The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-17

Examination OF Witnesses with the View
or showing that "Old Man Massey" Had
Attempted to seduce Some Members from
Caucus Feaity BY Pecuniary Inducements
Massey Present and Crsss.(l Questioning Wit.
ursses-secrets or the Party Exposed-The
Bribery and Corruption Talk-Some Ex-
tracts Of Eyidence-Committec Report No
Proof Found 10 Sustain CHARGES.
The report Of the special Senate commit
tee appointed "to investigate charges OF
bribery and corruption in connection with
any member or officer Of the General As
sembly, or any one elected to Office or posi-
ton by the General Assembly at either the
present session or that of 1S79-S0," having
been printed, was on yesterday placed upon
the desks OF members. The investigation
was ordered by the Senate on motion OF
Mr.. Riddlebcrger, and its scope >siibse-
quently enlarged on motion OF Mr.. New
berry.
The testimony was voluminOus. Pub
lished entire it would cover two pages OF
this paper. The following extracts seem
to present the salient points. A number OF
witnesses were examined who knew no.
thing Mt ALL they are not quoted below. 1t
seems that lhe proceedings were instituted
i'm consequence OF letters sent to the caucus
and given herewith:
Deposition OF Mr.. J. g. Cannon.
,
state whether YOU were approached by Mr..
Inr tt.s Affta
here with reference TO the procurement OF
votes Of one or more members Of this Gen.
eral Assembly? II so, state where and
when, and what each said to you or TO 9th
ers i'm your presence. A. During the
contest for the United States senatorship,
and while was employed in the First Au-
ditor's Office, ! was approached by Mr..
Massey and asked to conduct his candi-
dacy, financially, for the United States sem
atorship. | declined to do so. After i
declined to do so Mr.. Massey never dis
cussed the subject again with me.
Q. Did he say anything to you about the
amount OF money he conld control. II so,
what did he say? A. lie said that might
name the amount necessary to the accomp-
lishment OF the purpose he had in view,
and he would stand by me, or something to
that effect. =.
Mr.. Cannon is now Senate committee
clerk.
Near the end Of the Investigation Mr..
Massey filed the following: Mr.. j. e.. Cam
non was twice introduced as witness be-
fore the committee by Mr.. Riddleberger,
who deferred bis further examination to 4
future day. ] desired, and so expressed,
TO cross examine this witness. The oppor-
4 s..kf ~
the delay to complete his testimony. /
deem it proper that these facts should ap-
pear in the report OF the committee, and
therefore very respectfully ask that this pa
per be filed with those in possession OF the
committee.
Deposition of l.. N. Sandy.
Witness, being sworn, testified as fol-
lows:
Questions Jy Mr. Riddleberger. You are
n member OF the General Assembly! A.
A delegate from Essex.
.. State whether yoa are acquainted
with Mr.. John +. Massey, DR.. Wing, and
Mr.. Parrish, Of Albemarie, or either OF
them; il so, when you first formed their ac-
quaintance, and by whom introduced? A.
i only know Mr.. John +. Massey rs Audi
tor OF Public Accounts. | have no per-
sonaI acquaintance with him. Been in his
Office frequently, but only know him as a
public officer. / was introduced by j. g..
Cannon. ! am not positively certain OF
this-a pas ing Introduction. So / don't
recollect his name. That was in the Land
office. DR.. Wing asked me to speak with
him. He wanted to see he few moments.
We went out OF the Land Office. across the
passage-wsy next TO the Auditors oflice-l
I a. ff ho fol
q. State TO the committee whether any
conversation at that time was had between
you and
DIR. WING RELATIVE TO THE SENATORsHIP,
and whether Dr. Wing, in words, writing.
/ or otherwise, made any proposition or suS-
/ gestion as TO the procurement OF votes.
/ Tell anything that iranSpired relative to
that matter. 4. DR.. Wing asked me to
take seat at table in the Office. j did so.
He put down one and three noughts, and
said, This does not mean cents. / said, j
Fam shocked at your proposition, or sur
prised-I can't say which. He said, Not
to 20 with the caucLs, but keep out OF the
caucus, and il Mr.. Massey should be elect
ed 10 the United States Senate he would see
! should have this amount Of money. This
all passed recolect. lie stated TO meet a
ST. James Hotel at 8 o'clock, and left mt
this memorandum:
scrap Of paper, on one side written In Ink
Room Of Mr.. Parrish, ~. James Hotel, O'Clock.
Same side In pencil-NO. 60. ~
on the reverse side in pencil-Dr. Wng-fl, 900
O. Did YOU know Mr.. Parrish. A. Nevel
have seen him.
o. Did YOU 20 to the st. James accord
ing TO
TIE MEMORANDUM
left YOU by DR.. Wing, or did you have an.
further conversation with Wing or Farrisi
in relation to the matterl A. l did not q
10 the hotel / had no further converse
with Wing in regard to this matter or an.
, other.
Q. Did you 90 into the caucus: a.
, did, sir.
o. Did you ever see Mr.. Massey on thi
? subject A. No, sir.
o. Had you any reason TO believe, be
yond what DR.. Wing told you, tha
he was the agent OF Mr.. Massey! y.
, had not.
MASSEY CROss-oUEsTIoNS.
| Questions bu Nr. Massey: Mr.. Sandy
| understand YOU to say that the converse
tion detailed is all that passed between yo
and DIR. Wing on the subject. DO ! IN
derstand you rightly! a. Yes, SIR.
e o. This, | understand you to say, is a
: the conversation you had with anybod
i relative TO the same subject. Am correC
). in this? A. All had with Dr. wing:
y Q. Was any such proposition made
$ YOU by anybody elsey \. No, SIR.
e q. lad YOU at any time prior TO TN
5 conversation stated who you intended
/ support for United States senatofI a.
u think may have stated my cohst'tueh'
d favored your reelection as AUDITOR.
IL niI ION OF did NnIl mol, al ANY III