The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-01-20

The Kansas Pacific halltOao
HELPS Caldwell Buy his Seat
A shameful story Of Corruption
WASHINGTON, January 1s.-The Sen
ate Committee on Elections this morning
resumed their investigation into the
election of Senator Caldwell, Of Kansas
Ex. Governor Carney was examined at
great length. He COrroborated the testl'
mony heretofore given by Samuel 7.
Smith, Caldwell's partner, 10 the elect
that at private interview between Cald.
well, Smith and himself, Caldwell offered
him Carney $4,000 II he would with
draw from the contest TOR Senator. This
offer he soon afterwards accepted, and
signed a paper pledging himself that he
would in no case become candidate for
election, For this he Carney received
Smiths motto for $4,000, given uncondi-
tionally, and Smiths due bill for $1,000,
conditional on Caldwells election. The
consideration named on the agreement
was for the expenses incurred and assist.
ance 10 be rendered by Carney. Smiths
note for $4,000 was paid Carney ut mo:
turity. The due bill for s., 1000 was paid
last spring, alter election, and while
Caldwell was on his way to Washington.
to take his seat in the Senate, Carney
met him on a railroad car, and Caldwell
told witness he was aware that the due
bill had not been paid, but that as soon
as he got to Philadelphia he would remit
the $1,000 to pay it. Caldwell did not
keep this promise, but spoke TO Carney
on the subject four or five times during
the summer, and just before he came to
Washington the next winter he told Car.
uey he would soon arrange to get
some money from the Kansas Pacific
railroad 10 pay the due bill. Caldwell
said tho Kansas Pacific Company had
promised 10 pay him some money to as
sist in his election, but that they had not
yet done SO; that so far as he was concern;
cd they would get no legislation until
they kept their promise and paid him
the money. Witness testified that during
the Senatorial canvass, one day B. J. An
derson, an cmploye Of the railroad com:
pany, came to Smith in his presence and
asked for 81 900 to be used in the contest.
Witness endorsed Smiths check for that
amount in order that Anderson might get
it cashed. Witness believed that Ander::
son got and used the money for political
purposes in Caldwells interest. Cald-
well once stated to witness that he
(CaldwelD would win II it cost
him $950,00O. Subsequently Caldwell
told witness his election had cost him
over 100000, Caldwell having told wit
ness he felt grateful to him and his friends,
and would do what he could for them.
Several members of the Legislature made
written application 10 Caldwell through
Carney for various offices. On one occa:
sion, when witness presented to Caldwell
such paper, Caldwell took out his mem
orandum book, and after referring to 1t,
said: II don't owe that man anything;
| paid that man for his vote" No mem
Der OF the Legislature had then received
any office from Caldwell; witness there
fore knew OF no other way by which the
person referred by Caldwell could have
been paid except by money; witness did
not remember the name OF this person.
1t seemed from Caldwells manner on
this occasion that he had in his book a
list of all the members Of the Legislature,
with their prices. Caldwell at another
time told witness he had paid james g.
Leggett $1,000 for his vote, and Byers,
another member of the Legislature,
$3.50 for his vote before the election.
Levi T. Smith told Caldwell, in wit
ness presence, that he had already IN
volved himself to the amount OF $4O,O ,OOO
for Caldwell, which he feared Caldwell
would not recognize. Smith added, how
oever, he would pay half the expense In
case he did not succeed, by his arrange.
ments, in electing Caldwell; whereupon
Caldwell said: "All right; go ahead"
At times during the canvass, Anderson
would come 10 the committee Of Cald-
wells friends and say that he must have
some more money, Smith would say:
"Tell Fellows to 6e patient; they must
have patience. The currency ol the banks
is all paid out, but more has been sent for
and will be along presently" Anderson
was employed by Caldwell and Smith to
see all the members Of the Legislature and
get all tho votes he could. From day TO
day he would report that such and
such member could be controlled
for perhaps $500, or $1,000, or $4,000
each. J. L. Mcdowell was another mem
Der OF this working committee, and made
similar reports, on tho reception otwhich
the committee would discuss what price
ought to be paid. Smith once told wit
ness that the Kansas Pacific Railroad 20.
had given him $40, 1000 to aid Caldwell IN
the contest. Witness was taken into tho
confidence OF Caldwell.
Mr.. Smith now testified unWillingly.
Witness talked to many members OF the
Legislature at the request Of Caldwell and
Smith. Sometimes the members would
say to witness that they understood that
Caldwell was paying for votes, that his
election was not expected or desired by
the people, and that they could not afford
10 re home and defend their cause it-they
voted for Caldwell without being paid for
IL. In such cases witness would refer
the members to Smith and others who
were managing for Caldwell. Williams
of Johnstown, one OF the members Of the
Legislature, told witness Smith had
already promised him money for his vote.
Witness heard that Levi F. Smith, Cald-
wells friend, had employed Anderson TO
assist them. Geo. Smith oFLeavenworthr
was also working vigorously for Caldwell,
told witness ho had arranged for the vote
OF Butler by agreeing that Caldwell would
pay an outstanding note OF Buffers for
$3.50. Geo. Smith told witness at another
time, ono OF the members Of tho Legisla'
ture had sold TO him but run of with the
money, which had been paid him. Wit
ness also testified that Hon. Thos, A,
Osborne, who was yesterday inagurated
Governor of Kansas, was member Of the
Managing Committee OF Caldwelrs friends
which conducted his canvass and pur'
chased votes OF the members Of the Leg