Daily globe., 1879-02-20
Chas. W. johnson, Stvorn.

Witness was secretary of the Republican
Congressional committee at Minneapolis dur
Ing the late compaig gn. The committee con-
sisted of Messrs. G. II. Pettit chairman c.
ii. Graves, W. ". GrisYold, H. A. Castle and
A. j. Underwood. Witness recollected the is
suance of a circular by the committee, calling
upon the office holders and prominent members
OF the Republican party in the Third Congress
slenal district, for contribute of funds by
them for the purpose of conducting the cam
palgn. The circular issued under the au-
thority of the committee, Of which he (.itness)
was secretary. The committee had issued cir
culars to about fifty persons.
Tie circular nearly the same as the one
which had been published in the ST. Paul DAILY
GLOBE in Oct. 4th, 1878. Witness was of the
impression that slight interpretations had been
made to the ori ginal circular.
discussion followed as to the purport and
originality Of the circular, it being decided. bv
general consent, TO send a messenger for a COPY
OF the GLOBE containing the circular.
Witness could not remember the precise date
on which the circular had been issued.
Questlon-To what persons We're copies of
the circular sent?
Answer don't intend to state, save that it
was sent to prominent Republicans in this
district
Witness had prepared the circular, in con-
sultation with the chairman of the committee,
The general outline of the circular had been
eel to state who the person was, but would say
that no suggestions had been made by Gen.
Washburn.
Replies had been received from some promi-
nent Republicans, not from all who were ad-
dressed, but could not remember the amount
subscribed. Witness member of the
printing hrm of johnson, Smith & Harrison, of
Minneapolis.
The blanks for the election returns, to be
used by the judges and clerks of the election,
3l.o|o, had been printed by the contractor Mr.
F. L. Smith, member of the firm mentioned
They were printed in the establishment of the
firm named, under the direction of J. s, Irgens
commissioner OF public printing, for the State
OF Minnesota, according to copy furnished by
him for the election in all the Congressional
districts in this State.
The blanks for the voting districts, or Judges
of election, omitted the place or heading for
the return of votes cast for members of Con-
gress. The abstract of votes returned by
county auditors contained the names in the
usual place. As secretary Of the committee,
witness had not corrected the omissions, as
they were not discovered until after the cleo
ton.
THE CIRCULAR PROVEN.
At this point the messenger returned. and
witness was shown copy of the GLOBE, dated
Oct. 4, containing copy of the circular re-
terred to, appearing under the head of ''Wash-
M1NNEAPoL1s, Sept. 10.
Sir: The Congressional committee, charged
with laboring for the success OF the Republican
cause in this district, call with confidence (so)
upon you, as a Republican, for such contr-
button IN money as you may feel willing to
make, hoping that it will not be less than 1876.
The committee deem it proper in thus speak
ing to Republicans, to remind them of the i'm
portance of the impending campaign. That the
United States Senate is to be Democratic after
the 4th of March, 1879, is very nearly certain.
In view of this, the election of a Democratic
House of Representatives would precipitate
upon the country dangerous agitations, which
would, inevitably, add to the present distresses
and burdens. Among these schemes is the in
tentlon to attempt the revolutionary expulsion
of the President from his office, the payment of
the rebel claims and war debt, the payment of
the full value of all emancipated slaves, and
the unlimited issue of irredeemable paper cur
rency, in place of the present redeemabl paper
money, which was issued by authority of a Re-
publican Congress, and by the same party has
been sustained, thereby preserving the national
honor and credit.
Please remit at once, etc.
By ORDER COMMITTEE.
Witness recognized the circular as genuine,
with the exception of the word $50" in paren-
thesis, and the phrase ''by order of the commit
tee at the end of the circular. Witness de-
chned to state whether or not copies Of the cir
cular had been sent to federal office holders
Witness was acquainted was Loren Fletcher. of
minneapolis. Knew him to be a prominent
Republican, and respected member of the legis-
la5ure from Minneapolis, and he had taken an
active part in the fall campaign in behalf of
Mr.. Washburn.
On cross-examination witness said he did not
know of any corrupt use of money during the
mpaign in behalf of Washbu1n.
Clear Case OF Bribery against Washbar,a
The following is an abstract of the testimony
taken Feb. 18th, 1878, at 10 A. NJ, before o. W.
Francis, notary public at Fargo, Dakota terri
tory:
CHARLES CLOUTIER
sworn, says he resided during last fall at Min
neapolis; was in the agricultural machine busi-
ness. About the second Friday or Saturday
before the election, last November, he was in
his office in Minneapolis when he was called on
by John Baxter, who asked him how politics
was with him. Witness told Baxter he was, as
usual. Democrat. He asked me who was
going to support for Congress. told him that
1 would support Donnelly; that the Demo-
cratic party had endorsed him, and T should
support him. He then asked me whether ar
rangements could be made so that would 20