The Portland daily press., 1880-03-05
THE BRIBERY INVESTIGA-
TION.

Evidence All In and Arguments to be
Made Today.
Especial Despatch to the Press
AUGUSTA March A final hearing was
given this afternoon in the alleged bribery
case OF Swan and Hartman, when the evil
dence for the defence was all put in. Wal
lace r. White again took the stand and testi-
fed point blank that he never paid any money
to either Swan or Hartman, or ever limited or
suggested anything of the kind either directly
or indirectly.
Swans evidence was contradicted by other
testimony in many of its important features
and it was shown by competent witnesses that
he had been opposed to the state steal and
expressed the opinion that the members from
the cities should be allowed to take their seats
Swan did not undertake to question White ON
his bribery charge when he put him under fire.
Inc arguments OF counsel will be heard to-
morrow evening, and the committee it is be-
lleved, will make their report forthwith.
ITO the Associated Press.1
AUGUSTA, March 4.-The bribery investiga-
ton was continued today.
Henry Sewall, Superintendent of County
Buildings, testified to calling on Wallace r.
White at the jury room and relating the con-
Vefsatlon attributed to him yesterday This
was on Tuesday.
Miss Nellie M. Fogler, who was occupied in
the registry of deeds Office, said that JAN 9th
Hartman came in and inquired for Mr. Snow
She told him that no one by that name was
there.
Major r. M. Fogler testified to the effect
that Hartman came in with others. They re-
marked they had no particular business but
were examining as to matters that might
come up later.
Jos. Siphers of Gardiner, Deputy Sheriff,
testified to Wallace R. Whites coming into
the grand jury room Tuesday after the writing
paper which had been referred to.
VIM. b. Buchanan of Mechanic Falls, testi-
he'd that he was acquainted with Thomas B.
Swan. Had conversation with him concern
ing the counting out. 1 asked him if any
Fusionists would be counted-out He said he
thought there would be to make the thing ap-
pear plausible. He said it was paying the Re-
publican party off in their own COIN Said he
should vote to seat city members. 1t would
be long session for they had manufactured
campaign thunder for the Republicans and
should have to make some for themselves He
was not surprised at the letter of Swan refus-
ing to act with the House. That was the re-
mark of the people at Mechanic Falls.
G. M. Cram of Mechanic Falls, said he
knew Swan. Had conversation with him.
Swan had said that Gov. Garcelon ought to
consult the opinion of the court.
A. j. Eaton of Mechanic Falls knew Swan.
Before the meeting of the legislature Swan
told him that if he had been a counted-in
member he would refuse to take his seat.
G. @. McGaffey of Mechanic Falls testified
that Swan year and half ago said that he
didn't believe in God and considered the
Bible only ancient history.
DIR. W. H. Jewett of Norway testified:
Known Swan for % years. Sold grape vines
for him. He told me of one sale he made
where an honest old farmer believed he was
pious and Joined in family prayers, on the
strength of which he sold the man $40 worth
of nursery stock.
Several witnesses from Mechanic Falls tes-
titled to much the same statements of other
witnesses covering the same ground
Geo. F. Cole of Augusta testified to Town
sends being at the Franklin House on two
days the first week of the session at about 70
o'clock. Could not tell what days.
Daniel A. Campbell, proprietor of the Frank
lin House, testified that Townsend stopped at
his house Jan. 9th, It'll and 8th could not
state positively what time he came there.
Came in the neighborhood of noon
Mr.. Swan testified in regard to the converse
ton that had been referred to by witnesses
from Mechanic Falls. He said in regard to
the opinion of the court that he had said he
should neither endorse or condem it as he had
not examined it thoroughly. Said that if
there was steal of the state it had not been
equal to the steal of the United States. AS
soon as the House organized he had said he
"ouIu voUe 10 aurntU tho Ciui0s. uOvcr
made the remark that he should vote to ad-
init the cities prior to organization
In regard to religious belief he had no recol-
lection IL making any such conversation He
said the pretended testimony of Llewellyn
Libby was premeditated falsehood. In re-
gard to the testimony of Wallace R. White in
regard to the conversation at the Augusta
House after the caucus andihis mentioning the
court house as place of meeting Monday night
no such conversation ever took place. Mon
day night at the caucus he had said that cities
could not be admitted until after we had or
ganized the House. Urged them to stand up
solid.
Moses Hartman was again on the stand and
testified that Wallace R. White paid him
$10O5 at the court house, and that Whites tes-
timony was untrue.
Wallace R. White was recalled by Mr.. In
gals and denied that he had paid money to
Swan, Hartman or j. o. White, or suggested
money to either of them. He understood that
they were to come out and denounce the
fraud.
The testimony is all in nd the closing pleas
OF counsel will be made tomorrow evening.