The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-22
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.

Attempt of the Maine Republican Leaders
to Bribe Members Of the Legislature In
disputable Evidence OF the Damnable
Scheme.
The subjoined afidavits require no
comment. They tell story of attempted
bribery and corruption by the leaders
Of the party of great moral ideas in
iIaine that no pen-coloring can exag-
gerate or magnify. The hand of James
G.. Blaine is plainly at the bottom Of
this dirty business. Indeed, it is open
ly asserted at the capital of Maine that
the bribe-money can be traced right
into the house of that honorable man
and representative Republican.
Following is the affidavit of Thomas
B. Swan:
1, Thomas B. Swan, of Minot hereby on
oath make the following statement: On the
evening of the 5th of january / was informed
by q reliable person that he had been offersd
81, 900 by one Of the agents of the Republican
party to resign his position as Representative
70 the Legislature Of Maine, and not act with
the Greenback or Democratic party. there
fore consulted with the leading members OF
the Greenback party, and informed them I
would have it limited to said agent that
my resignation could be effected with
money, and If was offered the 81 ,000
would take it and sign the papers that
they should request, and then expose their
plan to defeat the viii of the people by bribery.
The party whom they endeayored to bribe on
the evening of the 9Th was informed of said
plan, and half past 10 o'clock on the 9th was
appointed for me TO be at the Court House,
sign the resignation, and other papers. Iwent
there at the time appointed, and met the agent
whose name I now suppress. A trade was
l. ~. @Z.t-1
agent informed me they had got three of our
men to remain away from the House of Repre-
sentatives, go we could not have quorum
present I was required to copy In my own
hand papers which they had prepared before /
came TO said Court House for my signature I
now have the 81 900 in my possession, and
THOMAS B. SWAN
AUGUSTA. Jan. 8, 1850. -
KENNEBEC, ss., Jan. 8, 1880. Z
Personally appeared Thomas B. Swan, and
made oath that the above affidavit by him sub
scribed is true, Before me,
E. H. COVE, J. P. and @, for the State.
AUGUSTA, Jan, 8, 1880.
II, Thomas B. Swan, in the presence OF Hon.
Solon Chase and Hon. E. d. Cove, make the
following statement: nave this day been ap-
preached, by an agent of the Republican party,
| to resign as q Representative, for money.
am going to take the money Tomorrow, and
thus show to the people the fraud and corrup-
ton Of the Republican party expect to have
another party. also, take the money for the
same purpose. IHos- b. SWAN
This is true copy of the paper now hold,
and which copy was made and signed neal
morning, Jan. 5 to 9. by Thomas, B. Swan, il
| the presence Of Hon. Solon Chase and myself
Witness: E. n. Cow.
AFFIDAVIT OF MOSES HARRrMAN. la
I, Moses Hartman, of Kennebunk Port on
oath depose and say that during the evening
| of Jan 5, 1885, Ilearned to my satisfactionthal
| efforts were being made by Republicans tc
| bribe opposition members of the House to re-
fuse to act, and thereby prevent . quorum OF
| Wednesday. therefore determined to tes
the question and get proof if posi-
! BILE, to lay before the public and thwar
the purpose OF those who were resorting Z
such criminal means for the accomplishment
1 OF their ends. managed to get into communi
| cation with parties negotiating the purchase
and entered into an agl cement to meet man
whose name for the present suppress. at thi
i Court House in Augusta at half-past p. m.
i on Tuesday, and did meet him there at thl
| time and place appointed, and there receiyet
] from him 81, 900 in hand in consideration o.
i nv copying in my own hand, and signing certain
i cept seat in the House. dlsapproving OF the &C
4 ton of the Governor and Council, approving tht
1 opinion of the Judges of the court, etc WA
4 also assured that after the Republicans sue
l. c66Qeu Ii S6bdliS 4ull COutIOi VI VIC -L1ouco-
/ should be seated and should be well provide(
| for He left the Court House to go after thl
1 money, said he would be gone half an hour, an(
1 would give signal of three raps at the door
1 Hereturned in juet about that time and CAV,
4 the signal. unlocked the door, let him in
and he delivered the money. have shown th.
/ money to several persons, and now have 1t II
/ my possession. was told that the papers
signed would be published tomorrow morning
! MOSES HARTMAN.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 9, 1880. X $
STATE OF MAINE, KENNEBEo, Jan 6, 1880.
i Personally appeared Moses Hartman, am
made oath to the truth of the above staternen
by him Signed before me. ~
ll Justice of the Peace for the State.
We certify that Moses Hartman, Of Kenne
bunk Port, exhibited to MS, this Tuesday after
noon, package of money and requested us 3
count it We did SO. and made it u, COS, Bhicl
he said he had received as set forth In his an
| dayit e. II. Cow, ~
j. II SPRMGER
AusUsrA. Jan. .. 1850.
L