The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-30
BEN HILLS STATEMENT.
WHAT THE GEORGIA SENATOR HAS TO
SAY OF THE COLQUlTT IN
vEsTIGATION.

How the Adoption or the Committees
Report VIII AFFECT the Democratic
Party-The Relations Between Col.
quit and Hill.
Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore Gazettel
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-In regard to the
contest between Gov. Colquitt, Of Georgia,
and Senator Hill, the latter subjected himself
to-day to the following interview. The Sena-
tor said:
"In my opinion It Is not too much to say
that II the report OF the majority shall be
adopted by the Legislature the Democratic
organization In Georgia will be disgraced and
everything before them; yes, and they ought
to do It, II the Democratic party shall UNDER
take to carry Murphy and his corrupt ring
(for he has q ring the people Of Georgia viii
not carry the Democratic organization. and
must not be adopted. and shall not be II can
prevent it.. Colquitt's moral character must
be saved, because 1t ought to be saved and
Justly, but Murphy has no moral character,
and his ring no moral nor political worth, and
no party can save them or ought to try to
Gov Colquitt has been made victim by his
own good nature, by unfortunate circum-
stances, and by a lot OF very bad men around
him, who pretend to be his frinnds, but VINO
Democratic party and nothing for the State
or people OF Georgia. except as they can use
each or all for their own selfish ends.
you can see that II he had separated from
so all this subsequent trouble would have
been avoided"
Reporter-And there is the point, Senator.
Why did he not separate from Murphy? The
reasons he gives are clearly insufficient. How
Mr.. Hili-Weli, I explain it in this way: In
nature. habits and character Colquitt is q
good man. He has fair mind, but 1t Is nei--
Their quick nor discriminating. He has keen
sense OF obligation and for several years has
nature, habits and character, Murphy is q
very bad man, but he is sharp In his line and
knows how to use men as well as Office for
his purposes. He soon saw Colquitts weak
point, and took prompt possession Of It, He
has most assuredly in some way brought
Colquitt under obligations to him and this
whole case shows his confidence In the power
which this obligation gave him over the Gov
ernor. He first exacted ST., 900. He fell to
$4,000 only after his victim-the rolling mill
unable to pay the levy, was about to give up
all efforts for the Endorsement, and Mr.. Good
now had actually left for the North to make
other arrangements. It was while GoOdnow
was gone that he finally traded with Merrill
at lower figure. ALI this shows his conf
dence in his power over the Governor. In
deed the whole case shows that during the
whole Investigation Murphy and Colquitt
seemed to be making common cause.
Rep.-Senator, you must admit that the
taking Of money by q salaried clerk In the
executive department to influence the official
act OF the Governor was itself corruption, and
the Government admits that he knew Muir
ply, clerk, was interested In that indorse-
ment.
Mr. HILL do admit 1t was corruption, and
no instance OF that class OF corruption was
ever more clearly proved, or more distinctly
marked, or more feebly excused. And Col
quit does admit he knew Murphy was inter-
ested. And all this will be made 50 clear to
the Legislature that do not believe there
will be q dissenting voice in that body on the
subject Of Murphy" corruption. SO the re-
turning boards Ia Louisiana and Florida were
yet he has rewarded every scOundrel OF them,
but it does not follow that Hayes was bribed.
Hayes and Colquitt are both good men, con-
troiled by the sense OF obligation to bad men,
though the cause of the obligation In the two
cases Is different. We need not conclude that
either was bribed, but both have been kind, to
the public injury and their own detriment.
Rep.-Senator, how does 1t happen you
have been 80 misrepresented In the natter
1t seems no sensible man can doubt both the
friendship and the wisdom Of your advice to
Gov Colquitt.
Mr.. Hill-Oh, all the Misrepresentation was
gotten up by Murphy and his sympathisers;;
He has no sympathisers but his partners and
hirelings, and they are reckless, active and
mendacious. They have sought to keep
Murphy and Colquitt together, in order to
save Murphy. ] have sought to get Murphy
and Colquitt apart, so as to save Colquitt and
the Democratic party. Thus far admit they
have the advantage In the fight. Murphy
has q majority Of the committee.
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