The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-11-28
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POLITICAL TESTIMONY


ab'y Iases. sting AceSuats.'A Coed
LIsr, DOubtiess,
New ORLEANs, November Is,-Bsfore
the senats's subcommittee to-day, Der
nsrd Williams, an Israelite, native Of
Poland, testified that he was employe ed
by Jim Lewis, naval officer at New Or.
leans, 10 10 to Washington In the interest
Of Kellogg. When be reached Wash
ington he reported 10 Kellogg, who sent
him with Others 10 watch the depot for
the arrival OF spoford witnesses. KEEL
logg received q dispatch from Lewis,
saying "witnesses all right" When
De Lacy, Blackstone, johnson, and two
others whose names witness could not ne.
call arrived In Washington, witness, q, l2
CLOCK at night, took them 70 Gov, KEEL.
logg's room. kellogg said he wanted
them to 10 back on their afiidEVits aud
give testimony for him instead Of Spot.
ford. They stated that the aiidavits
made in New Orleans were true and
feared they would be punished II they
testified differently In Washington. Kel.
logg took up 4 law book and read, show
ing them that they could not be harmed
IL they vent back on the affidsvits.
After much drinking and smoking,
witnesses agreed TO testify as Kellogg
desiied. Present in the room at the
time were Gov. Kellogg, the five wit.
nesses before mentioned, Conquest
Clarke and two Others Before
the bargain was made Governor
Kellogg told the negroes II he
was turned out Of the senate, none Of
them, no Republican, could live In
Louisiana; that they would all be sssas.
siuated. II they went back on the
sfidavits they would be protected IN
every way, get 5000 each and places in
the custom house at 500 per month. Big
promises were also made to witness, but
not fulfilled. Before We left Kellogg =
room that night in Washington he took
large envelope from his pocket and
counted out to each of the SPofford
witnesses $500 as consideration for
>.:imony to be given before the Kellogg
Spofford committee, then in session.
1t was nearly daylight before thi.
meeting broke up. Witness produced
memorandum made by Kellogg,
directing him to the rom of
the senate committee on privileges
and elections. Charles Cavagnac came
to Wa ,hington with the Spoford wit
nesses. In conclusion of his direct testi.
mony, witness said he had been hiding
out all day to prevent them from bring
ing him before the committee. When
asked by Senator Hill his reason he said
ne had been informed If he came before
the committee and testified against
kellogg he would not get his pension
that he was an ex,federsl soldier, had
been wounded, and as there was several
years pension he wanted the money.
Cross examined by Senator Cameron
Am q peddler by occupation; during the
war was in Gen. Banks command; later
was q private detective here for Gen
Butler. To the question show otter
have you been in prison" witness be
came furious; he didn't want to be
insulted. The fact was finally elicitsc
that he had been arrested several time
for misdemeanors. He told severa
persons this story before. Hid myself
to-day because Morris Marks told me /
came before the committee ] woulC
not get my pension. There is nov
about fourteen years due me. Went Il
the state house about ten days ago
Made affidavit substantially as ! hsv
testified tonight. Some time ago
asked for o place in the custom
house. If I had got it l would no
have testified. Wrote Gov. Kellogg tina
they wouldn't give me place. As
got no answer went and told Cavagna
every thing. Saw Gov. Kellogg yestel
day and again last night. Promised no
to come before the committee, but whe
l went home at 8 o'clock, after hiding q
, day, the sergeant arms was waitin
. there and brought me here.
1t being half-past five, the committe
/ decided to adjourn till morning. BetoI
, doing 80, Gov. Kellogg, by permission
made statement, saying:
. "The statement of this witness,
course, affects me personally, and l thin
as a brother senator. Mr.. Chairman, 20
will allow me to say at this time that
shall ask the committee to give me q
early opportunity TO call before 20
: whatever witnesses may be accessible
now to disprove the testimony of tn
witness. This matter is not covered b
your resolution, and l may be unable
meet the case as fully as I desire, but
, not, ! shall, as it is personal matte
3. AK the senate at the earliest opportunit
: after it convenes, to institute an invest
!; CATION which may be both thorough an
complete, to the end that the truth ma
> be known"
In reply the chairman stated thu
t every opportunity would be given fC
3 testimony in rebuttal.