Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-01-15

bought bis way into the Senate. The
following Washington despatch, under
date of the 10th inst. throws considera-
bic light on the subject:
The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections devoted several hours to-
day to hearing the evidence of bribery
in the election of Senator Caldwell, OF
Kansas. Having obtained leave to sit
during tie hours of the iession in order
to proceed with the investigation as rap
idly as possible, Sidney Clarke, ex-mem-
Der of the House, who was Caldwcll's 8
chief competitor, gave his testimony.
which occupied several hours.
The committee were already in pos
session of the report of evidence taken
before the investigating committee of the
Kansas Legislature, but Mr.. Clarke tes-
tilted much more fully to day than before
that committee. He gave full history
of the Senatorial canvass, alleging that
twelve or more of the members who were
elected to support him were bought off
by Caldwell and his business partner,
General Il. Smith. Caldwell did not
appear as e candidate until the meeting
of the Legislature, and never had any
political position or reputation previous
to that time. During the canvass, both
Caldwell and Smith openly boasted that
they were going to have the Senatorship
if they had to pay S25O.OOO.
Mr.. Clarke testified that it was gen
orally known among the members of the
Legislature and officers of the State gov
ernment that money was used. and that
Caldwell never made any attempts to
conceal the fact. During the canvass
Caldwell secured, meeting with him,
and offered to pay all the expenses of his
canvass. some fifteen thousand dollars, if
he would influence some OF his friends
to change their votes. He had already,
he said. spent fifty thousand dollars. Mr..
Clarke refused to mike the bargain, and
told him that the people would rebuke
such a corrupt election. Caldwell re-
piled that "snccess would eface the stig
ma" Since his election TO the Senate
Caldwell met Clarke at the Capitol, said
to him that he spent $4,000 for bis
election, that some of the railroad com
panies had promised to repay him $780,
900, but had not fulfilled their agree.
ment. and he meant to get them where
he could squeeze them.
Mr. Clarke also testified that one mem
Der of the Legislature, named Bond, told
him he was offered three thousand dol
lars in Caldwell's room, and the money
was shown him also, in regard to checks
drawn on Caldwell from the Kansas
Valley Bank, at Topeka one Of ten
thousand dollars by Anderson, who was
Caldwell's disbuysing agent, and the
other seventy thousand by General Il
Smith. There was great deal OF e,i-
dc2cc Of this scrt. After the examina-
tion ana the committee were through
with Mr Clarke, Mr. Caldwell asked him
a question, when the following spicy con
versatiOn ensued
MIR. Caldwell. What were ou rela
tiuns at The time Of the canvass
Mr. Clarke s,W ell, sir, you have asked
me a very hard question. l had very
little confidence in you, although | treat
ed yeu as l Try to treat all gentlemen,
pleasantly and peaceably. dis'rusted
Jon at every step.
Nr Caldwell What arc they now?
Mr. Clarke. l regard you as being a
very unreliable. dishonora bic man, much
to my regret.
Mr. Caldwell. Didn't you say to some
of your friends that you had elected me,
and that l was very honorable, respec
table mani
Mr.. Clarke. don't think l did vio-
lence to my Judgment to that extent.
Mr.. Clarke put the committee on the
track of great deal of important evi-
dence. lie believes that there will be
sufficient evidence gathered in very
short time to drive Caldwell cut of the
Senate The committee subsequently
examined o1e j. N. Luce, brother-in-
law of Perry Fuller. He has been made
a land agent by Caldwell, and the com
miitee did not learn much from him.
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