The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-29
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
Examination of Witnesses at the Grand
Hotel

AT the meeting OF the committee tnlS
morning all the members were present ex-
cept Mr.. Carlisle. Mr.. Kenna in the chair.
The first witness examined was Samuel
II. Drew Prosecuting Attorney of the
county. He testified that he had list of
the names of the men from Covington who
were in the city on election day under the
charge of Mr.. Francis.
There were thirtv-seven men in all and
they were employed and paid by the Re-
publican Executive Committee to watch
the polls. Mr.. Francis is a private detec-
tive and has been employed for the same
purpose years before. These men
were scattered about the city at the
different voting precincts, and Mr.
Francis went about from place to
place. He did not know where the
men were stationed at the time, nor did he
think that any of the candidates did. The
men were paid he thought So for their
days work, but the Executive Committee
were short of funds, and did not place any
The candidates paid the most of
the assessments. but he did not know
that any other money was collected. He
heard that Mr.. Hale brought 81, 900 from
Washington, but he had been told by men
who knew that there was no truth
in the statement. He was pres
ent in Court when Mr.. Sayler made the
proposition to the different commit
tees of the respective parties
proposing the names for Supervisors,
but the Court did not comply. He knew
none OF the Deputy Marshals, nor saw
any on election day. He knew that Birn-
baum was the Chief Deputy, but he had
nothing to do with the appointment of the
lnt, rIn Do, Evn ottti iuaf
mittee held daily meetings for two
weeks before the election, but he
did not know of any meeting
where the candidates were brought together
for the purpose of assigning them their
duty. The men from Kentucky were as
signed to duty for the most part in the
river wards, which are strongly Democratic
wards. These men were not employed to
vote, and he had good reason to believe
that none of them voted. The Executive
Committee and chiefs in the wards knew
who these men were and where they were
placed. They were not the best citizens of
Kentucky, nor were they of the worst
classes, but such men as would naturally be
selected for such work.
On cross-examination, the witness stated
that when he saw in the papers an account
of the memorial and affidavits which were
presented to Congress, he Immediately Or
dered all the signers to be subp@naed, and
also several who stated that they would
have signed the memorial if they had the
opportunity When examined he questioned
each one with reference to each charge
| in the memorial, and to each of these ques-
tions ALL or nearly all of the witnesses an
swered that they knew nothing, but had
been influenced to sign the memorial upon
representation; some of the signers were
under the impression that they were mere
ly signing petition for the repeal of the
Supervisor Law, and others stated
that their affidavits were distorted
after they were signed; +. p. Bradstreet
stated that he made no charges against any
one, and disclaimed all knowledge of af-
fairs; w. B. Cassidy signed it upon repre-
sentation that it was petition merely
John A. Shank did the same; Mr.. Pugh
signed the memorial upon the faith
and credit of the affidavits;
Jerry Malony and Campbell thought
it was petition. John G. Fratz signed
it upon representation. Mr. Dannenhouer
had no charges, and so with Mr.. Mulaney.
Alex. Long had heard rumors, but knew
nothing definite. Mr.. Benning stated the
same. ]. Kramer signed it upon the strength
of the affidavit Louis Bernard disclaimed
all knowledge of the charges. W. w. Sut-
ton signed the memorial upon the repre-
sentation of Nelson Sayler Thomas J.
| Sway signed it upon the representation of
Mr.. Shay. Mr.. John Scott said he never
saw or signed an affidavit. Martin
German did not know that the affidavit
was that which he signed, as Thomas Shay
read it to him so fast G. H. Jones never
signed the affidavit to which his name was
attached Nanzant said that Mr.. Bates did
not compel his men to vote for Governor
| Young J. Goodwin said he was not
paid for voting the Republican ticket. OF
| the memorialists there was not one who
made any statement confirming any of the
charges of the memorial, nor were there
any Of those who telegraphed to Washing
ton to have their names signed to the me-
mortal who would affirm what was charged.
| James Kealey testified that he was a resi-
dent of the Sixteenth Ward and saw Mr..
VIM. Worst, one of the Supervisors, handling
| tickets as they were handed in, and one of
these | saw him open. 1t belonged to a
man whose vote was challenged, but it was
afterward put in the box. Several parties
objected to the vote being opened, and con-
| siderab excitement was raised SO that the
police were obliged to interfere.
Peter Ryan. resident of the same ward
| testified that when the vote was iiallenged
as above stated, the Republican Judge
| placed it in the box before il was decided to
be legal. Mr.. Rogers Of the same ward,
gave similar testimony.
Policeman O'Niel testified that he was on
duty at Precinct B, Twentieth Ward, and in
the evening when thevotes were being count
ed objections were made to the Supervisor,
Mr.. Ferry, handling the votes. The wit
ness was appealed to and showed his in
structions, after which Mr. Ferry was di-
| rected by Lieut.. Brady to sit where he
could see the tickets but could not handle
them. Mr.. Ferry retired when the tickets
were about half counted.