Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-04-11
NASHVILLE,
extraordinary Session Of the
Legislature.
Report of the Bribery Investiga-
ting Committee.
Anuolntment Of the Joint Redis-
trioting Committee.


NASHVILLE, Tenn, Apr1l B, 1882.
sFyArE.-A resolution was adopted asking
the governor for information relative to
persons who we're rendered destitute by the
food.
The following is the report of the legis-
latiye investigating committee:
Mr.. Speaker: The committee appoint
ed by the Senate at the last extra session of
the General Assembly, to investigate the al
legged charges of bribery and corruption
against certain senators, in connection with
the settlement of the State debt by the mea-
sure known as the 1908 bill, passed at the
last regular session of the General Assem-
bly,. respectfully report that they organized
as soon as practicable after their appoint
ment, and proceeded to the discharge of
the duty imposed. The bill enjoining the
execution of said act charged that it was
passed by bribery and corruption, and the
counsel for the complainants in said cause
and to designate certain names from their
number who would present the facts upon
which the charges were made, SO far as
their knowledge extended. Also, to
conduct the examination of witnesses before
the committee. In pursuance of this re-
quest, Messrs Vertrees, Cox, Champion and
Hunt were designated, and have attended
the sessions of the committee and furnished
the names of the witnesses, SO far as their
knowledge extended, and also con
Quoted the examination of the wit
nesses before the committee. In pursuance
of this request Messrs. Vertrees,
Cox, Champion and Hunt were
the sessions of the committee, furnished
the names of witnesses so far as their
knowledge or information extended and
conducted the examination. To the earnest
and efficient aid of those gentlemen the
committee are much indebted for an exam
nation and investigation as full and thor
ough as they could make. About eighty
witnesses were examined, and their testi-
nOny, making a score of about / 900 pages
of manuscript, is herewith submitted as
part of this report. From this proof it
appears, if indeed proof were necessary,
that the matter before the General Assem-
bly, out Of which this investigation grew
was one' of absorbing and oyershadowing
interest, attracting to the capital city many
citizens, prompted by desirs to aid by
their counsel in securing Legislation bene-
fetal to the State, and also many Influenced
by motives of speculation, some of whom
were prepared to resort to improper or
even desperate means, to secure result
productive of pecuniary profit to them
selves. While this latter condition is to be
regretted, yet it was perhaps the natural
concomitant of legislation of the character
Of that then before the General Assembly,
and il may well be regarded as fortunate for
the public that legislation of this character
and consequence occurs at long and rare
intervals Where legislation is required in
yolYing immense sums of money in regard
TO which it is so easy for
men to speculate there will not
be wanting those who viii endeavor to
influence the result by liberal bribes, threats,
or even more desperate means. Your COM
mittee have made the investigation with
which they were charged, as full and thor
ough as a latitudinous examination of every
witness supposed to know any fact pertain
ing thereto could make it. Ali the testi-
mony taken was with reference, primarily,
to the charges against Senators Morgan,
Smith and Barrett, they having demanded
al investigation, and no fact having been
elected leading the committee to inquire
INTO the conduct of any other senator,
although the examination sought to embrace
any senator guilty of bribery or corruption.
The proof shows, in regard to Senator
Morgan, that an effort was made to interest
llLn IL sale of State bonds, which would,
was thought more certainly influence
linn to vote against the bill, and certii-
cate OF sale was left with him to examine
anu consider, but when the paper was ex-
ahmed by him, it was returned, with a
comment upon the impropriety of the act.
lie parties also stated that, while the bill
was pending Senator Morgan would be,
ana had been, induced to vote for
'ne Dill by pecuniary considerations,
'u' tne statements were not with his
authority or his knowledge, SO far as
'ne proof shows, and one of the parties
making such statement testified as a wit
Ne'' 'hat the statement as made by him
\'ue "itness) was made to effect the price
0t bonds and was not true.
senator Morgan did not vote on said bill,
'u'n lhducement would have led him, a.
. Si'ness IN his own behalf. He stated thai
'-'' A''' '' received Or agreed to RECEIVE
' Hionsy or valuable thing as a consider
~'IO1 ior his vote upon this or any Other
- ''1ie pending before the General Assem-.
aHu your committee report that the
p'Ooi uoeS not show that Senator Morgan
was guilty of bribery or influenced bv cor
Fupt motives.
As to the charges against Senator smitl
ssuF committee report that aside from hi
,''u and his votes in regard to the Stat,
E'D' Oltl as member of the senate. which
! sl. -qOI discussed in the proof, but which
ca. ,A''-'iiAf TO the senate, it appears tina
~u senator Smith stated to senator's and other
,n ,aa' ne mad been offered large SUN to vot
%t ,ps 'le BILL but would not do 80. To other
;,~ ,1' lie could make large sum by SO doin
&c would, and to senator that partie
Es approaching him, and that he wa
s'H'ng m' to the proposals to see how ia
l.,t, you'd CO. Senator Smith produces
ha. a' kilograms and petitions from nun
,sno. :" nIS constituents, urging the impol
H.. I've oi settling the State debt, and advisip
better. -'' "iii IL ne could not
h.., witness in his own behalf he state
~ LAu not hasp ;ra,,a.-.