Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-06
senator Caldweil,s Defense.

WASHINGTON, Jan 4.
In the Caldwell investigation, to-day,
statement was received from the accus-
ed, denying emphatically the statements
of Clark, Anthony, Carney and Bnrk,
that the election cost $50, 900 or $40, 900,
or other large sums, or that he or Lem
Smith, in his presence, declared he
would have the seat if it cost $3.50, 900.
All statements that he had promised or
given any consideration for votes, are
false. The parties named are his per-
sonal enemies. Carney endeavored to
induce Caldwell to withdraw from the
canvass, and said he would withdraw if
Caldwell would pay $4,000, or he
would give Caldwell twice or thrice that
sum if he would withdraw Both pro-
positions Caldwell declined, but at asub-
sequent meeting accepted the first and
paid the money to Carney himself, al
though his friends offered to raise it..
He did not agree to pay the expenses
of Stevens or Clark or their friends, on
condition of receiving their support. On
the way from Topeka, after the election,
Clark came to him and said, inasmuch
as he Clark was poor and Caldwell
rich, he was defeated and Caldwell was
successful, and that as Caldwell had
been elected by his influence, it was only
fair that he should pay Clark's expenses.
Caldwell replied that he would consider
the matter. After he took his seat in
the Senate, Clark came to him and ask
ed him to secure the appointment of a
friend as postmaster at Lawrence; at
the same time he reminded him of a re-
quest for the payment of his expenses
This reminder was repeatedly made
Finally Clark demanded 81 800, which
Caldwell refused. Clark said that Cald-
well could not afford to refuse, that
he would make trouble. Clark then
went to Kansas and set an investigation
on foot. Caldwell never stated that the
Kansas Pacific railroad agreed to share
with him the expenses of the election.
and had subsequently refused to do SO,
or that said road should get nothing
through Congress, unless the agreement
was fulfilled. On the contrary, be was
on the most friendly terms with the of
ficers of the road, and one of his first
acts in the Senate was the Introduction
OF bill, drawn by them, for the benefit
of the road. Caldwell then took up and
denied the allegations against him dur
ing the investigation, and said in con
clusion: | will say that l have endea-
vored to answer every accusation in the
evidence offered, tending in any way to
connect me with any improper practices
or use of corrupt means to secure my
election. | now say generally and upon
honor, that never expended one dollar
for the purpose of corrupting any mem
Der of the Legislature which elected me
to the United States Senate. I never
promised, paid or authorized any one to
promise to pay money or other reward
for the purpose or with the design of
corruptly influencing any vote in my
favor. / do not hesitate to admit that
l paid the usual and legitimate expenses
ordinarily received by candidates on such
occasions, and in the payment of such
bills, certainly did not deem that I was
guilty of corrupt or immoral acts. What
indiscreet friends may have done or said
during the canvass, | know not, and
surely should not be held responsible
therefor. This statement was not sworn