Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-07

the representative from Bossere par
ish, as to whom Murray testified yes
terday that he was i'll of small l-po1
and was represented by anyther col
ored man in the ballot for sena
tor, witness swore positively thai
he slept with Thomas the night
before the joint convention that
Thomas was present at the time OF
voting that he sat close by the wit
ness and did vote on that occasion
Thomas died about three months af-
terward; he (witness) had gone over
to the Nichols legislature; the men,
bers who had done so had received
from $500 to $25OO; he (witness) had
got $500 for himself and his colleague
Drew; this money was paid as
consideration for voting for
Spoford, not for going over to
the legislature; this money had been
paid by Senator Robertson, of St.
Landry parish, Democratic Senator
Dumas, of st. Johns, managed the
financial part, and had from $4,000 to
$40, 600 to divide among the men who
voted for SpOford. 1t was regarded
as material that Spoford should re-
ceive all the Republican votes, so that
he might get his seat in the Republi-
can senate.
Q.-What was the argument used
against me?
A.-That you could not be seated
and chat we might as well send con-
servative like Spofford, the Demo-
cratic carpet-bagger.
Q.-State the names of those whom
to your knowledge received money for
voting for Spofford.
A.-Myseif, F. J. Davies, of St.
Landry; Davies, of Point L'Coupe
Romero, of iberia; Barron, of Natchi-
toches; Drew, of Rapides, and R. j.
Walker, of Tensas. There were twelve
who refused to vote for SpOfford.
Q.-Explain how you know this.
A.-Because before the election of
senator l was in Cassedy's Hotel with
others, in negotiation with R. j. Ken
nedy, and were to receive 500 day,
and our per diem and mileage in cash
and the patronage Of our parishes, to
go to the Nichols legislature and
make a returning board quorum.
By Senator Houston: Q.-Do you
say you got money for going to the
Nichols legislature?
Al got money for voting fol
Spoford.
Q. Did you get anything for going
over to the Nichols legislature?
A.-No, sir; when l went over the
money had given out.
Q.-Then they did not give you any
thing except for voting for SpOfford?
A.-No, sir; they desired return
ing board quorum and it was inmate.
rial whether | went over or not.
Q.-After you voted for Spofford
did you ever return to the Packard
legislature2
A.-No sir, because the Packard
legislature had gone before | went over
to Nichols. The Packard govern
ment ceased on the 18th of April, and
| went over to the Nichols legislature
on the 18th.
By Senator Kellogg: Q.-Was any
money paid at that time to members
going over?
A.-NO, sir; not for going over.
Demas told me that the money had
been placed in his hands, and that af-
ter he had bought all the Packard
members he could buy the money gave
out.
Q.-Was it specifically understood
that the $500 which was paid to you
was paid for your vote for Spofford?
Alt was specifically understood
that the understanding was with SEN
ator Robertson, of St. Bernardin, at
the Office of Charles P. Howard,
president of the Louisiana Lottery
Company, who advanced $4,000 to
the Nicholl's governments. There
was before that legislature bill to
repeal the charter of that company,
and the bill failed in the house.
The attention Of witRess was called
to the affidavit presented by Merrick;
he was quite positive it was not in his
handwriting and specified his name
in that the signature was misspelled
as DeLacey instead of DeLacy.
cANTA EE