The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-30

The Invesiiaation Before the senate Comn,it-
tee on Privileges aud Elections.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 2y.-rhc Senate Com
mittce on Privileges aud Elec,ions began the
taking Of testimony in regard to the Oregon
case this morning. The Hon. stephen Chad
wick, Secretary OF State Of Oregon, testified that
the first intimation he had OF Watts being Post
master was after the election last November.
He canvassed the vote oil the state OH the day
and In the manner prescribed by law, and moth
Ing was said that day about Watts being inellRi-
BILE for the Office of Presidential elector. lie did
not prepare lists OF the electors voted for with
the vote Of each attached. aud under the seal OF
the state. The Governor prepared the lists
after looking up the law on that subject, as he
and witness IN conversation agreed to comply
with the acts of Congress and the statutes OF
Oregon as nearly as possible.
To Senator Mitchell--There were no armed
men in the Capitol on the day the Electoral
College met to my knowledge.
r anator Kernan-Cronln received the high
OF ,ber OF votes for clcctor on tho Demo-
cratic ticket, which was 1916 VI ats received
lj,2oG votes. The official canvass was made by
me on Dec. 4, and the Electoral College met on
the 9th inst. The law OF Oregon requires mo TO
canvass the vote In the presence Oi the Governor
and the other state officials. On the daY follow
lug the canvass tue point o. to whether the Gov
ernDr had the right 20 appoint Crenn In place Of
TO he Ineligible. There was hearing on tins
subject before the Governor. and protest was
Icau IRON pr, odcll against tronins appoint
ment. On the 9TH inst. Nr. Hoogkins came To
me, and gave him certified lists ~ the electors
voted for. with the vote Of elch attached ON
the day the Electoral College met | went. at IL
o'clock. to tho room Of their meeting, and
handed the certificates 90 SIR. Cronin. VINO came
the tepublcan and Democratic electors were IN
the room at tho timc.
w. II. Odeli of Il iecne CITY, Oregon. testified
AZ an n n nat If a
College he went with Messrs. Cartwright aud
Watts TO the Secretary of state 10 procure tine
certihc ties Of election. They were referred to
the Governor. who said that at " O'clock the
certificates would he gwen the electors Ia the
room Of their meeting. At the tine specified
Mr.. Chadwick, the Secretary of STATE, handed
an envelope through tue door to Mr.. CrOnn.
who stood nearest Il Mt the time. MIR. CrDnn
took papcr from the envelope aud rcad that
part of winch certified that Meesrs. Cartwright
Odell, aud Cronn were eligible and had pccn
elected Presidential electors. MIR. Cartwright
went toward Cr0niD. and Cronin returned the
paper to the envelope and put 70 In his coat
pocket. On being requested by witness aud Mr.
fused He also declined To give no toe cerih-
ties OF amy Of the electors. The college was or
gauiZed. W itness was CHOSEN Chairman ami Mr..
Cartwright secretary. AS chairman of the COLLEGE
witness asked MIR. trOnin 10 produce the cnrtin-
Gates Of the electors for the guidance Of the
college. He declined to do so. MIR. Watts then
rendered his resignation a. an elector, and It
was accepted. MIR. Cronin then said You re-
fuse Co recognize me = Witness roplIed " No.
sir 4; but We want the certificates. You must
not think thar we will not act with you, ana you
must never 60 from here aud saw that we would
not act win you" Mr.. Cronin then left the part
of the room where the college was sitting. and
tue college then proceeded To cast the vote. Mr..
Watts Oeing elected TO MI The vacancy IN the
Electoral College caused " MS own resigna-
non. itLess heard OF n purpose 10 arre-t
any one on the DAY the Electoral College met.
saw no armed men, hut have since heard tnat
there we're twenty IN a room near wnere the CO.-
legt met.
Al this point the committee adjourned until
tomorrow. when the examination 81 Odell Will
be continued. Mr. Chad wick was also notified
to he present. rs the Committee may wish to Ie-
call him for further examination.
The committee, at the request Of Senator ker-
nan. ordered a subpoena TO DE issued Tor l.. A.
CrouIn. IL Was served on MIN this afternoon Ia
this CItv.
The Republican electoral votes OF Oregon were
Yesterday delivered t. Senator f-rTV by Gen.
Odell. In the presence of Senator Mitchell. No
receipt was given. Both 80 : Of Oregon electoral
lolurus have also been received 10y mail.