The New York herald., 1873-02-16

handed to Colonel william Penn Clark now in this
United Isl States % Army to reimbnrse exnenditures
made by them on my account. Three hundred
dollars were sent to or. $. Wooson, member OF
the state Senate, who resided at Mount Pleasant,
Iowa, the place or my residence, with instruc-
tions to use much as might be necessary
vices s"' of '"' messengers during the contest,
over two hundred dollars of which, however,
he Afterwards returned, stating stating .., that he
amounting almost to a conviction that part or
these funds went into the possession Of Elijah Sells
through the hands OF other parties without Sells
knowing the source from which it came but lhave
not yet been able to trace 1t. There were Others
whose bills were paid and who ds6ursed funds TO
defray expenses attending this election which
am not able to particularze at this distant date:
and as an apology for this inability, trust WIN
be pardOned for stating thai was at the time
taxed to my utmost capacity day and night with
the
BUSINESS OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.,
az thlnk the most perplexing position c0nnected
WIN the government Immediately following the
close OF the war, wnen we were resaming our
reauons with one-third OF the States OF the Union
and the great Indian tribes OF the Southwest who
were involved IN the rebellion, that was unable
to give much thought to what then seemed to me
10 De so small matter as the choice OF q United
states Senator, ! believing that II not elected
could remain in the Cabinet, the President being
AT that time In harmony with the republican party
and no necessity for my resignation at the time
being apparent. In further reply to q ques-
Mr.. Stockton, for what purpose was this money
subscribed what did they do with the money IN
the election Of Senators in Iowa will explain
that my knowledge on the subject was chiefly
derived from friends until year since; but from
representations made to me by personal and
political friends during the contest in Iowa pre-
ceding the senatorial elections / have learned
that the friends OF the republican candidates for
tne Senate exerted themselves, first to carry the
the republican against the democratic candidates;
secondly, to secure the nomination and election
OF friends OF their choice for the United States
Senate; thirdly, after the date OF the election OF
the members Of the Legislature they endeavored to
ascertain how majority OF their political friends
among the electe0 stand as regards their favorite
this sometimes Involves In State as large as Iowa.
and as inaccessible as great part Of it was in 1865
by railroad or other public conveyance, very con-
siderable expense for travel this was so, as was
informed BY my friends. in 1855, having said to
them that dld not wish my name used before the
Legislature unless its use In that connection was
19and h,aISa, to ,,s be- IN IN, harmony with the an.
Of the REPUBLICAN, members elect so9e er'y C
the friends who undertook to ascertain these facts
paid their own bills, ana would not accept any
turn; some were unable to do sO and very prop
erly permitted others to pay these bills;
VERY CONSIDERABLE EXPENSES ARE OFTEN IN
by the friends OF the rival candidates on their way
to-, at and returning from the Capitol during the
early part OF the session and preceding the election
elsewhere perfectly legitimate Frends saRe0'eif Of
the Capto generally unnye b"t Sometimes fase io
pursuance OF request to keep their members
right, as they call it, supposed to be right Or II
selves or the people OF their locality to persuade
them to get right. Their presence induces the
scene OF action to rescue by their presence and in
fuence, the imperllled cause OF their respective
favories tor United States Senator. Thus the Capt.
tol city is filed with prominent and influential
citizens from all parts OF the States, amount
ing to many hundreds, and sometimes to
many more; these visiting friends often find the
expense Of travel TO and from the Capitol and OF
living during their stay much greater than they
anticipated, get out OF means, and are supplied by
nj fhnr fritz dc yUhn hn n h0V v,Ir
from q common fund, contributed in advance, If
any such exist; and others come expecting to
have their bills paid and TO have
A GOOD TIME GENERALLY;
the committee Will perceive That two or three
hundred dollars piece for such expenses IOr
score or two of persons, or a few dollars piece
Tor the expenses of several hundred persons, would
necessarily absorb several thousands OF dollars;
1t was TO meet these expenses incurred in the
Winter of 1866 by my friends at Des Moines that
q considerable part OF the money derived from the
Durant checks, as well as other funds, as was in
formed, was applied; some OF these bills were paid
or the parties reimbursed after the Senatorial
election was over; trust the committee will he
the difficulty, II not impOssbility of tracing the ap
plicatiOn OF funds used under such circumstances
Py my =, e1ds zen tbe so o many years
ability in the performance Of their duty by dis
closing fully all know about each subject of legiti
mate inquiry, but as some of the questions pro-
pounded during the latter part OF my examination
on yesterday seemed to me to imply purpose to
inquire into my conduct in relation to matters
what l had supposed to be the lesiti.
mate purviews OF the original inquiry. and
leading to an examination OF my conduct in an
other Official position, stated by the members Of
this committee propounding some OF these .qucs-
tions think ought not TO be interrogated fur
ther as to these points until have opportunity
TO know what the supposed offences are aud am
confropted with the witnesses by whom IL is eX-
pected to support them, all Of which, embraced
within any legitimate inquiry on the part Of the
Senate, shall expect to meet promptly and fully
with overwhelming rebutting testimony to the
entire satisfaction OF Senator and every fair
minded citizen OF the country.
Senator Harlan was asked "Were you ever
threatened in any way by presentation OF the
checksfn A. do not think anything OF that kind
ever occurred
BOYNTON RECALLED.
General Boynton was recalled and asked whether
he had any personal knowledge as to whether the
checks or sheets or copies OF them were shown TO
Mr.. Harlan to influence his action. The wit
ness replied that he published the statement
but had no absolute personal knowledge OF the
presentation of these checks or sheets TO Senator
Harlan. He was further asked whether he knew OF
any person who knew whether they were pre-
sented, and replied that he knew OF nobody Of his
absolute personal knowledge.
The committee then adjourned.
THE WILSON COMMITTEE