Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-18
The Investigation of Senator Spencer.
Interesting Revelations Of Alabama
Politics..

OF senator spencer Dy the Alabama leg1SIa-
ure, and the alleged irregularities connect
ed with the same, and was resumed this AZ
ternOUn.
Robert EaTber testified that he was a clerk
Ger promised him an appointment He as ked
him IL he (B wanted 70 be u. s. Marshal for
Alabama in Gen. Healey's place. The wit
beye =, If vou yes, Spencer s sa a. H gu may
time expires" On one occasion, before the
election OF Spencer, in his room in the Madt-
witness came In with two colored members
of the legislature, and he (wituess) said to
them that Spencer would give them an Of
fee. Spencer said In their presence that he
could not make auy promises, out that there
were two vacancies as mail route agents, but
HAT they the two members) would be pro-
Weed for. Witness was friend of Spencer,
and
WAS WORKING IN sPENCER'S INTEREST,
ard ne (witneSs) guarded these two legiSla-
tors all night. In the morning he took them
both to SpeDCer'S room in the Madison
house. Witness was told to do this, as il
was understood that they were disaffected
and might probably vote against him or go
into the other legislature, the capitol legisla-
ture Spencer WIS elected by tAe court ilouse
legislature; don't think that there was any
conversation with them in relation To vot-
ing for Spencer. Witness then said, Come
and have breakfast; &c is prepared for you,v
There was an effort made by both sides at
that time 10 defeat quorum, one side try
irg to keep quorum out OF the CAPITOL
legislature and the other side TO prevent a
quorum in the court house legislature. NV
understanding was that they had been
OFFERED $4,000
to go into the C1pitOl legislature
Gen. Morgan, counsel for the Alabama me-
moriaiists, objected to the witnesses stating
aDythip about understandings" He desir
that the fSCts only come out-and not any
understandings"
By. Gen. Logan.-The motive OF the witness
in guarding these two men was because he
wanted them TO vote for Spencer. In answer
To another question witness said both OF
them did vote for Spencer, who prior to
that time had been nominated by caucus
Ct TT pu blicans. There was no opposition To
Spencer in the Court House legislature i'm
The election, though there was an effort after
tue election pending question OF Consoiida-
tiOD, and which was the legal legislation tn
elect some one else. Don't know any reason
which influenced Spencer to offer him the
position of United States marshal. Recol-
lects no consideration except that he (wit-
messy had worked very hard for Spencer's iu-
terest and that of the republican party.
By Senator Logan.-Tbe two members of
the legislature Carson and MoOre) were re
nominated and elected by the assistance OF
witness, who was sent over into their dis
trict to work for them by Senator Spencer.
By Gen. Logan.-The talk l bad with
Spencer in regard to him giving me the posi-
ton of l. =. marshal might have been a
month before the election. Think the con
versatioD occurred before the state ele ;.lon.
There was no one else present at the time,
and after had taken the journey to Iowa
Ges county.
q. Did Senator Spencer furnish you any
MONAY
10 go on that enterprise?
To this question eX Senator CARPENTER
counsel for Senator Spey Ger objected, tax
Jug the grounds that no proof can be given
before the committee showing that any one
had been bribed; that bribery was punisha-
bic by the state. The witness was directed
TO answer the question, and he did so by
stating that Senator Spencer furnished one
OF the party $500 for expenses. The reason
they went there was 10 defeat man named
Stanwood, VINO was an enc ny of Spen -eTs.
Moore, the coloret man, VINO Was elected
Il his place, was also entrusted u %
IutO other counties and induce persons 10
run as independent cane iiates, the expenses
If the canvass 10 be paid by Spencer or the
state committee, he fOTgets which. Remem-
beIs that Spencer told him 20 go.
A NUMBER OF LETTERS
written by Spencer and Kinds in relation TO
the Office mentioned were then identified BIZ
The witness, and the offer made to put them
IN evidence.
Mr. Carpenter objected to the letters, argu-
ing tbat no conspiracy has as yet been shown
between Spencer ana Kinds.
Senator Morton said the committee bal
decided tn allow the letters 10 go In as EVIL
dence.
After reading the letters Mr.. CARPENTER
said he would make another objection, that
the let ers were iTrelaveut.
The fri letter from Kinds to Barber dated
May 6, 1873, set forth that ''he would take
care of friends first and that matters look
cheerful for ali expecting appointments, and
L think IL in my power To put out Healey.n
The rext letter was similar in import, al
ding that he would like TO get full name and
address of every republican member OF the
legislature, as he desired TO send them some
important documents, &c.
The next letter enclosed
A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT
for Barber in the custom house In Mobile,
ard telling him the republicans were sure 10
carry the state; AMI that they wee going to
realize q big role.
Mr.. Carpenter again objected to the let
tiers.
Gen. Morgan said he would show that this
temporary appointment was given to Bar
Der 10 support him until he received a bstter
one, and that 1t was understood that he was
whatever. Senator Morton said for the pre-
sent the letters received would lay upon the
table, and II they were connected in any
way they would be admitted.
Gen. Morgan to the witnesS.-Tell lis
whether you Afterwards asked Senator Spen-
Ger for the officer which he promised you?
Mr.. Carpentef.-To that object.
Senator Morton, after argu ment, said the
committee would allow the question to be
asked.
Question by Mr.. Morgan:-After the cleo.
ton of Spencer did you ask him for the mar
shalship or any other Office?
A. Yes; Mr.. Spencer wrote me that /
should have 1t; j have letter from him,
stating that i should have the marshalshtp
Witness produced the letters.) They were
received by me year after his election.
AN UNWILLING WITNESS.
have tried 10 forget all ABOUT this matter,
and am here against my wAl. 1t Is very
unpleasant for me TO give this testimony,
and although was not ordered to bring the
letters here, have brought them for the
purpose or SUSTAINING my testimony and
Character, as Understood that an ATTEMPT
would be rnarie 10 break them down.
one OF The letters from Spencer, dated No
vember q, no year, was read, saying: "Hsa-
ley's time soon expires, and you shall have
the place" and that the Office would be
worth $500 year. The!letter adds that
4 ~ A. IT = .