The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-02-24
THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION
Overwhelming Proof Of Radical Bribery
and Corruption!
of an ex-Federal Army Officer!

Testimony Of an cx-Fedcral Army Officer!
Captain S. w. Scott was in the wit
ness chair and made some highly inter-
estihg revelations. He is a native of
the city of New York and was raised
there. Was in the Federal army, and
came to this city in 1862, on the staff
of General Augur, as Quartermaster
with the rank of Captain. He settled
here when the war closed, and went
into business and has remained here.
He said to witness one day that certain
Senators had "gone back on him." He
wanted to raise $4,000 and wished wit
endorsed his four notes for $1,000 each.
Months after Mr.. Pinchback, then a
Senator, came to witness as the holder
of one of the notes and demanded pay
ment Of it from him as the endorser.
Witness refused to pay it and told
Pinchback that he had given no con-
for it and if any attempt was
made to sue upon it he would make an
affidavit of his belief that it was given
for corruption. No other attempt was
made to collect the note. The other
notes were held by Senator Campbell
and two other Senators, whose names
witness did not know. KimbaQ COM
planned that his principal (McComb)
had also ssgone back on him. and gave
that as a reason for asking witness to
the notes. Witness wanted to
get the note Pinck back had back from
him. He said that he had done his
part of the bargain and he intended to
keep the note. Campbell said Kimball
had promised him $4,000 and had only
paid $1,000, and if he did not want to
pay the balance he might ego to hell"
Campbell was subsequently satisfied
upon receiving $3.50. Kimball showed
witness list of the members he had
bought. Witnesses recollection is that
the bill cost him in the Senate from
ST., 200 to $4,000, and in the House
from $4,000 to $50, 900. There were so
odd members upon the list. Witness
members Carr and Devices Of the
Pinckbacl1 and COPELAND in the Senate.
The lowest price of Senators was 5000;
the lowest price of members of the
House was 5000. Campbell, PinclSback
and Coupland got the highest prices.
The sums opposite their names varied
from $1,000 to $4,000. Carr and Devices
were the highest in the House; $4,000
was the sum opposite their names.
Witness had the list, for a considerable
time in his possession, in an envelope.
He did not give it up to Kimball until
that person had paid him $1,000, which
he had expended for cab hire and sup
pers in the interest of Kimball. Heard
him say that the business had cost him
$50, 900, which he had expended in the
Legislature and among officers of the
city government and other officers. An
injunction was taken out in the name
of a man named Hoy to prevent the
sale of the city stock. Kimball said
he had to buy off Hoy and his agent.
In this connection he also said that
they had to get Judge Dibble to open
his court at IL O'Clock at night to have
the injunction dissolved, and that cit
cost something in Louisiana to get q
court opened at II o'clock at night"
ELaughter.J He said the Governor
was all right if the bill could be passed
through the Legislature; he would
sign the bill as soon as it passed. Wit
ness does not know whether or not
Hays & New showed the bill to the
Governor before it was introduced in
the Legislature.
In regard to the bill to pay banks the
IiloIlCS lOStlSu ny tiSiIl " lliS kolStlc
witness also gave testimony. He was
in the habit of visiting the office of
Messrs. Avegno Il Willoz, corner of
Common and CarOndclet streets. Mr..
Avegno showed witness Il list of the
members who had been contracted
with to support the bill. Took the
names down in a memorandum book,
by permission of Mr.. Avegno. Wit
ness believes he has the book yet at
home, but is not positive. Only re-
members Il few of the names-Carr,
Devices and Waters, (P. Waters was
then a representative from one of the
wards in the First Municipal District
and was elected and classified as a
Democrat. Rep.) Witness would pre-
fer handing in the list to giving any
other names from memory. The price
of each vote was $500 cash and $1,000 of
the bonds which were to be issued to
the banks. \ few were more eXpen-
sivc. Carr was then Speaker. He
came into Mr.. IAvcgno's office one day,
when this measure was pending, and
witness was there. Carr went out with
Il gentleman who returned presently,
with Carr's terms written on Il slip of
paper, which We're $50, 900 cash or $780,
600 bonds. Witness did not know the
II u II, nf no