The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-03-15
AFTERNOON SESSION.
SATURDAY EVENING, March 4, /

Senate met as Court of Impeachment
in the trial of Alexander X. Davis. Lieu
tenant Governor of Mississippi, Hon. j. Nj.
Stone in the chair.
The examination of witnesses for the
defense then began, and Beverley Matthews
was called and sworn.
Counsel Spears stated that Counsel Morris
was absent and asked for a delay until he
presented himself.
Senator REYNOLDS objected to any delay
in the proceedings, and shortly afterward
Counsel Morris entered the bar and took his
seat.
you been sworn?
A. have, sir.
@ What is your name?
4. Beverly Matthews.
Q. Where do you reside?
4. Columbus, Mississippi.
q. What is your profession?
A. Practicing lawyer.
@. How long have you resided in Column
bus?
A Since 1915.
Q. How long have you been practicing
your profession?
A Since 1916, when was admitted to the
bar.
@. Do you know a. X. Davis:
y. | do.
Q. Were you in Columbus during March,
April or May of 1875?
"A. Yes. sir, except during the time | was
absent on the circuit. l live in Columbus.
Q. Do you know Henry BarreDtine?
A do.
Q. Do you know OF the killing of Mrs
Ann Thomas in 1874?
A. | know there was such charge and
| have reason to believe there was an in
dictment in Lowudts county. | have never
seen the indictment.
Q. Have you ever been interviewed by
Mr.. Barentine with Il view of procuring a
pardon for his son?
A. | have.
Q. When?
A. think, perhaps as early as March
perhaps February.
@. March or February in last year?
"A. Yes; L have written statements in nv
pocket, which, by permission of the Board
of Managers and the Senate, | will read.
Manager Barksdale stated he had great
objections to these written statements being
read by witness, but he did not object to
witness reading them over to himself. in
order to refresh his memory with any OF
the facts.
Witness stated that he had heard from
reliable authority, that il was not the in
tention of the Board of Managers to sum-
mon him before this Court. and lie had ac
cordingly prepared these statements, in or
der that he might not be suspected OF desi-
ring to conceal anything that he had to re-
veal.
Manager Barksdale arose, and stated that
at the time Col Matthews prepared these
Managing Board. This written statement
was handed to me by Col. Sharpe with re-
quest that | should read it. | did so. and
submitted The. matter to the Committee of
Investigation, who decided at that time, that
Col. Matthews was not necessary or essen
tial to throw any light upon this matter.
For myself and the Board of Managers. |
disclaim any intention to shut out any light
upon this case, and to do an injustice to
Col. Matthews.
NJ. 4
proceed.
Counsel Spears: You say that the first in
terview with Barrentine was in February
or March?
A. Ny recollection is, somewhere in the
early part of February or March, was in
formed by client OF mine, that Mr.. Barren
tine desired to employ me to manage the
defense of his son. When | first saw Mr.. |
Barrentine, am not able to say the dates, |
but | know | saw him prior to the April |
term of our Circuit Court last year. AT the |
April term of the Circuit Court, he came |
to town with his family physician, |
DR.. Munson. was passing from the |
Courtroom to my office. He said he want |
ed to see me, and handed me two sworn |
certificates, one by DR.. Hendricks and Dr. |
Munson, setting forth in fact.
Manager Barksdale objected to anything |
in fact.
Well, | was handed two sworn certif-
Gates, as was supposed, of the condition OF |
young Barrentine at the time of the killing
of Mrs. Ann Thomas. DIR. MunsOn went into |
my office with me, ana Mr.. Barrentine went
out soon after Mr.. Barrentine came in
and asked me if | could procure pardon
from Gov. Ames on these two certificates
told him l did not think could influence
Gov. Ames in any direction on that subject
and l gave him my reasons why | could not
influence him.
Q. State your reasons.
y. The reason was that some time during
\ q Inns |
aud there was newspaper report of a diff
guilty between some friends of mine and
Ames. l gave him that a reason why l
,ould not go to Gov. Ames. He said he was
willing g pay 81, 250 for the pardon of his
son. | never said anything about the sum
If money; but, stating to him that
could not approach Governor Ames
personally. l said to him that Lieu
# Ames' political household. and supposed
o be in cordial relations with him, and |
would place these certificates in his hands
md invite him TO procure the pardon
either that day or the next, l saw Gov. :
Davis and asked him to walk to my office /
nd handed him these certificates. II
Manager Powell objects to anything be- /
ng said setting forth the conversation with +
Davis, on The ground that it would be man
acturing testimony in respondents be- /
alf. +
Counsel Spears argued that the testi- i
lony was now competent, and the chair |,
admitted the matter to the decision of the a
enate, to wit: That the Board of Managers b
bjected to witness narrating conversa- a
on said to have taken place between him t.
nd Davis, at a time that witness was nego- d
ating to secure q pardon from the de- ii
ndant. Shall the objection be sustained s
he roll was called and the objection was i,
lstained by the following vote: v
1EAs.-Messrs. Albright, Barry, Catch h
gs, Chalmers, Everett, FeWelI, Furlong, a