Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-26
( Special to Cnciaaah GoIe1e1
CoLuMuus, March %.


CoLuMDUs, March %.
The Wood County Investigating Com
mittee met tonight and all the members
were present The investigation took place
in the hall OF the House. and n goodly num-
b.r OF spectators listened to the proceedings.
L. G. Campbell, of Cincinnati, appeared as
counsel for the committee, and tien. f. B.
Pond for Mcssrs. Cooley, Walker and
White, the members whose names have
heretofore appeared in connection with the
investigation. Mr.. Campb2lPs conduct of
the case was lawycrlike and discriminating,
an | in the opinion of those who heard him,
justified Mr.. Gorlon's choice. Gen. Pond
quietly putin remark and question here
and there, showing a careful watchfulness
OF the interests of his clients.
John Baker, Representative from COshoc-
ton county, was the first witness sworn.
Had some knowledge about the legislation
county; voted for the bill both last winter
and this; remembered having talked with
Mr.. White about the bill several times |;
boarded at the same house with White and
DR.. Manville, OF the Bowling Green lobby.
White one evening requested witness to
vote against the bill. He (White) was go
ing to vote for it because Of some political ar
rangement up there that compiled him 10 rote
against his rishes. Still he wanted witness
| to vote against the bill, saving that il he
would he'd take him TO ace his cousins, who
we're the handsomest women in Columbus.
| In another conversation White gave him
| to understand that money was being used
in favor of the bill, and that it was being
handled by Mr.. Cooley, member from Guy
ahoga, who was thought to be good man
for such purpose.
| Q. Where did this conversation take
place? A. In Mr.. Whites room Mt the
Senter House.
Q. Did you ever get to see those ladies
A. Well, no, sir; ! never got acquainted
with them.
O. How old man is Mr.. White? A.
Perhaps not as old as myself.
o. 4 man of middle age. Then that ac.
counts for not getting acquainted? a.
understood Mr. White to say that Mr.
Cooley was handling money to put twhere
it would do the most good.
Q. What promises were made to you be-
sides the acquaintance OF those ladies? A.
No other promises at that time.
| @. What was Mr.. Whites manner nj
this time? A. lie seemed to be in earnest
Q. Is Mr.. White given to jokingy a,
| Yes, sir; sometimes.
Q. Did he appear 80 at this time? A.
No. His manner was serious. When he
was talking of the women understood him
| 10 be Joking and answered the same way
that III have TO acccdc, guessed.
Q. What time was this money matter
talked over? A. Some time in January,
think. Talked with him serveral times
may be once before in December, and two
or three times after.
O. Do YOU remember of having con-
versaiion with anybody about your dodg-
ing the vote on this bill? 4. Yes; they
regarded me rs little wcak-knced on the
question. Mr.. Hatfield, member from
Wood county, spoke to me several times on
the subject and said that | mustn't desert
him. On the day the bill was passed
wanted to go down to Cincinnati with my
son, and lett the hall and went down stairs.
On the stairs of the Capitol met Mr.. Viii
| liams, one of the lobbyists from Perrys-
! burg. He said it would never do for me to
go said we can't spare you; we've been
counting you in favor of the bill. | said
| must go with my son to Cincinnati. Ii
was half an hour Of train time. Mr. Will
liams still insisted, saying he would do
most anything rather than have ME go, and
| ing coach or anything l might ask.
turned to my son and he said, we'll stay
then.
Q. What money, If any, was paid your
son?
Objected to BY Mr.. Pond and discussed
Afterward the question was admitted by
vote oil the committee.
! Mr.. Baker asked to be allowed to make
further statement that Mr.. Williams said
! he didn't wish 10 influence his vote in any
way. He resumed After we came in, my
self, my son and Mr. Williams, inside oI
the bar, Mr.. Williams took my son out, and
soon after he came back and told me that
| Mr.. Williams paid him fifteen dollars fOl
staying. / told my son 10 say nothing
about il or il might get us into trouble
They offered me no money. Mr.. Williams
was the only one that talked with me OF
the subject.
Q. What amount Of money did you un
| derstand you could have had if you had
wanted il for voting? A. No offer wa,
made, but ! was led to believe that one
hundred dollars was the sum that was be-
ing offered.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Pond--I under
stood Mr. White to be positive that Mr.
Cooley was using money in favor of thC
bill. Mr.. White expected, at that time, "a
vote for the bill, but in feeling he wat
against it. / never received any money
from those lobbyists They never Offered
me anything didn't know at the time my
son was receiving money that was to inAu
ence my vote. The pass had was for my
self alone my son would have to pay hi
fare on the railroad anyway and the onl,
expense would be in keeping him at tn,
hotel another day. Didn't get any Of tn,
money he gave TO my son.
Q. BY Mr. Gordon-l understood you I,
say that Mr. Williams came to you the
next day and asked il there was anything
back7 A. Yes. That was what under
stood il.
WIN. VanMeter, Representative from
Noble county, tested next;
Ivoted for the bill twice last winter an'
once this winter.