The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-22


know to what use IT would DO put Attorney General
Williams told him he directed to pay II by order OF
the President he said 10 Williams that II Daven-
port had right TO draw any money he ought 10
draw u directly, and not through him. tho Attorney
General said q the desire OF tho President that tho
money should be drawn In that way.
O. What reasons ili Williams givo for objection to
payment OF this money! A. suppose because OBJ
jcced; can not say positively; do not know that
Williams know what II TO be used for.
The witness thought Davenport II he Lad
employed men, ought 10 havo sent them
TO him for payment; ne could not tell
whether tho direction or order OF tho President
was verbally writing; Williams said he over
ruled in tho matter by tho President, Williams
told him he thought that the money ought not TO DO
paid out in that way. In answer 10 question, tho
witness said had not Davenport been republican he
would not have received the money In that way they
did not deal with democrats politically.
q State II you not know that the money used
for campaign and improper purposes in the election
there. A. Not OF my knowledge because was
never called ON TO spend dollar OF 1t in any way,
shape or manner. beyond paying It to Davenport The
witness said the money not accounted tor in the
department; there in thu, department receipts
from Davenport; no thought tho committee would
find by examination that, in addition what he paid
Davenport, the department paid him largo amount
OF money for the services he rendered in New
York.
O. Do you know what services? A. No, but shink
II was something in regard to tho election. The WIT
ness said he himself drew. in tho space or four years,
IRON 1871 to 1874 inclusive from sl2o, 900 $4,000
and OF this he PAID Davenport lIc mado returns
from time to time Of his o.n dongs. but did not
der accounts OF hls expenditures. His reports show
that he employed Tor purposes these
He requested settle. They had confidence
In him and he received orders for the money drawn
by Williams The Pay Department
The following extracts from the testimony OF
Attorney General Williams relating tho payments OF
money 10 Dayenport:--
Y. Did understand you to say It was Mr. whitley
or Mr. Davenport that brought you tho note from the
President TO pay the money Davenports A. Mr.. Da-
vcnport.
Q DO you know what has become OF the note A.
am not able to state; will say the President
cnstomcd TO write on a card, sometimes little
piece Of paper any little communication that he wished
to make me, and these communications never
preserved; they thrown away destroyed.
Q. In addition to that you had u conversation with
the President the subects A. II had, sir
Q. II understand you. you objected 10 paying out
the money because you thought IL did not lcgilmaely
come in your department? A. No, not exactly that;
did not want TO pay out the funds because did not
know anything about the purposes to which these
funds DO applied except IRON representations
made to me by Mr. Davenport, and /
not willing to allow him TO have money
upon his representations: at tho same time
was reluctant about paying the money because
wanted this fund.- as thought for many purposes, and
all had TO economic in every way 10 make the appro-
priation the expenses the department; at
sam lima mt dpr that MIC In
this way II, my judgment, II proper. and If tho
expenditure Of this money in that way would tend TO
prevent frauds In elections prevent crimea
q When Mr.. Davenport applied to you for this
money did he state to you for what purpose he wanted
1T A. Yes. sir, that was distinctly understood all
around between the President and myself and Mr..
Davenport.
O. You refused until he brought you letter from
the President directing that should be paid. Was IL
q direction request A. will not be certain
whether he made application to me in tho first
place for the money and declined without further in
formation, whether the rst instance he brought
this note from tho President, which was tho first
knowledge that had that he was to have any such
money; cannot be certain about that but am
certain that this note came, which think con-
tanned request to allow Mr. Davenport to have
money for that purpose; subsequently, when Mr. Dav
export Tor money, was reluctant about letting
IL CO. and he tho President and came back and
the President thought that he might have moro
money for that purpose, and allowed It TO go in
that way.
q Then the work not just bcguns II these ffty
one hundred books had accumulated they probably
had been used IN years in the electioDss A.
think thoy all made by Mr. Davenport and his
assistants; think Mr. Davenport invented the SYSTEM
and have heard remarked that tho invention itself
exhibits genus in that way; have heard people speak
or the work very enthusiastic terms, asserting that
Mr.. Davenport Is great genius the way OF invent
ing system to prevent fraud and also exhibits great
energy and skill In perfectng tho system
q Was that any part OF his duty officer OF tho
governments A. don't think it
q Anybody else could have done that, except COM
missioner OF elections Was that the business OF q
supervisor Of electionss A. don't think II Is tho
duty Of supervisor Of election to prepare such
work, showing registration OF the voters, but II Is
made by law III, duty OF tho supervisor in caso he
considers It necessary 10 prevent frauds at elections
have made him by his subordnatcs lists OF The
gistcred voters in each election precinct in his
district so that this, rs l understand. was to be
regarded substitute for those lists that the law
quircs the subordnatcs OF the Supervise make but
don't undertake to say that il his duty to mako
any such book.
O. Then this enterprise upon which Davenport
entered thing that the law did require MN to
do under the ofco that he held IL noty Is It laid
Gown by law OF his duties? A. / do not under
stand that It was his duty 10 do 1t.
q. Did not you approve OF this enterprise OF his
a. did not know anything about II.
q. lie told you-dd he nots A. He did, but was
wiling TO upon his representations, until
had ned from satisfactory me that
he engaged upon sucn work; learned from the
President. who understood, had examined tho
work.
O Did You consult any other source than the Prosi-
dcntg A. did not
a Then you never ordered any money 70 be paid to
Davenport until he FIRST brought you a order
from the Prcsidcnty A. did not, sir.
Where Is that written order from tho Prcsidenty A.
dont know. sir; VIII not say that II written