The Portland daily press., 1880-03-04
Especial Despatch to the Press.

in the slightest degree, but was complete
refutal of the allegations of bribery. The tes-
timony offered conclusively proved that Swan
condemned the count out and favored seating
the cities when the House was organized; and
that White in his interviews with him had
simply urged him to take stand and either
make known his views by a public address, or
communicate them to the public by letter,
which latter advice he needed, and that the
object of his visit to the court house, where he
stated he received the bride of $1,000, was to
write that letter., which was afterwards pub.
lished in daily paper.
ITO the Associated Press.]
AUGUSTA, March 3.-Representatives Hall
was again crowded this afternoon with specta-
tors eager to listen to the progress of the
bribery investigation.
VIM. H. Libby, sheriff of Kennebec county,
testified that Wallace R. White had not been
in sleigh with him during the winter.
A. c. Otis of Winthrop testified that he
heard on Thursday subsequent to the session
Hartman say to w. R. White, "Would like
to speak to you alone" White said, eff you
have anything to say to me say it here" 1t
was in the hall of the House. Hartman said
he had better be busting or charges would be
brought against him. White said that he had
done nothing wrong and that he (Harriman)
might get into trouble.
Wallace R. White of Winthrop took the
stand and testified: l am 81 years of age.
Resided in Winthrop II years. Came to Au.
gusta Sunday, Jan. 4th, in the evening with
J. III. Potter, law partner with E. F. Pillsbury,
stopping with Mr.. Potter all night leaving
there on Monday going to Mrs. vaugh's on
Perham street, where was to board. Went
| to the depot on the arrival of the afternoon
train Monday. Saw J. O. White in front of
Aliens block soon after the arrival of the
train. While was talking with him man
came up whom afterwards learned was Thos.
B. Swan. He and White went off together.
Next saw 7. B. Swan about 10 o'clock at the
Augusta House. Swan came to me and in
troduced himself as Swan and asked me if my
name was White. Talked to me about the
| account he had sent me to collect. Asked him
| what he thought about the decision of the
court. Swan said, "This settles the matter
| and kills the Greenback party in Maine" He
had been urged to take stand. l urged him
| to make public statement or to speak on the
floor of the House in favor of seating members
legally elected. He said that was no place to
talk this matter over and wanted to know if
would meet him somewhere else and he sug-
gested the court house. We would be watch.
ed if we tailed there in public by the Flu
sionists, Pillsbury and others. The office was
full when the conversation took place. We
agreed to meet at the court house next day.
After that saw James o. White and we went
up stairs and talked in one of the balls. Pre-
viOusly had been at his house and talked with
him on the decision of the court. So far as
city members were concerned he thought the
opinion of the Judges correct and should vote
to seat them. asked him not to act with the
Legislature of which he was counted-in
member and to make announcement thereof.
Asked him to meet me at the courthouse next
morning. Did not show, offer or suggest to
him any money. The subject of money was
not mentioned or suggested during the CON
versation. / had $25 with me-
Tuesday morning about $50 j. o. White
and myself went into the jury room of the
court house and talked about the matter which
engaged our attention the night previous. He
had decided to take his seat in the Legislature
and to make no statement. He wanted to stay
in the House of Representatives, and said it
was probably his last chance and he wanted
the honors. Our conversation was brief,
nothing being said about Swan. Saw Swan at
the time we agreed upon to meet at the court
house. 1t was in the corner jury room. Can
not remember all the conversation but we
talked about the legislature. Swan said he
had got sick of the Gresnback party and
he easiest way possible, that it would give
thin lift politically Went out and got
some paper and Swan took the paper 1 gave
him and wrote a statement which had been
published. 1t was his own composition. He
wrote it of his own free will I mentioned l
think that it would be the proudest act of his
life. praised him for it. He said there were
others of the same view Who would take the
same course and mentioned Hartman as one
who would be likely to be influenced by him.
He never gave me his certificate. At this
point Mr.. Carleton, counsel for White, asked
the direct question:
Did you, Mr.. White, pay Mr.. Swan any
money?
and looking him straight in the face said in
loud and most emphatic voice pointing to-
wards him, Il never paid that man any money
in any way, shape or manner, "and advancing
still further towards Swan he added land he
knows it."
The audience that had remained till this
time in breathless silence here burst forth
in loud and long continued applause Mr..
Swans appearance during the ordeal was not
favorable to his case.
White continued Did not lock the room
when he went out and nothing was said about
raps. Swan said at the Augusta House that
he had been urged to take the same course ad
vised him toSaw Swan that evening and said
I wanted to see him and told him had heard
rumorS that some one had offered him $1,000
to influence his action. He was disinclned to
throp on Tuesday after the meeting of the
Legislature. Told my sister to be near and
where she could hear the conversation as there
had been rumors concerning bribery that
wished to speak to him about. said to him,
and my sister overheard all the conversation
"What do these rumors mean where your
name is connected with bribery"
j. o. White replied, mo Wallace, you know
and know that you never offered me any
money or asked me to offer it to any one."
toll him T uo UOinU n hnfOra the
committee of the Legislature and tell my
story. He said it would be no use to 60 before
the fusion committee as it was all one sided.
1 told him he must go before the committee
After dinner Tuesday afternoon went to Sena-
tor Blaine's Went up to give him Swans
papers for publication. large number of
people were there. Blaine was busy in the
back room aud could not see him. Sherman,
Blaine's secretary, came out and ! gave the
the statement to him. Left Blaine's about
half past one and rode to the court house.
Swan brought Hartman and said she was all
right" meaning supposed that he would take
the same course as himself. Hartman came
in and remember asking him about the opin-
ion of the court and he said it was all right.
The question came up as to making public the
statement and he said he would like to stay
away from the Legislature but didn't wish to
make public statement and put it in writing.
He was reluctant indeed to give bis opinion in
writing. He afterwards took some paper and
wrote a public statement. The statement was
his own but helped him on the language ana
spelling. ] referred him to persons who were
taking the same course as be did. Did not
leave the room while Hartman was there.
Sewall, the janitor of the court house, came
to the door and l asked him to come in but he
did not. 1 did not pay or offer Mr.. Hartman
any money or make amp suggestion of money.
Was in there with Hartman in the neighbor.
hood of an hour. Not word was said about
money in any shape. The door was not locked
while we were in there. Never have seen
Harriman's certificate. Carried the letter of
Hartman to Sherman. Next saw Hartman
in Representatives Hall the Thursday follow
ing. white here relates the conversation that
had previously been given by the other wit
nesses) 1 didn't see him afterwards. did
MT want to see men vile enough to trump up
these charges
The cross-examinaton of White by L. B.
Swan ELECTED nothing new that was not
brought out in the direct testimony. 1t only
strengthens Whites position. Swan did not
press his questions and did not seem to care to
examine the witness critically.
K. I. Townsend of Litchfeld testified that
he was the man who rode with White from
Blaine's to the court house. White coming out
of the gate and getting into his Sleigh 1t was
Tuasd az aftnrnoDn.