From the Newport OR. l. Newsl
In the course of the trial now progressing be-
fore the United States circuit court in this CITY.
ia which John Norris seeks to recover for seryi-
ees alleged to have been rendered the Providence
Tool Company in negotiating a contract with the
United States government for the manufacture
Of muskets, the following significant facts were
ELECTED and sworn to. The treasurer of the COM
pany, John b. Anthony, Esq, was placed upon
the stand, aud testified that the company had a
contract with the government to manufacture
% 900 mHskets, negotiated by the assistance of
Senator Simmons and several others, among
whom was Senator Anthony, simply, as was sup
posed, ont Of a friendly desire on the part of
those gentlemen to help their friends. There
was not the slightest bargain made with any Of
them in reference to any remuneration for any
assistance rendered.
Mr.. Anthony further testified that after the
contract was negotiated Senator Simmons met
him, and remarked that the company ought to
make him a handsome present for that contract.
Nj. Anthony thought the Senator was testing az
first, and paid but little attention to the matter.
Soon, however, being wsylaid again to the same
purpose, Mr.. Anthony said he was not author
lied to do any such thing, and could not do it.
Senator Simmons then went to work upon the
VI FCtOl5f anu NAClcFCA 10 mtb guy VI bl5lu,
insisted that the company were in his debt, and
claimed the specified sum of FIVE thousand
dollars. But they all and always repudiated his
claim.
He further testified that The first contract (the
one for which Senator Simmons claimed a bO-
nus was improbable, because the machinery
necessary to manufacture the musket cost much
more than was anticipated, and go much as to
render the contract an Improbable one. That
the fact made the company very anxious to ne
gotiate a second contract, by which they could
be reimbursed for losses on the first contract.
Senator Simmons was aware of this fact, and
after trying the buttOn-hole process on the treas
urer and directors with Indifferent success, he
concluded to enter upon a little sharper prac-
tice," by treadiDg on the company's cOrns.
So, whenever he met the treasurer Or the d.
r%ectors, he intimated that, if they wanted his in
fuence in negotiating a second contract, they
must come down with q cool FIVE thousand.
And that finally Senator Simmons, being about
to engage in some business speculations, told
him (the witness) that he needed the money,
and, if they would not give it to kim, they must
lend it to him, OF he would not only net lend
them his influence in negotiating a second con-
tract, but he ioOHtd use It againt them.
This had the desired effect, and Mr. Anthsny
authorized Senator Simmons to draw on him for
thousand dollars, which was subsequently
charged upon the books of the company, and
afterwards, upon requesting Of Senator
Simmons his note as evidence and security for
The money loaned, be was treated by the Senator
with a very discreet silence. But, to give the
devil his due. we must add, that the company
in negotiating a second aud more pro-
itable contract with the Government, and that
Senator Simmons did assist them by his inf1u-
,nce with the Government, and did, like Oliver
twist, ask for more money, and kept asking for
more, which he did not get.
~Tbe Cbica2o Tneg saws. Give of our