The Morning herald., 1876-01-21

/
sembly, whose name was Goodies, with
drew from thu body, but being extends
pledges that if he would return and us
influence for 6pencer,di 90, and was subse
quently appointed collector Of the port O
Mobile. Senator Wilson was opposed t.
Mr. Speucsrs's second election, but upor
being folded into the dock, was appointed
postmaster At Montgomery.
The following, taken from the evidenct
adduced before this Committe of 1nvesti'
cation, will show how completely Spence,
had control over all United States gov.
ernment officers in that State and how
closely he exercised the aid
and power extended him by the depart
msnt officials at Washingtonain, discharg-
ing and employing at convenience to
suit his own election:
"HenryC. Thrower, of Mobile, a Gus
tom-house official, testified THAT while
Mr.. Spencers election was pending, de-
mand was made on every Federal Office.
holder in tho Custom-house building II
Mobile for money, with the understaadin
that, if it was not paid, they would be
turned out Of Office. Thrower said he did
not pay them; they just took it. Tnere
were two or three assessments; $40 at one
time, $50 at another, and, he thinks, $l6
at another. He signed vouchers for the
full amount Of his monthly pay, ranging
from $l2O to 1924. At the time hs was
assessed $40, he received $50 on the
voucher for $l20. At the time he was as
sesssd $40, he received $lo4 ON the voucher
tor $l24. At the time he was assessed
Sl5, he received $l0b on the voucher for
Sl2O. At the same time that he signed
the vouchers, he gave orders on the Col
lector authorizing these amounts to be
deducted from his salary. All the Fed
eral officers did The same. All the en-
ployes Of the Custom house received letters
from Deputy Collector D. c. Rugg, setting
or.h that if they did not feel disposed to pay
hese assessments, their designations would
be accepted, as there were others who
would pay literally for the positions Mr.
rhrower also testified that there were
many persons drawing pay as Federal
officials in Mobile, but who performed no
luties."
This is the man who now comes forward
Is an honest representative of the people
If Alabama in the United States
congress, and to further show
low far in collusion Spencer was with the
'owen that be in Washington, those mem.
'ers Of the Court House Assembly, which
lected Spencer to the U. 8. Senate, have
ii since received federal appointments as
ollows: .
Mr.. Pennington has been made Gov.
rnor Of Dakota Mr.. Duskin, District
attorney Of the Southern District of Ala.
anna Mr.. Wilson, Postmaster at Mont
omery Mr.. Goodloe, Collector of the
'ort of Mobile; P. s. Clarke, Special
agent of the Post-O6ie Department Mr.. ,
cochran, Postmaster at Selma John
)ustan, Treasury Agent, Senator Baker.
Jnited States Marshal OF the Northern
)istrict Of Alabama; Senator Chisholm,
)nited States Inspector Of Customs Mr..
,ereen, Postmaster at Demopolis Mr..
fcAfee, United States District Attorney"
This is certainly system of political !
aginserinr that should deservedly be call i
! the apencsrian system. i
And if ever man had his reputation Ii
lackened BY low and disreputable acts,
by his own hand, that man is a q
gorge L. Spencer, who new represents f,
Q State Of Alabama in the U. S. Senate, \
a shame and disgrace 10 all that is re- p
ecable in American honor and states G
anship.