Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-20
Chas. ". johnson, S,corn.

Witness was secretary of the Republican
Congressional committee at Minneapolis dur
ing the late compaign. The committee con-
sisted of Messrs. G. II. Petit, chairman, c.
Fl. Graves, W. W. Griswod Fl. A. Castle and
A. j. Underwood. Witness reco!lected the is
suance OF circular by the committee, calling
upon the office holders and prominent members
of the Republican party in the Third Congress
slonal district, for contributions of funds by
them for the purpose Of conducting the cam
palgn. The circular issued under the au-
thorlty OF the committee, Of which he (witness)
was secretary. The committee had issued cir
culars to about fifty persons.
Ihe circular was nearly the same as the one
which had been published in tne st. Paul DAILY
GLOBE in Oct. 4th, 1878. Witness Was of the
impression that slight interpretations had been
made to the original circular.
discussion followed as to the purport and
originality Of the circular, it being decided, by
general consent, to send a messenger for copy
of The GLOBE obtaining the circular.
Witness could not rememb Der the precise date
on which the circular had been issued.
Question-To what persons were copies of
the circular sent?
Answer-I don't intend to state, save that it
was sent to prominent Republicans in this
district.
Witness had prepared the circular, in con-
sultation with the chairman of the committee :.
The general outline of the circular had been
suggested by another person. Witness declin-
ed to state who the person was, but would say
that no suggestions had been made by Gen.
Washburn.
Replies had been received from some promi-
nent Repu blicans, not from all who were adj
dressed, but could not remember the amount
subscribed. Witness a member of the
printing firm of johnson, Smith & Harrison, Of
Minneapolis.
The blanks for the election returns, to be
used by the judges and clerks of the election,
3l,S7o, had been printed by the contractor Mr.,
f. l.. Smith, member of the firm mentioned.
They were printed In the establishment of the
firm named, under the direction of ]. s. Irgens,
commissioner of public printing, for the State
of Minnesota, according to copy furnished by
him for the election in all the Congressional
districts in this State.
The blanks for the voting districts, Or Judges
OF election omitted the place or heading for
the return of votes cast for members of Con-
gress. The abstract Of votes returned by
county auditors contained the names in the
usual place. As secretary of the committee
witness had not corrected the omissions, as
they were not discovered until after the cleo
ton.
THE CIRCULAR PROVEN.
At this point the messenger returned, and
witness was shown copy OF the GLOBE, dated
Oct. T. containing copy of the circular re-
ferred to, appearing under the head of ''Wash-
burns Barrel as follows:
M1NNEAPoLIs, Sept. 10.
SIR: The Congressional committee, charged
with laboring for the success of the Republican
.use in this district, call with confidence (so)
upon you, as Republican, for such contr
button III money as you may feel willing to
make, hoping that it will not be less than $25
The ommittee deem it proper in thus speak
ing to Republicans, to remind them of the i'm
p)rtance of the i'm pending campaign. That the
United States Senate is to be Democratic after
the 4th of March, 1879, Is very nearly certain.
In of fho oil &c
House of Representatives would precipitate
upon the country dangerous agitations, which
would inevitably, add to the present distresses
and burdens. Among these schemes is the H.
tentlon to attempt the revolutionary expulsion
of the President from his office, the payment of
the rebel claims and war debt, the payment of
the full value of all emancipated slaves and
the unlimited issue of irredeemable paper cur
rency, in place of the present redeemable paper
money, which was issued by authority of a Re-
publican Congress, and by the same party has
been sustained, thereby preserving the national
honor and credit.
Please remit at once, etc.
BY ORDER COMMITTEE.
Witness recognized the circular as genuine
with the exception of the word $50" in paren-
thesis, and the phrase by order of the commit
tee," at the end of the circular. Witness de-
clined to state whether not copies of the cir
cular had been sent to federal office holders.
Witness was acquainted was Loren Fletcher of
hthneapOllS. hneW nlm 10 De prominent
Republican, and respected member of the legis-
latUre from Minneapolis, and he had taken an
active part in the fall campaign in behalf of
Mr.. Washburn.
On cross-examination witness said he did not
know of any corrupt use of money during the
campaign in behalf of Washburn.
Clear Case of Bribery against Waohburn.
The following is abstract of the testimony
taken Feb. 18th, 1878. at 10 A. NJ, before o. W.
Francis, notary public at Fargo, Dakota terri
tory:
CHARLES CLOUTIEK
sworn, says he resided during last fall at Min
neapolis; was in the agricultural machine bust
ness. About the second Friday or Saturday
before the election, last November, he was in
his office in Minneapolis when he was called on
by John Baxter, who asked him how politics
was with him. Witness told Baxter he was, as
usual, Democrat. He asked me who was
going to support for Congress. I told him that
l would support Donnelly; that the Demo-
cratic party had endorsed him, and should
support him. He then asked me whether ar
engagements could be made so that would go