Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-03
Election Frauds Investigation.
THE INTERESTING DISCLOSURES MADE ny
Ex SECRETARY GORuAN BEFORE THE
WALLACE COMMITTEE.

WALLACE COMMITTEE.
Prom dispatch to the Tho Record.
WAsmISGToS, March 26.-Mr. Gorham
who was Secretary of the National Con.
gressional Campaign committee. was on
the witness stand before the Wallace
committee for over an hour TO. day, and
let out some interesting facts concern.
ing the Management of the last cam.
pafgn. For some time he was subject.
ed to close and sharp examination by
Senator Mcdonald, in which he admit.
ted that tho famous circular sent TO all
the officers holders in the land, inviting
contributions for the conduct of the
camp. ign, was submitted TO the Presi.
dent 10y n member of the Congregational
committee and was approved by him.
The history OF the circular, according
TO Mr. GOrham. is as follows: Gorham
wrote IL himself, and, being fearful that,
in view Of the civil service order, many
oiliceholders would refuse TO respond.
he added final clause to the effect
that the system of voluntary cOntrilu
tions solicited met the approval of the
Executive. The circular was then sub.
mltted TO the President, who modified
1t with the words that such voluntary
contributions met the approval Of the
executive officers of the Govern ment. /"
II was developed that the Congressional
committee raised $lOG 600 through as.
sessmcnts; that members Of the Cabi.
net, foreign Ministers, Senators and
Representatives contributcd-S Senators
500 each and Representatives $50 each
The largest sum sent to any one State
A A.
said, into the close districts. Senator
Mcdonald thought he discriminated
against Indiana. but Mr. Gorham retort-
cd tacetiously that the Ohio people had
better way Of pulling him than the
others.
WAsmISGToS, March FIX Sccre.
tary Of the Senate Gorham produced
books Of subscriptions in the depart
ments, and the list OF money sent by
the different States 10 the national com.
mittcc. He aided nineteen Southern
Congressional districts with an average
of SGG3, and fifty eight Northern dis.
tricts, with an average Of $7l2. No aid
was given to two hundred and twelve
districts. The contributions Of Federal
officers in Wisconsin went 10 the State
committee. Subscriptions in book and
in the Treasury Department, are headed
by the name Secretary Sherman: the
Postoiiice Department by the Second
Assistant Postmaster General; the Az.
ricultural Department by Commissioner
Le Due; the Sixth Auditors Office by
the Sixth Auditor. Money sent to In.
diana was put in the hands of Blair.
with witness recommendation ~ 10 ita
use. In regard TO the general policy
10 devote money TO close districts
About nine districts in Ohio were thus
helped. The librarian Of the senate
helped Gorham TO compile a sort of
Republican campaign text book aud
was paid $50. The work did not in.
terieIe with his official duties. No de.
duciion was made IN his salary as libra.
rian on account Of his working for the
committee. Witness thought the sub.
scriptions Of the Treasury Department
might amount 10 $1,000 or $4,000. in.
stead OF s. 900 or 5000 a. stated YES.
terday. About 5000 were subscribed
in the Postoflicc Department.
James M. Kerns, United States Mar
shall for the Eastern District Of Penn.
sylvania, testified he thought as far AZ
United States Supervisors aud Marshais
are concerned Philadelphia can do with.
out them very we'll. The expenses Of
the United States Supervisors amount
to ST 40. Special attention was paid
Randsll's district because IL WAS IN a
bad part of the city where riots fre.
quently occurred.