The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-06-17
THE BRIBERY BUSINESS.

y" elaSt week merely announced tne
fact that Assemblyman Bradley of
the New York Legislature had pub
licly made the statement that he had
been approached by a certain party
and had received the sum of $500
rs 4 bride for voting for Depew for
United States Senator. lie farther
declared that he had placed the mon
ey in the Speakers hands and the lat
ter confirmed the statement by declar-
ing that the lucre was down deep in
his pocket. An investigation was or
dered and the committee, consisting
nf four Conkling men. two Demo-
Gratis and one friendly 10 the admin
iStration, pfcmptiy Summoned Mr..
Bradley and other parties before
them. Mr.. Bradley testified that
Senator Sessions, Il member from his
district, was the guilty party who ut
tempted to purchase his vote, and he
related the circumstances attending
the commercial transaction. Mr.. Ses-
sions was subsequently called, but he
point blank denied the soft impeach-
ment. Here was deadlock in
the swearing business as we'll rs in the
ballOting The question of veracity
was squarely between the two wit
nesses ard it was left to the discrim-
nation ard Investigation by the COM
mittee to ascertain and locate the par.
ticular prevaricator. 1t appears that
the man Bradley is a rowing individ-
ual. as the following testimony
evinces:
Have lived in Clean since 1875. Am
II producer OF petroleum oil in Penn
sylvania, about twenty miles from my
home. Had entire charge Of the but
siness until came to Albany. Prior
to the year 1875 was engaged in get
ting out live oak timber in Texas.
Had contract With Fred. /. Powell,
Of New York, to get out 10000 feet
of timber for Newberg firm. The
timber was for different navy yards.
Worked at Eewberg for J. Bigler &
Co. before l went to Texas. Had new.
or before been in Texas. Went to
Newberg from BinghamtOE in May,
1872. / was sent down to Louisiana
i'm 1872, TO see after contractors get.
ting out timber. Returned the fol-
lowing spring. The contractors had
about 35 men scattered through the
woods. | paid the contractors mon.
ey and was frequently in New Orleans.
In the fall of 1873 took contract
to 90 to Texas for tiRher, where l
remained until July 1874. may be
mistaken about the year. Am prob.
ably one year ahead of time. Remain
ed in Texas nearly year. Had three
gangs of men getting out timber.
NV partner remained in Galveston
SEEING to the shipment of the timber
while saw to getting it out. Never
succeeded in getting II settlement with
Bigler & Co. Was not engaged in
business in Binghamton. Boarded
at the inebriate asylum there for eight
months. Resided ut Louisville, KY,
in 1871, where l had charge Of Il lum-
her mill for Chaplin Hall. Was in that
city about six months. My father
was lumber merchant in Salaman.
ca. Had known Chaplin Hall ever
since ] was hoy. Hall kept lum
her yard in Louisville. He purchased
Il large lumber tract from my fathers
estate. There were many law suits
growing out Of the settlement of the
estate. | was a witness in one of the
suits ut Chatauqua lake in 1879 and
1880. Was called rs witness for de.
PENDANT. The trial was before George
Bradley, referee. Hon. II. q. Smith
was one of the counsel in that trial.
Have had no other law suits on part
of the estate within the past few
years. Was witness in 1873 in a
case before Judge Warren. was u
stakeholder in the Pig Leg railroad
i'm Bradford. My partner, Kennedy,
was interested in narrow gauge
railroad. He got out an Injunction.
! told him ! had not signed n paper
giving the right of way to the Pig
Leg railroad. They produced u pa.
per Oh the trial signed by me, giving
the right of way to the company. IL
went to Louisville in 1870 or 1871, to
take charge Of Halls mill, and re.
manned there six months. During
the past five years been somewhat
active in politics. Have been super.
visor of tho town of Olean for two
terms. Belonged TO the Garfield and
Arthur Climb. Was nominated for as.
sembly in August last. Was opposed
by Col. Bascomb and Mr.. King. / had
not met Senator Sessions during the
canvass. Did not see him before l