The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-11-26
ELECTION INVESTIGATION.


vestigation-E Evidence Of tho Payment Of
Money by Kellogg to Secure His Election
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. AIN the Kellogg
Spofford examination Manager Allyn, of the
Western Union Telegraph company, this city,
stated he had been instructed to comply with
the demands of the committee and furnish the
telegrams specifically called for within the. Pc
RODS specified. Dispatches, twenty-one in all,
were handed to the chairman, who ordered q
receipt given for them. The messages we're in
cipher, except one from Morris Marks, asking
about the adjournment of Congress-. Senator
Hill asked witness if he knew what the dis
patches contained. G.= "l ID sa+5..5 '.,
- Witness-l don't. g..,. ,s.-.. ... ..
Senator Caneroa-Betrer send for Tilden.
w. 81. Seymour. notary public, testified re-
gsrding the affidavit made by Jeremiah Black
ston, member of Packard's legislature and
others, showing that they had been paid money
to vote for Kellogg. Seymour testified that
the paper produced wasn't Blackston's original
affidavit, but it was the sum and substance of
it. The paper recited that Blackston at various
times received money from Kellogg and Louis
Souer, amounting in all to 81, 200, which he
used as directed by Kellogg to secure Kellogg
election United States Senator. Witness
repeated part of conversation in his Office
between members of q commit,
GS0 O1 N1CuOA4 4c&1b40tuIo aUU
others with Blackston about bribery.
Blackston said he could get afidavits of par
ties to whom he paid money received from
Kellogg corroborating his statement. These
affidavits were also produced and filed with the
committee. In conversation, Blackston said
money had been paid to bride him as q
prominent Republican in the ward. and as a
accompanied the members of the Nichols legis-
lature to my Office to see Blackston. Promised
to reimburse him for outlay in getting up aff-
davits. Blackston afterwards told me he re-
ceived money from them, but with a distinct
understanding that the money paid by Demo-
Gratis was not for bribery or ANYTHING of that
sort, but was to pay expenses he incurred in
going after testimony. Witness stated that the
committee of the Nichols legislature appoint
ed to investigate the Kellogg. Spofford case new
er made any report. ..'.J' 49,
j. F. Banegiron, assistant sergeant at arms
of the Packard legislature testified: It seemed
to be general understanding that every mem
when Kellogg was elected United States Sena-
tor. Saw Kellogg speak to Senator Twitchell
one day in the telegraph Office, telling him he
wanted his vote; would give BIN one of the
best positions in the government. At the same
time Kellogg handed Twitchell $500. Twitch-
ell rema1ked that it was all right. Witness
had been in the custom house. but was dis
charged last July. -.,.-,.-.-. ....,.-'.
J. 8. ANTI testified: Formerly held place
in the custom house but was displaced q few
months ago by Kerns, formerly member of
the Packard legislature. Witness was enrolling
clerk of the Packard legislature. > 1t was a
matter of common notoriety that members
were paid for voting for Kellogg.
B. Dreyfus testified that two very poor mem
bers of the Packard legislature was flush the
day after Kellosg's election, one Of them re-
marking that the election would account for
their great wealth. They had $500 in cash.
F. ]. Stokes, judge of Grant parish in 1876,
testified regarding the failure to have an cleo
ton in the parish. The Republicans knew it
was Democratic, consequently no election was
ordered. Witness stated that tho Republicans
desired to get rid of him as parish judge and
had him abducted, getting requisition from
Texas for him on the false charge that he was
an absconding tax collector. Gov. Wells wrote
letter to the officials Of Cass county, Texas,
Informing them that the defaulting tax col
lector of that county was in Louisiana. When
he had been arrested and taken out of the
State on this false charge another judge was
appointed. Witness recently applied for q
position in the custom house, but wasn't ap-
pointed. si--. T. .ar5s ..". Il "e.I !.
The commission adjourned till tomorrow,
when Witnesses for Kellogg, in rebuttal, will
be called.