Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-02-07

GooRREsroSDENcE OF THE JouRxAL.l

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 80, 1868.
The Legislative proceedings this week being
OF little moment, proceed at once to consider
the position of affairs relating to
The Senatorial Contest,
although there is, in the matter as it now stands,
scarcely any aspect of the case which true man
can love to dwell upon. Evidences indisputable
exist of moral and corrupt influences having been
brought to bear by the friends of at least one of
the candidates for the high office of U. S. Sena-
tor. Not ialsehood merely, nor trickery has been
used, but bribery-the unblushng purchase and
This mode of canvassing was begun by the friends
of tao Of the candidates Park and Phelps) be-
fore the primary elections for delegates to nomi-
mating conventions were held, and has been fol-
lowed up until the eliminating point has been
reached here at the Capital
1t became evident to Mr.. Conness at the close
of the baloting last week, that he could not much
longer hold all his friends together. A number
OF them had been purchased before the voting
commenced, and others had become unreliable.
Under these circumstances he determined to with
draw from the contest, and allow his friends to
favor any other candidate they chose, but it was
well known that enough of them would 60 for
Phelps to give him majority. This was the sig.
pal. ..fag the exposure which took place Tuesday
the opening of the evenings session Mr.. Collins,
of Nevada, called upon any one having informa-
tion concerning attempts at bribery to make the
f. NJ,
stated that the danger of the election of Phelps
made it incumbent upon him TO say that on the
10th day of January at the request of Assem-
blyman Smith, of Butte, Senator Gaskill and
himself had concealed themselvs in wardrobe
in the room Of Smith, and soon after, in accord
ance with appointment, Mr.. Charles Watrous en-
tered, and in the conversation between Watrous
and Smith they heard the former Offer to assist
the latter to be elected District Judge, or Justice
of the Supreme Court, and to pay him $4,000 in
money, in return for Mr. Smiths vote to be given
to Mr.. Phelps, Watrous stating that he acted as
Phelps agent He also said that $1,000 of the
$4,000 should be paid down, and good security
given for the balance-Mr Chenery, Navy Agent
and Alfred Barstow, being the sureties That
the $4,000 would be paid in time to assist Smith
in his canvass for the Judgeship, and that Mr.
Watrous would assist him personally-that Wat
rous, being Postal Agent, had great influence
among postmasters, mail contractors, stage men,
ETC., that he could procure Smiths election, and
would do it in consideration of his vote for
Phelps. He promised to be there at 5 o'clock
that day to pay the money, but Watrous beeom-
ing alarmed before leaving the room, no other
interview took place. This statement, made by
Mccullough, was substantiated by Gaskill and
Smith, and is acknowledged by WatrOus, who
however, asserts that he was inveigled by Smith
A statement made by Cyrus Palmer, member
Of Assembly, was also read concerning offers
made to Palmer by Ezekiel Wilson, of the U. S
Marine Hospital, San Francisco. Wilson, &C
cording TO this was authorized to secure for Pal
mer anything politically that he (Palmer) woul'
name--and said he would take Palmer to Bar
stow and Chenery, and get their pledge to tina
effect. He said that besides Federal positions
they would provide situations in stores an'
banking houses for any friends of Palmer's tha
the latter might name. Referring to Assembly
man Dore, Wilson said Dore was poor and prob
ably money would do him more good than an,
honorary office, and that Barstow and Chener.
would give him (Palmer) any amount he nigh
name for Dore, and Palmer could arrange 1t will
Dore. Palmer further says that IN an Interview
between Alfred Barstow and himself, Barstov
(Secretary of Union State Committee) asked
what Palmer would want to bring SIX men oVel
with him (Palmer) to Phelps saying that what
ever was In. his or Mr.. Chenery's power to give
Palmer should have ; that they were authorized
by Mr. Phelps to make pledges for him. Paine
replied that he was not prepared to say at tina
time what he wanted. but he would make up hi
mind and let him know. He had not let hin
know yet, and did not intend ever to do so whe
he said it. After these disclosures, motion wa
made for the appointment of a Committee of In
vestigation, but much to the surprise of many,
majority of Phelps friends, who should have dc
manded an investigation, opposed it. The lead
ing Phelps men denounced exposure as cor
coction by Park to defeat Mr.. Phelps. Nothin
more was done that evening, but on Wednesda
evening Phelps friends came in prepared to con
sent to go into Committee of the Whole ii
caucus) TO investigate the matter. They did th
after the honest portion OF Phelps supporter