The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-07
WASHINGTON.
The Iowa Election Gases.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-The House Commit
tee ON Elections expect to dispose of the Iowa
election cases at the next meeting.
The Warner Silver Bill Postponed to De-
cember.
AT special meeting of the Senate finance
committee to decide whether or not the Warner
silver bill will be taken up during the present
session, it was fiualy voted on motion of Mr..
Morrill, to postpone it until December.
The Army Appropriation Bill.
The House committee on appropriations au-
thorized Representative Clymer to report for
printing, and recommitted the army appropria-
tons bill agreed upon by a joint Democratic
caucus with unimportant changes
The bill to be introduced making provisions
for judicial expenses" of the government, the
same having been omitted from the legislative,
executive and judicial bill, was discussed
somewhat at the meeting, but not finally con-
cluded upon. The committee anticipate finish
ing that measure tomorrow.
Secretary Sherman on the Silver Cues
ton.
John Sherman said yesterday in reply to a
Baltimore banker who expressed a wish that
the silver question was as securely adjusted as
the gold question is: THAT question has got
among the demagogues land they want to make
capital out of it, If let alone the silver cues
questions. Silver continues to rise in value,
and the silver in a dollar is today worth SO
cents against SO cents short time ago."
Miscellaneous.
The House committee on appropriations
adopted report recommending the payment
of $4,000 to the owner Of steamer "Cheeny,"
seized and destroyed while plying the Missis-
sippi river during the war.
There appears to be general indisposition
to attend the sessions OF committees and it
seems probable few if any reports will be made
except from the committee on appropriations
before the regular session.
The Spofford- Kellogg Case.
The Senate committee on privileges and
elections resumed the Spofford-Kellogg in
vestigation this morning.
Judge Merrick, counsel for Spofford offered
in evidence the affidavit of Jos. j. job nson,
read during his examination yesterday, the
purpose being to impeach the credibility OF
Johnson's oral denials of the truth of its con-
tents, also to lay the foundation for the truth
which Judge Merrick said he would hereafter
adduce to show that this witness since making
the affidavit has been subjected to influence of
seductive benefits and also of intimidation.
A long discussion ensued between opposing
counsel as to the admissibility of the affidavit
for either or both these purposes, Judge Shell
labarger in behalf of Kellogg contending that
it was wholly incompetent for the Spofford
side to claim that the allegations of the Aft
davit subsequently repudiated by the men
who affixed his signatures to it should be
received and treated as prima facie testimony.
1t was finally determined that counsel should
submit the legal authorities upon which
they respectively relied, and that the question
at issue should be left for the committee s
decision hereafter.
Thomas Murray, colored, called as witness
on behalf of Spofford, testified that he was
Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representa-
tives of the Packard Legislature; had charge
Of the building in which it held its session and
stayed there day and night throughout the
three months session of 1S76-77; Col. Sauer
occupied room next to his: Gov. Kellogg on
a number of occasions directed witness to con-
duct various members of the Legislature to
Sauer's office; did not know what the purpose
was.
for?
A.-Some have.
Q.-What did they tell you?
Mr.. Shellabarger objected to the question on
the ground that it proposed to elicit merely
"hearsay evidence" and considerable argu-
| ment ensued as to its admissbity.
Finally Mr.. Hill moved that it be admitted
which motion was carried.
Messrs. Hill, Vance, Houston and Bailey in
the affirmative, and ingalls, and Cameron in
| the negative.
Odd any of these men who were men,
bers of the Legislature, and whom you took to
Sauer's room, tell you when they came out
| what it was for?
A-The men who came before the election
| WOlO udIu up duu Wucu tuoy Cdlllo luty ScI-
| orally went to the Governor for little money.
have taken men on various times from my
| Office to Sauers Office
Q-When you took those men up to Sauer's
office did you know from anything they told
| you what they went there for?
Ayes. Some said they went to see when
their warrants would be ready, and others that
| they went to get money.
Q-Money for what?
A-Voting for Gov. Kellogg.
Odd they show the money they got?
A-Some did.
Q-How much did they show you?
A-As high as $500.
Q-How many showed you money which
they got?
A-Two OF three.
GLOW many others told you they got
money from Sauer for Kellogg but did not
show it?
A-The general talk around my office was
that there were a good many of them. 1 did
not count them. I did not believe everything
heard the people say
Q-You saw some money?
Al saw some have as high as 5000, which
they said they got for voting for Kellogg; but
they were colored men, and 1 do not rely on
everything they say.