, 1873-03-26

LII january, 1871, Joint comm1ttoo OF
Congress- upon tho condition Of tho Into In
atrrocttonary statoa callol tho attention Of tile
two Houses Of Congress to certain testimony
takon by thon1, in which thoro WIS disclosed
corrupt bargain by which C1ayton, tho Governor
Of ArkanBas, lad issued certificate Of
election 10 Congress to ono Edwards,
Democrat iii consideration Of ro-
ceiving tho votes Of Democratic mombcrs
OF tho Legislature for Clayton as Senator, Tho
House Of Representatives investigated this mat
tor, and by IN almost unanimous vote ojoctod
Edwards In tho sonato, tho n,attor WAS ro-
forred to committoo consisting OF Mr.. Nor
rin, Of Maino nlr. Wright, Of Iowa; mud Mr.
Norwood, OF Georga. Inst Juno, this Commit
too made partial report, ind in February, 1873,
mado full report, t,-hIesBra. Wright and Morrill,
to the offoot that thoro was no charge affecting
Mr.. Clayton that had boon RuRtainod, aud b1r.
Norwood to the offoot that Clayton had bcon
e1ootod by corruption and fraud. The reports
and tho testimony mako volume OF 400 printed
pages. Clayton was Governor Of Arkansas, ind
personal onomy Of his, johnson, WAS Lteuton-
ant-G Governor, and a friend named Whito was
Secretary Of State. On tllo 11th OF january 1871,
Clayton waa elected Senator, but, as his resigna-
tion aa Governor would mako Johnson his auc-
ceaaor, he declined tho senatorship. After a
worry excited timo, White waa induced to roHig1,,
and Johnaon accepted from Clayton tho
ofllco. Of Secretary Of stato; State Senator
Hadley WAS theroupon olocted Lieutenant
Governor. Tho Legislature, then, by hye
majority, On tho 10th Of March, again olocted
Clayton to tho United States 8onnto, and Had1oy
became Governor. at tho first election, tho
Democrats had votod for Clayton, hoping to
havo johnson for Governor. When this was de-
featod by tho subsequent arrangement, they ro-
fused, with few exceptions, to vote for him.
Tho testimony shows TINT White, who had rc-
signed tho oillco Of Secretary of State to enable
Clayton $4,000 in money and 925, 900 in railroad
bonds. johnson thon received tho lucrative
oflco Of Secretary OF State, US consideration
for rosigning the office Of Lioutonant- Governor.
6oYoral witnesses state, and Clayton admits
having said 30, that Clayton declared his election
had cost him $40, 900.
| It Is conceded that Edwards was defeated for
Congress by Doles, Republican, by largo ma
jority; but Clayton refused to issue him cortih-
cato, and finally issued 1t to Edwards, who,
though Democrat, WIS In constant attendance
at tho Legislature lobbying for Olayton's eloc-
tion. Tho certificate was given Edwards fow
days boforo tho soaoud election of Clayton.
Two Democratic mombers Of tho Legislature,
whose seats were contested, abandoned their
claim upon m agreement TINT Clayton would
issue q certificate to Edwards. This was oar1y
In tho session. but, tho certificate not being
issued, tho Democrats united with CIayton's op.
pononts to impoaoh Clayton; wlloreupon the
certificate was Issued, and tho impeachment Was
abandoned.
It appears, also, by tho testimony, that tlvo ol
moro Republican mombers poromptorily refused
to vote for Clayton so long aB 1t would MAKE
johnson Governor; that, therefore, tho purchase
Of Whites resignation, aud the appointment o.
johnson, wero necessary to his election. Pend
ing thoBo moaHuros, the Legislature passed cor
tain railroad subsidy meaaurcs which wero mp
proved by Clayton, and tho Inference ia that th
money and bonds which Clayton dolivorod II
White wore part Of tho corruption attending thi
legislation.
Clayton received at tile second election 4
votes in the House and IL in tlo sonnte, being
minority Of in tho first body aud 3 in til
latter.
Governor Hadley, who succeeded as Goyerno
by Claytons skllful bnrgain with johnson, toa
titled TINT he appointed nineteen Representa-
tivcB aud six Senators who had voted for Clay
ton to office immediately thereafter. Thu
twenty -1vo Of tho Afty-soven members who voto
for Clayton wero appointed ut onco to Stat
oflcoB which they coveted. Hadley staten tia
ho appointed some at Olayton's request, IN
others because it had boon agreed to do so pend
Ing tho changes which wore to make Clayto
; Senator aud IIadloy Governor. soarlos, Dom
! oorat who votod for Clayton, testified TINT th
latter had offered him for hiB vote til
patronage Of his county, and that il
named seven persons for county officers, u
Of whom woro appointed. Ono of Clayton'a con
potitors was colorod man named White, VII
Withdrew tho night before the election, and sai
that ho had got a25,00o railroad bonds. a nj
: ness was authorized to ofror Senator stoelo
, Judgcship II ho would voto for Clayton ho d
r 90 vote, and WIS appointed Judge. Anoth
, momber was offered the Office Of Sheriff
, voted for Clayton, and was appointed sherit
Tive cases Of this kind aro stated In tho or
I dence. Other Inombors wero Interested
!, bills wero approved.
Z Out of tho various charges, three seemed
o bo sustained by the testimony: 1. The CORFU
II arrangement with Edwards. 2. Tic use
money to purchase Whites resignation, aud IL
T. appointment OF johnson, whereby lo Hocure
+ more than flyo Republican votoa. 8. The dire