The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-13
BALLOTS BOUGHT AND SOLD.
BBTBERY AND Perjury DISCLOSED IN
TuE KELLOGG-SPOFFORD CASE

WASHINGTON. June l2-The Committee on
Privileges and Elections resumed the investi
ea.i,n of the kellogg Spofrord case. Mr.. Mer-
rick said lac had no further use for De Lacy M
nwiinrss As this witness had been arrested
far perjury. he tMr. Merrckl had asked the
District Attorney the privilege Of assisting in
the prosecution. should he he indicted.
Mr. Hoar. mentioning the criminal charge.
eail It was nm extraordinary proceeding.
The Chairman-The Committee has nothing
10 do with this matter.
Mr. Hour-I think II has. lie added that tho
universal rule was that while any cause was
pending. criminal process was never used as n
means q coercion o. witness; and that. when
such witness was arrested. to decline further
prosecution until the cause out Of which the Of
fence arose was concluded.
Richard J. Brooks tcolorcdl n member OF the
House Of Representatives in the Packard Legs-
huro called by Judge Sheaharger, testified
to being present on the 10th Of January Mt the
Joint convention Of tho two Houses when Mr.
Kellogg was elected. He knew Samuel Thomas
and heard him answer when his name was
called. Murray had tried to induce him to 90
and sen Cavanac and make nm affidavit that no
Witness WINS bribed by Kellogg He did not go.
Cross-cxamincd-He subsequently told Cava-
nae that Kellogg had not offered him
about it. and that Kellogg would undoubtedly
be removed. Cavanac also said they could get
white men, but preferred colored men in the
business.
To Mr.. Kellogg-Ross Stewart asked witness
10 20 from the Packard Legislature to the
Nichols Legislature. saying he had made mr.
Tangements that IL eight or ten members would
~ over they could have $4,000 apiece for the
Charles f. Brown tcolorcd testified that he
was IA member Of the Packard legislature md
was at the joint convention in 1877. when KEEL
logr was elected. Samuel Thomas and Jules
Seveignrs v r. there ana they voted. Murray
told him that u he would make up nm affidavit
on the Spoflorl side he should receive $3.50 and
would rraliz" about 81 900. Murray sand Judge
Sponord WIS rich ant the 81 900 woull come
from the division " Spoffords back pay. He
was offered brhn to 40 10 the NICHOLS legis,
January. while the Senatorial election was
pending. +. j. Kennedy proposed to witness
the Nichols Legislature he would guarantee
them 900 day Tor ten days or until United
States senator was elected. Mr.. Kennedy said
b" represented the Nichols Government. and
Pulled out large roll OF tank notes, saying :
This - the nash for You novs 4 you want TO
60" There were 500 and $500 hills in the pile.
H. put IN" money la'S into his pocket. After
some hundred Odd days he went TO the Nichols
Legislature. having been bnrtered away
By Mr. Mcrriek-who baricred you awayi A-The
o"rhr Wacveish Commission and tho President Of the
Uniei Staigs' G-rrobab.y u rnighi have been
SCDs C.'snae 'c.i YOU ne wanted only ihe truth
cam say whether he sal 50 or not
Richard Sins tcoloredl was examined He
was member OF the Packard Legislature in
january. 1877. He knew Tint Thomas and
Seyelgnrs both voted for kellogg. ami he never
tod Murray that he obtained money for voting
for Kellogg. The witness q Warmo;h man.
but NJ the request Of Marmoth he and others
went over 10 Kellogg. He did not know Of any
money hein. pnid ny anybody 10 vote for ke-
loEg. Murray had heretofore declared thnt the
witness shovel him money, but Murray ga not
now rrm"mh"r whether the witness showed
him tho money said 10 have been received ms n
brihe Tor voting for kellogg.
j; H. watson ir'loscdl ui New Orleans test-
nnd that he mad bon letter carrier in that city.
ie knew Tom Murray. but never told m that
hs occupied Thomus's seat ~ ~" L"gis aturs
on election day and voted for kriiorg lie did
not occupy the seat of Thomas or Of any other
member on election day. The witness gave an
nccount Of his arrangement with Murray and
CavauaH to swear 10 an AFFIDAVIT ttat he had
represented Thomas in the Legislatures and
voted l,or Kellogg. After making out the stat,.
ment, Murray snid 10 the witness, Strike Flood
parties. Ho was tod to Strike whic - The ron
Vas hot The witness Obtained s. from
T9od on "co,9unt WIN IhG matter could be
g. ,..5. d $$ccgF i3r 6i%. MarFay saii$d
although he had not promised Murray to d-
vide small sums with him. II he had re-
Murray also obtained one dollar from Flood.
He and Murray went into coG-chouse. The
T Taos ' when An1rsyp @g W. rr w HE
ntggers. After drinking. Murray took out his
x
him two bits, Murray said 10 him that the
friends Of Nichols wanted TO prove bribery
dead men could tell no tales. and If he lihe
witnessl would p-r-Onate Thomas and vote for
Kellogg. the profit would figure up al 500.
Murray told him TINT i spohord did not pay
these negroes they would 20 back on him. and
added; We and other colur"d men who
made out af1days DO not intend 10 swear to
them until we are paid. Spon ri Is worth two
million dolnrs, and want-d the Senatorship
only 10 crafty his ambition" The witness
said he signed one or two statements and took
a quasi oath.
Nj Nerriek-Ii was fat Straightforward lie. A.
No there was some truth IN = -o,
Ieruad,d 10 do H. and did not hnk the act involved
Q-Y" swore To a liet A-Itwas truth judciou,ly
o-There are times then, when you swear to a
lie l. uai the wav you understand Conscientious scru.
Q-Iu Gois nAlne. oi what ehuryh. A-of all the col.
CD. You believe in he'll, Aldo mi have modified
e g sS 10 ia. III ht sc eo S HI. 1's
know Nlmt the light hand docs.
gone into swearing A-Baid1lers have chased all that
away ihaye certain reserved rights on general prn'
myso rs'eTys n, Ts9t lie and suppress the truth
rS ,s 1'ye ggsoe o yoqr rgryed rg9l Al
97li'loi ycar alayia he, You .weqr YOU person;
you uut words into my mouth
He then said that when tho affidavit wns pre-
pW"d the initial > % Of the Christian name
was omitted.
al " gf i g"s9s GUY , 9ee I"is' ao5s,Her, M
statement To- those who pre- AIRED the afidayit
Ard ca.' , voie for Ielioss' Is that tue Ycu Know
90 ana you wore to ia. liei Al thoushtt right
N.' 4" ncrohp.,h my ow,ct ,,.,-.,..
swear toa e nur money as the Democrats bad To burn
lcuai offence 1, ,We0r tu o. ic.
tn" ueNt witness was mn gnorant black man.
named Robert Il. johnson. who WIS n member
oi the Pa kard Legislature. He sald:
nchef got money ur voting fur Kellogg. n dat