The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-02-21
THE CALDWELL CASE.

THE CALDWELL CASE.
The Committee Submit Report.
ReeapitnlatiOR of the Testimony.
The Election Of Caldwell to be De-
clared Void.
Washington, February 1.-THE
report of the senate committee in
the Caldwell case reherses the evil
dence taken, including that OF Smith,
CaldwelPs former partner, as to the
agreement with Carney, by which
the latter was paid $4,000 in con-
sideratiOn of his withdrawal from
the canvass, the correctness OF
which is admitted by Carney. The
committee believe this arrangement
corrupt, against public policy, de-
moraliZing in character, and direct
ly contributing to destroy the pu-
rity and freedom of elections and
not TO be tolerated by the senate as
means of procuring a seat in that
body. 1t was an attempt to pur-
chase the votes of the friends of
SoA NoiNi" Gil GA-
expected Carney could bring them
over to his support. ii was at least
an agreement on the part of Carney
that he should conceal the MERGE
nary part of the transaction and
place his withdrawal from the can
vass and his support of Caldwell
upon personal and political copsid-
erations that were honorable TO
himself and would be satisfactory
TO his friends, and this he did. If
it was legitimate for Caldwell to
buy off Carney, it was actually le-
gitimate to buy all other candidates.
1t was an attempt 10 buy the votes
of members of the legislature, not
by bribing them directly, bat
through the manipulations of anOth-
CT. The purchase money was not
to go to them but to Carney, who
was to sell and deliver them with
out their knowledge. That Cald-
well did procure such votes In this
manner the evidence leaves no rea-
sonable doubt. Buying off oppos-
ing candidates, and in that way Sc
curing the votes of all or most of
their friends, is in effect buying the
office. 1t recognizes a candidacy
for Office as merchantable commodi-
ty, and having money value, and is
as destructive of freedom and of the
purity of elections as the direct
bribery of members of the legisia-
ture. Smith also testiIies to paying
Carney the further sum of $1,000 to
meet alleged expenses, and through
fear of his withdrawal from the ar
rangement, but Carney positively
denies its receipt, and his further
evidence goes to show that it was
used indirectly in procuring votes,
the money having been placed by
Mr.. Anderson, who drew it from
the bank on Mr.. Caldwelfs check,
on table in Caruev7s room where
it could be and was conveniently
carrid off by the parties for whom
it was indendcd, 10 Sidney Clarke.
The committee say sn arrangement
was concluded between Caldwell
and Stevens, friend of Clarke's, by
which Caldwell was to pay Clarke's
expenses, estimated at $4,000 to
1900, and Clarke Withdrew in his
favor, Clarke urging his friends to
support Caldwell, who received the
votes of all but one of them. The
money, however, was never paid,
but Cal2welPs refusal to pay the
money does not relieve the charac-
ter of the transaction, and probably |
resulted in the exposure of Cald- |
well and the institution of the ex-
animation. Clarke and Carney each |
testify that Caldwell told them his |
election cost him 100000, and sew |
erl other witnesses state the same |
thing, while one witness says Cald- |
we'll told him that the money paid |
Carney was not more than ten per
cent. on the whole cost of the cleo
ton. The committee had much diff
Guilty in tracing money transactions,
but the evidence shows that various
sums amounting to over $4,000,
were drawn under circumstances
that make it probable they were
used 10 procure Caldwell's election.
This includes amounts already
$4,000 drawn from the
banking house of Scott at Leaven-
worth, by CaidwelPs agent, upon
CaldwelFs check and taken to Tope-
ka; $1,000 from the bank of Morris,
Leavenworth, q very active friend
Of Caldwell, and 81 200 drawn from
he bank of Robert Crozier, another
supporter of Caldwell,
III during banking hours.
The committee say the testimony
caves no doubt that the bankers
Who ~honored the checks, under
TODD the money was to be used for
purposes. The evidence 4,
Ilso shows that L. J. Anderson SUBJ
received from Caldwell
5000 for his services in the election. :
draft for $4,000 was also drawn :
rom the bank by T. J. Anderson
Inder circumstances making it (
probable the money was used for
Ia1dwelps election. The commit
ee have 10 reason 10 believe they
ave traced all the money used, and
ave taken no account of several
mall sums shown to have been
aid by Caldwell for expenses of
riends at Topeka. n
The committee say VIM. Spriggs, a
orner treasurer of Kansas, testified
D proceedings of self constituted
ommittee of six of CaldwelPs v
with statements of men, t
ers there of what votes had been 4
ecnred how much was offered for =
theirs, and how much was asked by
theirs. A roll was kept of the sem
he and house, the vote compared P
nd members of the committee sent
} see members of the house; dur v
Ig the session q remark was made Il
lat we had better not count that a
ian there; he is under. negotiation y
nd is little too high; think
III bring him down some. The le
lme witness said Caldwell asked O
i'm if he knew of any member of b
lie legislature who could be infiu- c.
need by the use of money for votes. tC
fitness answered that he knew two n
lat had the reputation of having az
cen Influenced on former acca-
ons, and Caldwell further said if l -.
'und any members that wanted a =,
tile money for votes to send them ~
him and Len. Smith. X
Caldwell also told him that there
as another class of high-toned gen. =,
emen in the Legislature that would =
IT sell their votes, but wanted their IA
eciion expenses paid, and If he
ct any of them to send them to di
IN or Smith.
The committee say the testimony
Srriggs shows the canvass of ha