Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-14

for Fenton and Ward before finally changed
to Conkling and Platt. also voted one time
for Andrew D. White before my final change
went home the day after Ivoted for Conkling
advised me to leave Conkling and Platt and
vote for some half breed. do not recollect
that he advised me to vote for any particular
man. The first time remember him asking
me to vote for Depew was last Wednesday
evening at the Delevan house. don't remem-
Der at what date prior to Wednesday
Sessions asked me to vote for Depew. He did
ask me about it frequently, but always an
swered could not vote for Depew. He, Ses-
sions, told me my constituency would be sat-
isfied with Depew and would not be with Conk-
ling, and said Rogers or Cornell could be
elected but Depew probably not. Wit
ness told Sessions he would not
leave Conkling and Platt until Depew
House all last Wednesday afternoon with Mr..
Jones and a resident of Jamestown. He was
boarding at the Delevan. We took walk
down Broadway together. Had seen District
Attorney Bradley, of Chataqua county, at the
Delevan the Friday before, June 9Th. Bradley
is a second cousin of mine and was here work
ing for Conkling and Platt. Recess.
| AFTERNOON SESSION.
The committee reassembled at $3.50 P. M.
The question pending at recess was whether
the question as to who was present at the
meeting of Independent stalwarts should be
asked The chairman stated the committee
had overruled the objection.
Witness then answered there were ten or
eleven members assembled present, only mem
bers of the assembly; the conference lasted
about an hour; came back with Jones; was
| walking about the Delavan house when
II met Sessions; he called me
back to the elevator and commenced
talking about my constituency, saying they
did not agree with my voting. He said had
better change my vote from Conkling and
that could not yet awhile. He then asked
me if he could talk to me. 1 ssaid yes. He
then said he could get $1,000 to put in my
pocket if would vote for Depew. 1 said no,
and started to leave him. Then he said they
had been paying only $1,000, but would pay
| 81, 800 on contingency. He then said he would
go up stairs and see what was the best they
could do. 1 told him 1 would not vote for
Depew. tried to get away from him and
told him ''No'' twice. Walked off about six
feet and he followed me up. He did not have
hold of me, but he had his hand up to the side
of his mouth, endeavoring to talk conf
dentially: 1 would not then talk money
because did not want to sell my vote and did
not want to expose him. Had made up my
took it to make an exposure. Had thought
of taking the money for the pur
pose of exposure ever since it
had been generally understood money
was being used. Made up my mind to take
the money and expose it. did not want to
expose Senator Sessions. l told him no, that
would not take the money. Told him when
he went up stairs to see what he could do, he
had not better go. Have said this before
you have brought it to my mind. Was not
very emphatic in saying this to him. did
not tell him 1 would expose him, because it
was great study in my mind whether Iought
to expose him or not.
Peckham, Sessions counsel-Why didn't
you take $1,000 then, and expose him with
that?
Witness-Because at the time didn't want
to expose him. Had not made up my mind
then.
Peckham-Why, then, was you SO reticent
about telling Sessions you didn't want the
money-because you didn't want to expose
him?
Witness-Because he was my Senator, and it
was not pleasant thing to do. After took
supper the Senator requested an interview with
me. had made up my mind to expose him. l
went to his room after supper because he asked
me to call there for him. When we got in my
room locked the door and asked him to take
seat. Sessions told me this was going to be
a good thing, all of us voting for the same
man. have done well for you, have got
| $4,000 He took it out and counted it over.
He then handed the money to me. I said
and think said yes when he said it would
| gether. 1 asked him before I got
the money who I should vote for, and he
| said, Chauncey M. Depew. I said 1 would.
| Think 1 have not said in my testimony that
said to him would vote fsr Depew.
Peckham read from his testimony that wit
ness answered on his first examination that he
| thought he did not promise to vote for Depew,
| and asked him if he had sworn to that at any
| time.
| ~ Witness answered that he had, and began to
| explain.
Peckham said he did not want any explana-
tions, but Bangs, Bradley's counsel, said the
witness had right to explain, and the chair
| man so ruled.
| Bradley then continued did not promise
| to vote for Depew, but it was understood by
Sessions was to vote for Depew, and, 1t was
for that reason he gave me the money.
Peckham-Have not you told us just now
you did so promise TO vote before you got the
money?
Witness-It was understood I was to vote
for Depew did not say SO in so many words.
From the fact of his paying me $4,000 it was
understood l was to vote for Depew,
and this reason is the fact of
my taking the money. After receiving the
money I went to the Delavan house and saw
Speaker Sharpe.
Witness related his interview with Sharpe,
already given. When went into the Senate
next morning 1 went to see Senator Sessions to
get him to put in writing what should say
about changing my vote. wanted to get him
in writing on the subject. Although it would
have the same bearing in the matter, that
writing would corroborate my state
ment of bribery. After adjournment
of the legislature on the day
| of the exposure went TO the Delavan house
and into Ex-Marshal Payne's room. Conk-
| ling was in the room and no other persons
Did not have any talk with Conkling or Platt
on that day.
Smith, of counsel for Sessions, said-When-
ever you went into the room of Marshal Payne
was it to attend conference to further the
election of Ex-senator Conkling?
Witness-Why, yes, that was perhaps the
object.
Smith-Was anything ever said or done
there to get votes?
Witness-Yes.
Smith-Did you ever hear of the use of
money in this question?
Witness-Yes, sir. 1t was the common talk
that the half breeds were using money.
| Smith-Haye you apy personal knowledge