Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-23
investigation.

During the first part of the session there
was scarcely dav passed that there was
not loud ou,cry by the opposition for in
vestigation of bribery charges brutcG
against members of the republican party.
The sole end and ann of the continuance
House appeared TO bc to have somebody
or something investigated. There were
Swan. Hartman and Wentworth, longing
and signing for investigation and count
ing every day lost which did not bring
them the object OF their desire. Columbus
in search of new continent WAS not more
anxious for glimpse of land than these
gentlemen TO appear before an investigat-
ing committee.
Well. on Friday afternoon last, the com-
mittee 20 investigate bribery. of which
Mr.. Hutchinson of Lewiston is Chairman
began work in earnest. The first case
they had before them was that of Mr.
bartholomew Wentworth. Of South Ber-
wick. national grecnhaokcr. but formerly
a democrat. Mr. Wentworth told his
story. charging a ncighbcr of his with an
attempt to bride him to keep away from
the legislature and allow his scat to be
vacant. The accused man. Mr.. Charles
=. Kicker. Immediately followed with his
version of the matter, bv which it appears
that Kicker went 20 Wcntworth's house ut
the time alleged. tor the purpose Of trad
ing horses. and that while there iokip-ly
mentioned 10 Mr.. Wentworth that he
might make something to stay at
home and not take his seat in the
northumberland thoughts being
directed in that channel by something
he saw in the newspapers about money
being employed to hire fusion members
not TO take their seats. This statement.
made with every evidence of truth and
sincerity on the part OF Mr.. Kicker. set
tied Mr.. Wen,worth's case. and probably
his desire for investigation. The mos,
charitable conclusion appears to he that
Mr.. Wentworth's suspicious OF bribcr,
were rendered so sharp and intense by
the food of reports which he read in the
fusion newspapers upon the subject of
bribery. that he was deluded by this and
led to believe that the simple joke of his
neighbor was deliberate proposition tn
him to sell his sea, in the Legislature.
Still farther Ia add to the luiicrous out
come Of this Investigation, it was found
upon questioning Mr.. Kicker rs to his pol.
iiics that he had ai'euys ,oted the demo-
cratic t'cttt until last September. and then
he rossd the geeahack ticket., so il he
did attempt to bride. it was democratic
greenbacker attempting to bride another
democratic-g reenbacker. and not case
in which any wicked republican" was
concerned. Thus ended the frs, chapter
Of investigation of bribery.
The second case was that in which Mr..
Swan Of Minot is so deeply interested. the
Wallace r. White case. Mr.. White has
not yet recovered from very severe sick
ness which Frustrated him several weeks
ago, and could not be presen; at the OPEN !
ing Friday. but the investigation began
nevertheless. Two witnesses were heard. 4
They were voiuble in speech. but talked !,
about matters which had no relation to III. |
subject in hand. and the committee a, las,
voted that in the farther ccnduc, Of the in I
vestigation they would be governed nv
the rules in regard to evidence laid down
BY he courts. This closed the first hear |!