The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-16
THE SPENCER CASE.
important Evidence Taken Before
the Committee.
How an army AdYenturer Became United States
Senator from Alabama.
POLITICS VS.. TRUTH.
Dragging and Drubbing, Coer-
cion and Lying.

committee appointed by the late Alabama
Legislature has recently completed an investiga-
hon into the means usod 10 procure the re-eiec-
hon OF George L. Spencer 10 the United States
Benate from Alabama IN 1872. Testimony, most OF
10 OF republicans who were At the time Spencei's
friends aud agents, shows that bribery, corrup-
.ion common cheating and intimidation by the
hep OF uuited states troops were the CHER means
used % Mr.. Spencer's success; that spencer
was at the time the dispenser OF federal patronage
IN Alabama and made promises or federal appoint
meats to gain support; that ne used ms power
with the federal authorities at Washington TO
procure United states troops, when were used
10 ntlmidate voters; thar he Kept free wills
Key shop in Montgomery for Ills friends, and that
he induced United States ofncers, his allies, to
use money OF the government TO further his cleo
sion We present below extracts from the evi-
aence before the committee, which snow how
hey managed election matters In Alabama 1t
Ihoud be understood that when the Legislature
vas about TO meet the republicans drew of into
separate body, which met, not at the Capitol,
but &C the Court House, and set up Tor itself as
Legislature and IT was this body which Spencer
controlled ana BY holding 1t In hand comprised
his election by managing fusion OF tue two
legislatures at the proper time, In order TO
secure quorum" in the sham or Court House
legislature several men took seats in It who
iad right AZ all to q scar, and who,
Hhon the two bodies came together, did
not even make claim to seats. Thus W. r. CHS
holm, the Senator IN the Court House Assembly.
IRON Limestone county, testified that he now
holds the ONCE OF Inspector OF Customs at Mo-
bile; that he ran for the Senate In Limestone
county in 1872: does not know how many votes
he or mis- opponent received In the CANVASS; went
TO Montgomery on receipt OF communication
can't tell from Mountaineering him he was
elected, and that he might be seated BY going to
Montgomery; he went, and was seated in the
Court House Assembly soon after arriving in
Montgomery; never held any certificate OF cleo
ton. aud never contested the seat Of Senator
Coleman in the fusion Legislature; Mr.. Coleman
held a certificate OF election and held his seat in
the fusion Legislature; CHISHOLM never applied
for seat in the fusion legislature; Spencer was
tne choice OF the republican party for United
States Senator. and controls the federal pat
ronage IN this state; knows the fusion Senate az
reorganization was republican, and did not insti-
tute contest because he did not believe he could
succeed.
OBJECT OF THE COURT HOUSE, ASSEMBLY.
W. II. Hunter. republican member OF the Court
House Legislature testhes that without the seat
ing OF Chisholm, Baker anu Miller, who held no
certificates OF election in the Court House Senate.
there was no quorum In that body; The principal
object or the organization OF the Court House As
sembIY was 10 elect spencer; the party leaders
urged that the election Of Spencer was party
necessity. Kinds ana Spencer were intimate,
they occupied the same rooms In the Madison
House; Hlnds was considered Spencer's cashier
and agent; IT was understood that the federal
patronage OF the state was TO be divided among
the members OF the Legislature who supported
spencer; spencer promised me the appointment
nj IN 10 EUV Wi All DIV
been illed by a man from Utica, n. Y.
Q. DO you know OF any money having been used
to secure the votes OF any member OF the GeneraI
Assembly for senator spencer A. know mat
January Maui, coIored member from Lowudes
eouaty. received $25; ne stated to me that Carson
another member from that county. received SIS,
and that senator Jones, from the same county,
recsived $500, which be stated was q iund Tor re
lmpursing them for money expended In the
campaign
Henry Cochran. Postmaster at Selma ana
member or the Court House Assembly, testihes
that ne voted Tor spencer, ana that he suose-
qnently received the appointment OF Postmaster.
SPENCER DIsPENsEs FEDERAL PATRONAGE.
II. D. Bralnerd, formerly CLERK OF the Mont
gomery Circuit Court. testified that Spencer gave
him money, with which he "Kept wines ana cigars
for Spencer's friends in room In the Madison
House, and that ne originated the plan OF organic
arresting members TO prevent q quorum OF the
lawful or Capitol Legislature, which Alexander
White pronounced "smart" when he was con-
suited about IL. lie was asked, "How many
or the Court House Assembly nave re-
qeived federal appointments since Spencer's
Election 70 the Senate 7" and answered.
calvin Goodloe, Collector OF Customs. port or
MOBILE; A. p. wilson. Postmaster, Montgomery
Ala; j. W. Deneeu, Postmaster, DemopolIs. Ala;
Henry Cochran Postmaster. Selma. Ala; p. @.
Clarke, Special Agent Post once Department;
- GoldsUy, Route Agent Post once Department;
n. ). McAfee, United states Dlstrict Attorney;
George n. Duakin, United states District Attor-
neJ; Jvnn Bruce, United States District Judge;
- Baker, United states District Marshal; q. w.
Dustsn, UIited states Treasury Agent; W. r. Chis-
holm, United States Inspector OF Customs; J. N.
Pennington, Governor OF Dakota; Lewis f. Par.
sons, United states District Judge, at present
Assistant District Attorney Tor prosecution OF
Ku AUX cases. These are all tnst 1 can remsm.
Der At this time.
Henry q. Thrower testified :-It was stated that
spencer could not be ele eted unless Goouloe went
sver 10 the Court House Assembly anu supported
aim: ne MAS long lime making up his mind
Ench Legislature nc would JON; no was nnally
Induced u 20 over, as was stated 10 me- by prom
ses OF being made Collector VI tue port o. hoone,
Y. DO you know OF any other persons who we're
" Montgomery using their influence to secure
spsncers electl0n VINO nave siuce received led.
eral appointments A. do; LOUIS II. Ma Ell,
Frank Y. Anderson, II. Ray Myers.
v Where co these parties RESIDE A. II. Ray
Myers resides ~ Canada the other two la MoUte.
Z. At the uins OF spencer's election by the
CourL House Assembly what position, n any, old
you mold a. ! rs United States Inspector or
Customs at mobile; ucmand was maze upon
every federal olilce-nuioer ia The custom House
building for money Tor spencer. with the uader-
standing that II taoy I'D not pay they would be
turned out oil once; II was stated that General
spencer had sent mere Tor money, and must
have ~
d Why was the levy made upon FEDERAL once.
hoderaf A. II was understood these Or1ces were
under Spcncer's con rol anu the officers could be
removed AZ his pleasure.
q. Wnat Was spcncer's necessity Tor m0nay At
this Tuner A. lt was understood that lie needed
the money 70 carry tue Legislature 10 elect hini.
u dow muCn old you pay and now much was
assessed TO your A. did not pay; they lust took
tt; there were Two or three assessments; $40 at
one time, $50 at another; think $40 at another;
lHRneo vouchers for tue full amount u my sal
Iy ranging non $l20 10 STA; AZ tae time Was