Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-18
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH,
TO THU
Daily gennebse gonraal.
FROM WASHINGTON,

Washington, II. The report Of the SEN
ate'commitee in the Caldwell case rehearse
the evidence taken in sitting. That of Smith
Caldwell's former partner as to the agree
ment with Carney, by which the latter was
paid $4,000 in consideration of his with.
drawal from the canvass, correctness of
which admitted by Quincy, if it was legitimate
of Caldwell to buy off Carney it was equally
legitimate to buy all these candidates. 1t
was an attempt to buy votes of members of
the legislature, not by bribing them directly
but through the manipulation of another
The purchase money was not to 60 to them,
but to Carney, who was to sell and deliver
them without their knowledge. That Cald-
well did procure such votes in this manner.
The evidence leaves no reasonable doubts as
to the buying off of opposing candidates and
In that way securing the votes Of all or most
OF their friends, is in effect buying the office.
1t recognizes candidacy for Office as a mer.
camille commodity and having money value
and is as destructive of freedom and purity
OF elections as direct bribery of the members
of the legislature. Smith also testified to
paying Carney further sum of $1,000 to
meet the alleged expenses, and through fear
OF ms wltedrawaI from the arrangement. But
carney positively denies its receipt, and his
ana other evidence go to show that it was
used indirectly in obtaining votes, the money
having been placed by Mr.. Anderson, who
drew it from the bank on Caldwell's check,
on the table in Carney's room, where it
could be and was conveniently crrried off by
the parties for whom it was intended.
AS to Sidney Clark, the committee say that
an arrangement was concluded between Cald-
we'll and Stevens, a friend of Clarke, by
which Caldwell was to pay Clarke's expenses
N fhO 81
Clarke withdrew in his favor and Clarke
urged his friends to support Caldwell, who
received the votes Of all but one Of them
The money however was never paid, Cald-
we'll refusing to pay it and this probably re-
suited in the exposure of Caldwell and the
institution of an examination. Clarke and
Carney both testify that Caldwell told them
that his election cost him $50 900 and several
other witnesses state the same thing, while
one witness says that Crldwell told him that
the money paid Carney was not more than
ten per cent of the whole cost of his election.
The committee had much difficulty in
tracing the money transactions, but the evi
dence shows that various sums, amounting
to over $4,000 were drawn under circum.
stances that make it probable that they were
used to procure Caldwell's election. This in
cludes $4,000 drawn from the banking house
agent upon Caldwell's check, and taken to
Topeka; s.. 900 drawn from the bank BY Dr..
Morris of Leavenworth. a very active friend
of Caldwell, and 81, 200 drawn from the bank
by Jacob Crozier, another influential sup.
porter Of Caldwell, all after banking hours,
The committee say that the testimony
leaves no doubt that the bankers who honor
ed the checks understood that the money was
TO be used for political purposes. Evidence
also shows that ]. ]. Anderson subsequently,
received 5000 from Caldwell for his SER
vices in the election. A draft for $4,000
was drawn from the bank by Anderson under
circumstances making it probable that the
money was used for Caldwell's election. The
committee have no reason to believe that
they have traced all the money used, and
hrye taken no account Of the small sums
shown to have been paid by Caldwell for the
expenses Of friends at Topeka. The CON-
mittee say that VIM Sprigg the former treas
urer OF Kansas, testified to the proceedings
of self constituted committee of Caldw ellis
friends, with the statement of the members
thereof OF what votes had been secured, how
much was offered for others and how much
was asked by others. A roll was kept of the
Senate and House, notes compared and men,
bers of the committee sent to members of
the House during its sessions. remark
was made that we had better not count that
man yet, that he is under negotiation and is
"a little too high, think I can bring him
down some"
The same witness said that Caldwell asked
him if he knew any member of the legislature
who could be influenced by the use of money.
The witness answered that he knew two
who had the reputation of having been in:
fluenced on former occasions, and Mr.. Cald-
we'll further said that if found any members
that wanted little money for votes, to send
them.
Mr.. Caldwell also told him that there was
another class Of high toned gents in the leg
isture that would not sell their votes, but
wanted their election expenses paid, and if he
met any of them, TO send them to himself or
Smith.
The Committee say that the testimony Of
Spriggs shows that the canvanss of Cald-
well was thoroughly corrupt, and that money
was the Chief argument relied upon.
Among other things, Anderson told him
that Mr.. Croker was paid $1,000 for his vote,
but afterwards backed out and gave the mon
ey to Carson to return, but the latter kept it
for his own services to Caldwell.
Mr.. Carney testified that Caldwell told him
he paid Mr.. Mogers S2500, and Jas. f. Leg
ate $1,000 for their votes, and there is much
testimony showing that Caldwell's friends,
during the canvass admitted having offered
and paid money for voters, in some cases
specifying names that offers had been made
and not accepted, and that negotiations were
on hand in other cases.
Several members Of the legislature who
were implicated, expressly denied that they
received the money or that offers were made
to them. Caldwell offered testimony showing
that Carney had made threats to have him
ousted from the Senate; that Anthony was
hostile to him that Mr.. Burke had lawsuit
with him growing out OF money furnished to
Burke at the time of the election, aud to
contradict several statements of Clarke. The
NEST important contradictions of testimony
produced against Caldwell are made by the
agents of Caldwell who were themselves i'm
plicated or by the agents Of Caldwell who
were directly charged with taking part in
these corrupt practices, and there are some
contradictions br witnesses against whom
there is no cause OF suspicion.