The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-03-17
OPINION OF SENATOR CHAL-
NaEHsS..
In the Matter Of Impeachment Of Alexan-
der X. Davis, observation-disclosures
of the State OfMississippi.

The facts in this case are few and simple
Thomas III. Barrentine was charged with
| ne murder of Ann Thomas in Lowndes
county. Miss. Some time in the spring of
| 1875, Col Beverly Matthews sent MESA ge
by Major Gibb- to Henry Barrentne, the
| father. that he could procure a pardon tor
his son. An interview was had between
| hem on this subject and Matthews said he
could obtain the pardon for $4,000. Barren
! tine thought this too much and the matter
was dropped. Subsequently Barrentine
procured some affidavits and certificates
| tending to mitigate the killing, and Mat
thews having seen these, proposed with the
aid of these certificates to get the pardon
for 81 $50. Barrentine agreed and furnish
ed that amount of money TO Matthews and
he deposited it in his wife's name in the
bank at Columbus. Matthews at once in
terviewed Davis on the subject, and, as he
says, asked his assistance to get a pardon
from Governor AmeS. If this is true it
strikes US as a little remarkable, that Mat
thews, who, on account of hotel difficulty,
was unfriendly with Ames should have pro-
posed to get pardon from him and next
that he should have called upon Davis to
assist him when it was well known that
Davis was not on friendly terms with the
Governor. But according to his statement
Matthews proposed to Davis to get the par
don from Governor Ames for him. Davis
objected because he had issued the proc
lamation for arrest and suggested the en-
plOyment of Packer aud the payment of
money to him for his influence over Gov
ernor Ames. But no price was then agreed
upon. Packer tells us that Davis did en-
ploy him and promised him 5000, but ex-
actly when that EN- ployment was, although
material question in the case, is left in
doubt by the testimony. And it is again
singular that Governor Ames remembers
that Davis, the employer, asked him to par
don Barrentine, but does not remember that
Packer, the employed, ever did. The Gov
ernOr left jackson on the Doth of May and
while he was passing through Louisiana,
Davis took possession of the office and is
sued pardon to Thomas III. Barrentine on
the 2lst OF May, but did no other guberna-
torlal act, land with the ink scarcely dry upon
the pardon Went that night to Columbus
ana offered il for sale TO Col. Matthews in
lieu OF the one expected from Ames: and
when It's validity was questioned and paw
ment refused he chartered over II like a ped |
diar over his wares and finally promised if |
that Was not good to make another that
should be- In the meantime Barrentine |
had became alarmed about the safety of his |
money and compelled Matthews to give it
up. This caused delay and necessitated the |
sendlpG after Barrentne. Davis became |
Impatient, and being d little intoxicated |
threatened TO "raise fuss if this matter /
was not promptly settled" When Barren
tine came he was dissatisfied with the par
don becau7e it was act from Ames, but af-
ter consultation with friends and by tele
graphing finding out that Ames was prob
ably out OF the State when the pardon WAS
lssued,he determined Ito risk it, aud trust
the negro" By "risk it, he meant to keep
the pardon he had, and by trust the negro
he meant TO trust TO Davis promise to get a
PARDON from Ames or make another that
should be unquestionable. Upon this trust
he gave Z bis check for Sl,25Q aud said
hand this TO Bey." Gibbs took the check
late Saturday evening. On Sunday morn
ing he loaned Davis 800. Afterward
ne collected the check, appropriated 500
to reimburse himself for what he had
loaned Davis, deposited $500 with
Dowslng to be paid to A. G. Packer
On the presentation of a pardon for
Thomas II. Barrentine, took n dunlicate
receipt from Dowsing, reciting this fact. de-
iYered one of these receipts TO Davis and
ilYided the balance OF the money with
Matthews. Davis, according to contract.
ssued uhe new pardon as soon as Ames left.
n June; went to Columbus with the mar j
lon and receipt, presented them to Dowsine ,
md demanded the Packer money. which
vas paid GO him by Dowsing in one HIM /
tred-dollar bills, as Gibbs had paid them /
n. a
The simple question Is: Does this max. {
ut case OF bribery? Bribery is the re-
Giving or Offering of any undue rewanIaby {
# TO any person whose business relates to {
he administration of public Justice, in order i
Q Influence his behavior in office and in 4
line him TO act contrary to the known / h
uies of honesty and integrity 3 Green 4
eafs Evidence, sec. y; 2 Archbold. 90. 3: '
Russell on Crimes, l54.