New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-13
BRIBERY IN KANSAS.
HOW SENATOR CALDWELL WAS ELECTED
LIBERAL PRICES FOR VOTEs-A SHAMEFUL
STORY OF CORRUPTION.

appointment of Commissioners to 90 Louisiana and
Arkansas for more than two hours yesterday threw
open its doors and resumed the Caldwell bribery nves-
gation. No one who has attended the stings of this
Committee during the two days Of this investigation
can have aiedto notice marked contrast between the
manner in which it goes about its work and that in
which OF the investigating committees last session
conducted their inquiries The doors of Mr.. Morton's
committee at thrown open before any general
demand for publicity had been made by the press of the
country and almost before was known that the exam-
nation of witnesses was to begin. resolution was
passed that the rules of evidence in courts should
apply in the examination of witnesses thus closing
the doors 10 irrelevant testimony that might be inspired
by the personal malice OF any Witness while in practice
the Committee consrue those rules so literally that no
testimony is excluded which contains any important In
formation or which points the Of such nforma-
ton and moro than all, there is an entire absence Of
that disposition than once eynced by members OF
some former investigating committees to constitute
themselves the special attorneys Of the accused and by
northumberland questions to prevent witnesses from
telling all they know. This Committee seems unani-
mousy disposed to investigate TO find out the truth and
whatever its report may be- the people will be better
able Judge OF it from having the testimony before
them and knowing that il has been fairly taken. One
other remark is proper. The witnesses thus far called
have Deen introduced by the prosecution and none OF
the testimony thus lar taken dclOses Senator Cadwels
line of defense.
The first witness called, yesterday, was ]. Hammond
Of Morris County Kansas According TO his testimony
he was DESTROYS of bringing into market large tract of
Indian lands lying partially in his county and went TO
Topeka at the time Caldwell elected TO do whatever
he could 20 effect that end He had an interview with
Caldwell and asked hlm his opinion in regard TO this
question and replied that he was in favor OF
the proposition and would do anything in his power to
help the people of Morris County. While at Topeka he
saw George Smith Of Leavenworth, who told him that
he had occasion to use any money in Caldwes interest
he might call Mr.. Snlcox, wealthy man of his own
town MT Hammond afterward Mr.. simcox and
him thought that he could get the vote Of one
snead member Of the Legislature. When nc approached
snead the latter said that he was poor man. and Ham
mond agreed to pay him $1,000 for his vote. Then eav
ing him at the hotel with promise TO return soon, he
went smcOx about the money. Not being able to
mud him. he returned hour two Ilater and found
that snead had to the capitol The vote In joint Con-
vention taken that day. and Snead voted for Cald
well When the vote taken in the House. previously,
he had voted for Clarke. Hammond denied that he had
ever had but one conversation with snead the sub
ect and that he had ever paid him any money. He
did MT know whether Snead received the money,
but did not believe that he did Hammond also testified
regard to an attempt to influence the vote OF another
member named Pbinney, but said that no money was
offered or any corrupt means used.
The next witness called was Judge William Sprggs,
former State Treasurer of Kansas He said in substance
that he went to Topeka at the request OF exGoy Carney
who was expecting to be candidate for the Senator
ship. When Carney withdrew Sprggs had an interview
with Caldwell and agreed TO support him on condition
that he shoudGYe equal support to Gov Carney at
the next Senatorial election, On one OCCASION he said
about the second day before the fret vote was taken
some uembersIweretnvted to the Fifth Avenue Hotel
by Mr. Smith, one of Cadwells friends and the witness
went with them. After drinking some champagne, the
members, among whom were G. B. Butler and Mr.
Mr. Wison-who both voted for Caldwel-went
out and then Smith said that he had been
negotiating for the votes of those men. G. B.
Butler he said, had given note Of $3.50 to the bust
ness house Of which ne Smith member, and that
note had 10 besrrendered in order to get Butler to vote
for Caldwell TO another of the members he said that
behad 10 pay 1900 Mr.. sprggs then went ON TO give
history of his connection with the Senatorial campaign
After exGov Carneys friends had concluded to support
Caldwell and about week before the VOTE five or six OF
the atter's friends with his knowledge constituted
themselves committee to look after the matter This
committee consisted of ex-Gov Carney, Gov. Osborn L.
T. Smith Frank Demming and the witness and it held
two or three meetings day. The modus operdat was
toAake roll OF the members Of the Legislature and
divide the doubtful men among the committee.
At later hour, each would report what
he had DONE Sometimes member would
report that certain man better not be counted yet
as he was little high. but that he thought he could
bring l1m down. The only one who made such reports
was L. T. Smith, Caldwels partner. and there was
kind OF general consent in the committee that ne snou
40 branch of the business Among those whom the
in these negotiations was T. O. Sayers, MS own memper,
and snead the man mentioned by the previous witness
sprigQs asked smith what Sayers asked, and nc replied
5000 but that he had offered Goo ana Womb netay
iority. Smith understood TO control the
fund.- = and the committee as such had no
70 s,d psSnd + e rsP sor to Of the members
OF Whom he heard the price quoted ranged a y 600
mittee and nothing was said about where the money
used was TO come from, though smith was generanF
recognized the financial agent or Cadwe during the
canvass The witness continued that the next morning
after the election as he about 70 return home l. j.
Anderson agent Of the Kansas Pacific Railroad askeu
him % take order Carson for 900 and collect
member from Linn County 10 vote for Caldwell but
that he had changed his mind ana returned the money
TO Carson The witness did tne r.
had heard another member OF the committee, Dem,
ming after the election was over speak OF having nao
some money to use He SAID that ne had put i1to the
hands of the Treasurer of Eesshs County 1900 for the
votes OF the members from tlat county Dut d not say
where the money came from. He did remark, however,
that Caldwell had been little slow IN tne mater anu
$500 each and that Caldwell had 10 pay Tor ms DELAY
Demmng said that he had " 600 TO control the seven
members from D0niphan County ana tne .Wl.pess
Thought he said that the money had been paid 10 these
members This conversation between witness ana Dem
ming occurred while they talking over how Inncn
II cost Caldwell ret elected ana DelDminR remarked
that IL had than 100000 $4,000 The VIII
ness concluded his testimony by swearing that when nc
had the interview with Caldwell In regard 10 support
ing him, Caldwell asked bilnf ne knew any mempels
of the Legislature who could be influenced by money
He replied that he mad heard OF two, Luce, VINO esu
Ned on Friday aud another whose name ne nsa so,
who wanted money for their votes they shoud pe sen
10 MIN (Cadwell 20 Smith. He said also that there
not se their votes they had been 10 considerable
An getting elected aud would like 10 bsye those