Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-05
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AHA AANAAf NNA WfAN W. hhAh NfRhF y
are found incased In the oarcasses Of
the Rumpcr Ashley and his twin pets
Baker and Conover. We hereto APP
pend portion of the testimon of
these creatures, taken before the inn
pcaohment committee, that fully es-
tablishes their depravity. Conover
is now serving out a time in the Peni-
tentiary for perjury before this com
mittce. Baker has been arrested for
tho same crime, and Ashley, Holt and
Stanton ought TO be
Ex-Detective Baker testifies on
November 22d that he never had any
interviews with Sanford Conover, and
details at length bis futile efforts TO
summon Mrs. Harris to appear before
the Committee. This woman Baker
represented in previous evidence had
the letters purporting to be written
by Andrew johnson to JEFF. Davis in
1864, showing sympathy with the re-
bellion. He further testified that Con-
gresham Ashley, Of Ohio, promised
him money to get these letters, and
that he (Baker) received one thous-
and dollars from the Postmaster at
Lansing, Mich, for that purpose, but
that Mrs Harris refused TO deliver
the letters for less than twenty-five
thousand dollars cash down. Baker
adds that Ashley promised him money
several times, but that he never got
any from him.
On November 23d Congressman
Ashley was examined as the last wit
ness in theimpeachmentin investigation.
He testified that be had presented to
the committee all the evidence he could
command TO sustain the charges made
against the President; that he had
written a letter dated July 22d, 1867,
suggesting a pardon for Durham alias
Conover, then and now in prison for
perjury before this committee; that
Messrs. Bradford, Of New York, and
Rogers, Of New Jersey, Democratic
Congressman, also favored Conover's s
pardon; that he (Ashley) had four or
five interviews with Conover while
the latter was in jail; that Conover
promised 10 give information which
would lead TO obtaining two or three
letters purporting TO have been writ
ten by Andrew Johnson TO Jefferson
Davis; that he corresponded with
Conover on this subject; that the lat
ter stated that be knew of letter
written by the President which would
implicate Mr.. johnson in the assassi.
nation of Mr. Lincoln, but he ASHLEY
looked upon the statement as too vague,
and that it was never worked up.
Question-IIave you ever stated to
members Of Congress that You had
evidence duplicating the President in
Mr. Lincoln's assassination Answer
No, not evidence in my possession.
may have stated that had state.
ments made in writing and otherwise
by this man, and that which induced
me TO believe it, may have said that.
Q-Have you ever brought the evil
dencc on which you believe it before
the committcei Answer-No, sir, |
have spoken TO members Of the com
mittee about it, ! have had no evi.
dence which i regarded as valid. 1t
was an insulated statement, here and
there, and not sufficiently strong
to warrant me in presenting it.
Q-Then you say you had no evil
dence against Mr. johnson which you
considered validg Answer-Yes
had no evidence which ! regard as
sufficient before jury to convict a
criminal.
Mr.. Eldridge-Ir repeat the question
whether you have not told members
Of the House of Representatives that
you had evidence in your possession
which satisfied you that Mr.. johnson
had taken part or was implicated in
the assassination OF Mr. Lincoln
Answer have said that believed
from all | was able TO gather from
this investigation that Mr. Johnson
had guilty knowledge of the assas
sination.
Q-You have said that before. ]
repeat the question as put il before
and want an answer TO it specifcal
ly. Ashley-Have rot answered il
Mr.. Eldridge-No, sir, ! think not
! repeat the question. Ashley had
not that kind of evidence which would
satisfy the great mass of men, especial
ly those who do not concur with my
theory about IT, have always be
lieved that President Harrison, Tay.
lor and Buchanan were poisoned, and
for the express purpose Of putting
Vice Presidents in the Presidential
office. In the first two instances il
was successful. Itwas attempted with
Mr.. Buchanan and failed. 1t succeed.
ed with Taylor and Harrison. Then
Mr.. Lincoln was assassinated, and
from my standpoint, | could come "a
a conclusion, which impartial men
holding different views could not come
Ii would not amount TO legal evidence
Mr.. Ashley then proceeded to test
ify that he never submitted any evi-
dence nor had he made any charge
that Mr.. johnson was implicated in
the assassination plot He adds in
concluding his evidence that he paid
Sandford Conover's wife some money
for professional services in obtaining
witnesses.
e-@
BIRDS OF A FEATHER, &o.-This old
adage is being wiped out by the loyal
reconstructionists. The tastes and
! LnI... q IL - L.