The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-07
KELLOGG's PURCHASED SEAT
Testimony as to Corrupt Methods Employed
In the Louisiana Legislature.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-An able forensic
debate between Messrs. ShellabarRer and Mer-
rick over the question OF the admissbility Of
Johnson's affidavit opened the battle in the
Kellogg -Spoffosd contest Merrick's speech
was effective and spirited. The decision OF the
question was reserved by the Commit
tee whereupon the name OF Thomas
Murray was called. Murray. coal
black African stepped boldly to the front He
was Sergeant alarms to the Kellogg Legisla-
ture. He Is not an educated man. but is unu-
sually intelligent self possessed and was evi-
IDENTITY aiming to tell the exact truth. This made
him very cautious in his replies 10 Mr.. Mer-
ricks questions, but he said enough e. make
no doubt in the minds Of hvstanders as TO the
corrupt agencies employed to secure kellogR's
the efforts OF Keoggs agents to manipu ate
his testimony, and accordingly an effort was
made to close his mouth early to-day by raising
technical objections. These were overrued.
II appeared that he had carried members OF the
Legislature from Gov. Kellogg to Souer who
had paid them money. Some OF them said they
wont there TO get money for voting for kel-
logg. and several OF them had showed him the
high as $500 was paid. The oflce Of the wit.
ness was the headquarters OF the members. and
the current talk was that they all got money for
voting for Kellogg He gave The names OF
those members VINO got money. The testimony
also brought out the numerous appoint
ments OF these members OF the Legis-
lature to places In the Custom House
As they were nearly all appointed since
this proceeding was begun. the Inference is
mouths. IL was also apparent from the wit
nesse's testimony that II great effort has been
made TO bring the party screws TO bear on the
colored Witnesses and to make them regard
testimony against Kellogg as betrayal Of the
With a strange lack OF acumen. Mr.. Kellogg
cross-examined the witness himself instead Of
leaving IL TO his able counsel Mr.. Shella-
barger. Probably he relied over much on
his ascendancy over the Louisiana colored man
In getting favorable testimony. His eXamina-
ton OF Murray only served TO intensity and
develop his statements rs TO the payment Of
money TO members. ana 10 bring out other
facts sustaining the allegation o; hired
ing a Senator. The damaging statement also
came from Murray that. whereas the journal
Of the Kellogg Legislature showed eighty
three members present. there were really
five less than a quorum. There will be other
witnesses Tomorrow. but. as they have been
doubtful IL they will tell the truth. The ex-
ample OF Johnson. who is To- be tried for per
jury. may have its effect. Keogg's hackers
danger before the courts OF this District
The following are extracts from Murray's
testimony:
LEGISLATURE; and whom YOU took TO soner,s room, tell
who came before the siecton were hari.un and when
they came they generally went to The Governor ior a
my once 10 soue - office
Y After the election you took men to souer's office
soSs 9S's 10 sSqs5' Seo aa
there ,2T ArSs s. ss for Gov ysogg
Q-Did they show the money they got' A.-some did.
Q-How much did they show your A.-As high as
Q-How many showed you the money! A-Two or
Q-How many others told you that they got money
from Sguer Tor Kellogg but did not show ~ A-The
good many Of t6sm, Ijid no, count ,6sin, -
s.gh M s some ,IIsy , ,d hey I lone e wen mem, nIos i've
keiosg but they we're eolored men, and do not rely on
9-They showed you the money! A,77Yes.,
Q-pd you see any other way in which they could get
hat @ Ia"s' aHs '''' "'' '''''' '''''' s'' A'''
The men who showed him the money were
Sawny Shines OF ST. james, and McGloire Of
AvOyelles Parish. Joseph J. johnson Of Desoto
Parish who WAS examined Yesterday. did not
tell him. but Robert Johnson Of Terrebonne did.
These were all that he recolleGted. Tho talk
among them was that the price was 5000.
Mr.. Merrck- How many members Of the Leg
isature that. elected Mr. Kellogg to the Senate
are now employed in tho New Orleans Custom
Housef A.-About twenty, suppose; | would
like 10 be there myself.
Mr. Merrick-How many OF them were in the
Custom House on the 4th of March lastY A
Three or four. The rest have been put in re-
Gently. since Badger WAS made Collector; can
| not tell how many OF them were put IN within
Mr., Kellogg was it that you saw these
members who told you that they had got
money! A.-Itwa before the election Of Sena-
| tor that these men went to Souer. stated 10
| the other side that members had $500 after KEEL
| logg was elected and they told me they had got
! it for voting for Kellogg.
To Mr.. Keogg-I did not bring you into
| that hut you bring me right into it. Laughter
Mr. Kellogg do not want to draw myself on.
| Witness-keep on M you arc going. and you
| have not far to go now.
Mr.. Kcogg-When was It that you had this
| conyersontion with these men2
Winess-l do not knO; 1t was some time dur
| ing the four months after your election.
| Mr. kellOgg-Do you know what Sauer paid
\ these men money fOr2
Witness-Thcre you are, at II again Laugh
teri They said that be paid them for voting for
| Kellogg tLaughter.l
Mr.. KelloRg-What want TO get at is
Witness (interruptingl-You get at too much.
| lLaughter.l saw two other members who re-
ceived $3.50. That was after tho warrants had
been Issued. heard all OF them say they got
money
Mr.. Keogg-What for2 A.-For voting for
you. 1t was common talk around there. can
not name any who showed me the money. ex-
cept tho three have named.