Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-06-24
FROM THE SPEAKER s CHAIR TO
THE STATE PENITENTTARY.
From the Albany Argus, June lo.1


From the Albany Argus, june 1O.1
The scene of ex-Speaker Callcott and
Colonel Enright to the Albany Peniten-
tisry; for violation of the Revenue laws,
has attracted large share of public at
tentiou. Especially Els this the case in
this community, where Callicott was we'll
known. His first appearance here was in
1860, when he took his seat as member
Of the Assembly from Kings county. Ee
was man of pleasing .manners and ad.
dress, and, although but little known at
the time outside OF Brooklyn, was the
Democratic nominee for Speaker. He
was returned in 1868.
The House was tie, being co1unosed
OF sixty four Democrats and sixty-four Re-
publlcans The change lof one vote was
all that was necessary to turn the scale.
Calllcott voted for over two weeks for
Gilbert Dean, the Democratic nominee
for Speaker, and then made a bargain
with the Republicans to go over to them.
provided they would elect him presiding
officer.
By virtue Of bis Office as Speaker
Callicott became member of the Board
of Commissioners of the Land Office, a
Trustee of the State Capitol, &c. The
passage of every bill, while be was Speak
er, bears his signature, and his name il
placed hundreds of times upon.the records,
to be deposited forever with the State
archives. Callicott was afterwards an
pointed United States Treasury agent,
and was located in the Southern States.
In this capacity it was reported he had
made considerable money. At later
period he was appointed Collector of In
ternal Revenue for one of the Brooklyn
districts. In connection with this posi-.
ton he was indicted for practising frauds
upon the government, and upon trial,
was convicted by the jury and sentenced
to two years, imprisonment in the ALBANY
Pcnitentiary, and to pay fine of 80 600.
Five years ago Callicott visited ALBANY
as Speaker of the Assembly and member
of the Board of Land Commissioners
On Moaday night he came, in custody of
a Sheriff, to take lodgings for two years
in the Albany Penitentiary.
When received at the prison, Callico.t
remarked to General Pilsbury that the
last and only time he ever visited the
Penitentiary was in 1860, when he came
there as member Of the House Commit
fee on Ways and Means, on official bust
ness. He added that he little expected
then that he should ever enter the build.
ing in the capacity of prisoner. He ap-
peared as cheerful as the circumstance
would permit, and frankly told General
Pllsbury that he was ready to conform to
T the rules. His whiskers were shaved off
his hair cut close, and, in prison attire,
he was locked in a cell for the night
Colonel knright was put through the
same process. He is sad and down.
; hearted, and says but little He was re.
Gently married to young and estimable
lady, of Brooklyn, and he appears to feel
! keenly the disgrace his present position
brings upon all connection with him.
Callicott still holds the Office of Re.
venue Collector. he has never resigned
and has net been removed. He was sim.
ply suspended to await the result of the
examination of the charges made against
) him. He steadily refused to resign. and
was constant IN his demand for trial.
lie never had the remotest idea that a
jury would convict him.