Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-28
On Wednesday last, Conklin gave

y
his testimony before the committee
having the investigation in charge, and
we reproduce the Chicago Tribune's
report of the same that our readers
may see how exceedingly gauzy the
story is. 1t falls far short of the al
legations put forth in his written state
ment, and proves what we have re-
peatedly said as to his unreliability.
We ask a careful perusal of the evi.
dence. 1t convicts Conklin nc only
of having lied to McKenny and Dixon
and obtaining his promised immunity
through fraudulent representations, but
also gives the lie to the Jefferson Ban
ner and kindred organs of the Confed-
crate democracy which have been max
ing incorrect and scandalous charges
as to Carpenters and Keyes' opera
tions with Conkliu. Their lying will
60 on as usual, however, and Carpen-
ter, Reyes and others will be traduced
and denounced as though they had
committed some fragrant wrong In
view Of the unprecedented and malig-
nant manner in which the democratsin
congress are carrying on their star
chamber Investigations of republicans,
it is reasonable to suppose that SINH
lar spirit will actuate their followers in
the country. In the end, however,
right will triumph, and these defamers
of our public men will meet their re.
ward.
Following is condensed report of
Conklin's testimony, alluded to above,
80 far as his statements relate to Car
penter and Keyes:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 2l.-The inves-
tigation OF the Milwaukee, Whisky Ring
affair was resumed to-day. s. j. Conklin,
late of Canada, formerly Revenue Agent,
and now professional Government squealer,
commenced his testimony. His direct ex-
animation was not quite completed. judge
Cate. WIS holds seat in Congress by the
grace of God and two votes acted as priu-
cipal prosecutor, and conducted the prose-
cution with a zeal born of malice. The
committee decided that the eX-parte
statemen: made by Conklin, when beyond
the border, to keep himself outside the
prison bals, could not be taken as evidence
here. Judge Cate, however, took from
Conklin his copy of this statement, and
asked him leading questions from il, and
constantly put IN Conklin's mouth the most
damaging statements. The Committee was
Obliged at times to interrupt Cate in his
examination, and to strike the answers
from the record. Conklin, IN some parti-
culars, sustained the statement which con-
stitutes his safe-corduct from Canada and
upon which be claims he was promised i'm
munity.
In no instance, however, did he claim or
state that Matt Carpenter or Keyes had any
knowledge OF the existence of an organiza-
ton in Milwaukee to defraud the revenue, or
y
siStance whatever TO any one engaged in
the business. His testimony was princi-
pally hearsay and inference. 1t is evident
from Conklin's testimony that, concious of
his wrong doing, he labors to make it ap-
pear that his interest in promoting the SEN
atorial election was the cause of all his
misdeeds. The witness was often excited.
His testimony was in the nature of an bar
angue with the Committee Conklin swore
that up to the time of his arrest, and while
he was appealing TO Carpenter and Keyes
for friendship and support, he protested his
entire Innocence to them. He also said be
was Of the opinion that they thought him
innocent
In his published statement Conklin said
that keyes advised him to 90 to Canada
In his evidence to- day Conkln was not so
positive on that point. He could only
swear that it was his understanding He
paid money to Reyes during the Senatorial
canvass at Madison. He says he frs pro-
posed to Reyes and others that he would
collect some money to held pay expenses;
that he received money of Wirtn and Nun
nemacher and paid it to Reyes on two diff
ferent occasions-the first time about 5000
The last time be did not count it, but
thinks about $780, He did not tell Keyes
where the money came from He indeed,
| admitted that Reyes said to him that he
wanted to break up the nest of thei yes in
| Milwaukee. Conklin did not venture to
swear TO all the lnferences,,of DISPLACEMENT.
He failed entirely to connect Carpenter aud
Reyes with the Ring.