Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-07-31
ELECTION FRAUDS.
The Investigation at Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI, July 30.-At the Con-
gressional Investigation Committee Oaz-
zam Gano testified that he was presi-
dent of the Hamilton county Executive
Committee in the last congressional
campaign; money appropriated for the
campaign was supposed to pass through
Treasurer Sands; did not know who the
marshals were before their appointment;
Mr.. Foaker requested our committee to
suggest good names for supervisors; L
heard Mr.. Francis was to have some
men from Kentucky to prevent repeat
ing by men from that State; l don't
know them and don't know who he Sc
lected; don't know that Congressman
were furnished money by the campaign
committee.
Mr.. Conger here doubted the proprie-
ty OF inquiring into the source OF the
campaign funds, unless 1t was to show
that they had been improperly used.
After some discussion the Chair de,
cided the question, Did Butterworth and
Young receive money from the cam
paign committee? admissible. =.
The witness continued: l furnished
the campaign committee $4,000 to be
distributed among ninety-three pre-
cincts. Six or eight thousand dollars
was equally distributed in similar CAM
paigns. The $500 covered the expens-
es of stands, speakers, etc. A great
deal was spent in advertising and bill
posters; will furnish the amount given
the latter.
Mr.. Drew was recalled, but could not
give the last Kentucky vote; might be
able to get it from the campaign COM
mittee.
Mr.. Pugh-What about men being re-
fused work on the custom house be-
cause they were Democrats?
Mr.. Drew told the superintendent
that il recommended men for that
work, they would be Republicans, or
men who would work for that ticket;
don't think | ever recommended Demo-
Gratis on the condition that they would
vote the Republican ticket. =. :,
James Degan, Democrat, testified
that he electioneered for Butterworth
and had previously met Butterworth
at the Gibson House. ButterwOrth told
me he was expecting money from
Washington. He brought men to see
ButterwOrth TO arrange to have them
work for him. We were to get - down
and 81 when the work was completed.
Butterworth said he did not care who
else we worked for so we worked for
him and Squire Mccullough. Butter
worth gave him $50 in all and he
saw him give money to several men.
Mr.. Butterworth had satchel in
carriage; the money was taken out OF
that; saw five men vote in the Fifth
ward, three of them afterwards voted in
other precincts of the same ward; they
told me they had Republican tickets;
spent the $50 spreeing among the boys;
some ten days ago | met Butterworth
and talked about this investigation; he
asked me to come and see him at his
office; / went but he was out; VIM. Nc
Callister showed me letter he said was
from Butterworth, in which he did not
think / would make an affidavit that |
had sold myself like hog TO
Mr.. Butterworth; did not attempt
to bribe or corrupt anybody;
didn't promise to try to preAent repeat
ing against him; was afraid of deputy
marshals; was told that If | made an al
fidavit it would help Gus Clark and
Buck Rrady out of trouble. Thorn Shay
drew up the affidavit; l was given two
dollars for making it; didn't buy votes
for Mr.. Butterworth. Butterworth
asked me how many men worked in the
shop and how much they would cost;
don't know he meant anything about
buying votes. / took an interest in
Butterworth's candidacylOn account OF
the money he paid me; would have
worked for the other side for the same
amount.
In the cross examination by Wright
it was developed that two or three of
Degan's statements before the corr mittee
were in conflict with his affidavit. Wit
ness acknowledged having made numer-
Gus false statements to parties asking
him about the affidavit, unfinished that
the statements here given were the truth.
On the dismissal Of the witness the
Committee adjourned.