Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-26
The Election Frauds Investigation

The Senate committee to inquire into alleged
frauds in the late elections, OF which Senator
Wallace is chairman, met at 10 o'clock today,
all the members being present, and
Examined EX- SECRETARY OF THE SENATE COR
HAM,
who was secretary OF the national republican
campaign committee. who testified that he pro-
posed circular calling upon Office. holders for
Voluntary contributions 1t was submitted tc,
tie President by one OF the committee, a, 4 II
vas changed In one material point. AS r,,,,eSS
iSinally proposed 1t he Incorporated 10 it that
voluntary contributions would be approved Oy
tl Executive. This was modified by the p eS-
1dent to read that no objection to voluntary con-
tl1out1ons would be met in any official Quarter.
me circulars We're sent to all federal office
e an over the land and there was collect
Dy tbe wealthy republicans OF New York city at
lne M solicitation Of Mr. Hale; 50 900 came from
utt 800 each and were expected to. Abnut
S6,ooO was paid by members OF the House. who
were expected to pay $50 each No cOntribu
tfOnS were directly received from any nationa,
bank.
THE EMPLOYEES OF THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS
were assessed one per cent, but the committee
directed that the females should not contribute.
ie, ane II any Mere asked to, by circular, 1t was
mistake: witness said he left word with Cash
1er Austin, of the Second National Bank, that If
any ladies came to pay contributions not to
committee for the mistake of asking them to-
Henry M: Baker was the collector in the depart.
mentS. He collected between seven and ejoht
thousand d dollars In the Treasury and received
person had been discharged who did not con-
tribute, solely on that account, within his
knowledge. There was cousin of the COM
mancer OF the rebel vessel Shenandoah who
was dismissed from the Sixth Auditors Office
because he wrote an 1mpertinent letter, saying
that he was not going to furnish stick to beat
Witness did not know why Waddell was dis
missed, but believes his letter may have had
something to do with it. Witness denied that
any OF the flteen employees In his Office as sec
employees OF any department OF the government.
HOW THE MONEY WAS SPENT.
The money raised by contribution was dis
posed OF about as follows:-s25, 900 for docu-
ployes; $4,000 for stationery $4,000 in actual
cash was sent to state committees and special
congressional districts; S1.5OO was spent for the
a balance of 1000 left when the Campaign
closed, $500 Of which was with the German
National Bank when 1t collapsed, and $500 in
cash was all that was left remaining on hand Of
the assets OF the committee In making collec-
uons little or nothing was done in the Navy de-
partment, because the Secretary was away,
and Mr.. Hogg threw obstructions in the way
The employees OF the Secretary's Office of
the Senate and the Sergeant alarms, witness
said, contributed literally and willingly.
Witness said he would prepare memoranda of
DIANA and S., 600 to Ohio, to be used in close dis
tricts. Mr.. Mcdonald thought that this was
discriminating in favor OF Ohio. Mr. Gorham
replied M that the Ohio people pulled him better.
Witness sent some money into Houses district,
In tennessee, to help Mr.. Pettibone, the repub-
lcan; sent 81 900 to Colorado; sent only 81 500 to
Pennsy lvania, but had an arrangement by
tions from federal of1iceholders in Philadelphia
ard In AHeghany county. Witness reiterated
that no ladies had been asked to contribute,
but that several ladies had called at his Office
and made payments, insisting that they wanted
to do So and he was too much OF gentleman
not TO accommodate them.
NOTES.
The committee viii meet at 1890 am. On to-
morrow to hear L. S. Marshal KernS, of the
eastern district of Pennsylvania Who arrived
at noon to-day.
A sub committee, consisting OF Messrs. Wal
lace, Mcdonald, Garland, Howe and Cameron.
was appointed to visit Philadelphia and take
testimony In that city On Friday and Saturday.
The proceedings before the committee are
conducted with open doors.
Political Legislation This Session.
PROGRAMME OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CON
MITTEEs.
The two committees appointed last week by
the democratic caucuses OF the House and Sen.
ate, held another joint meeting yesterday AFTER
noon, and reached final agreement concern
Ing OOtn tne general nature and the precise
form or their recommendations for political
legislation during the present session OF Con-
gress. They recommend that the repeal OF the
law authorizing the presence OF troops at the
appropriation bill copy OF the clause agreed To
by the House OF Representatives at the last ses-
sion. that the jurors test oath be likewise sim
ply aoollshed by the insertion of a repeating
clause In the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill, and that the provisions then
incorpoIated a3coro py the House In the same bill
empanelliDg Jurors be substantially readopted
Dy the dominant party this session. In addt-
tlGn t,11 70 70 the Two last named clauses, there
the legislative. executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill, Immediately following the
appropriation for expenses OF courts, a
series OF clauses the effect OF which.
II enacted, VIII be to repeal the existing ap-
and deputy marshals for elections and to re-
strict the functions and power OF the two suner
tlsors OF different politics, whose appointment
10 Cne present manner will continue to be au-
tn0rlzed, 10 those OF witnesses and challengers
vlsors must be resident and duly Qualified
voters In the precincts where they are to serve.
Ihe jurisdiction of the federal courts to punish
sucn frauds In the elections for Representatives
10 congress as may be reported by the super
v1sors, or other citizens, Is not to be interfered
with; nor will the caucus be advised to disturb
IN any manner the existing law known as the
enIOrcement act" relative to suffrage and
otner civil rights. The recommendations above
outlined VIII be reported to a joint callcIIs Of
aenocratlc members OF the two houses this
evening. N' 'iiio
1hE ELECTRIC I.IGHT-A movement Is IN raot
a. al boston 10 light the harbor at night nv the
full lampss an Fort ~ Is thought by placing power
u, Tue osnard Company the harbor can he II.
tuinlLateu su1licently to make II safe for vo"soi
ooe 10 Ine city In the darkest night. San