Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-09
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Report Of the Bribery and Corruption
Investigating Committee = Senator
Morgan is Declared "Not Gaiity."
Barrett and Smith TO be Censured-
Committee Appointed by the House
TO Reappvrtion the State.

| Special to the Appeal
NASHVILLE, April S.-Sendte-A resolu-
tion was adopted asking the governor for
information relative to persona rendered
destitute by the flood.
Report OF IDyesIIgatiBg Committee.
The following is the report Of the Legisla-
tive Investigating Committee.
MR. SPEAKER-The committee appointed
by the Senate at the last extra session of the
Assembly, TO investigate the alleged charges
of bribery and corruption sgainst certain
senator's in connection with the settlement of
the house bill 100, known as the State
debt bill, passed at the last regular session
Of the General Assembly, respectfully report
that they organized "A soon AZ practicable
after their appointment, anu proceeded TO
the discharge OF the duty imposed. The
bill epjsiRiag the execution o. SAID .-aea
charged that it was passed by bribery
and corruption, and the counsel for
the complainants in said cause were
requested to meet the committee,
aud to designate certain ones from their
number, who would present the facts npon
which The charges were made, so far their
knowledge extended, and also conduct the
examination of witnesses before the commit
tee. In pursuance of this request Messrs
Vertrees, Cox, Champion and Hunt were
designated, and have attended the sessions Of
the committee, furnished the names of wit.
nesses 80 far as their knowledge or informa-
ton extended, and conducted the examine
ton. To the earnest and efficient aid #
these gentlemen the committee are much it
dehted for an examination and iuvcstig alton
as full and thorough as they could make
Ab)nt eighty witnesses were examined, and
thar testimony, making record of about
1000 pages of manuscript is herewith
submitted paIt of this report. From
the proof it appears, il indeed proof were
ne ;sssary, that the matter before the General
Assembly out of which this inve siigation
grew was one of absorbing and oyershadow-
ing interest, attracting 10 the capital city
many citizens prompted by a desire 10 aid
by their counsel in securing legislation bene-
icial 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 results productive
Of pecunary profit to themselves. While
this latter condition is 10 be regretted, yet il
was, perhaps, the natural concomitaut OF
legislation of the character OF that before
the General Assembly, and it may well be
regarded as fortunate for the public tha tlegis
lation of this character and consequences oc
curs at long and rare intervals. Where
legislation is required involving immense
sums OF money IN regard 10 which it is 50
easy for men to speculate, there will not
he wanting those who will entleavor TO in.
fuence the result by liberal bribes, threat,
or even more desperate means. Your com
nittee have made the investigation with
which they were charged as full and thor
l. L..
witness supposed to know any fact pertain
ing thereto could make it. All the testimony
taken was in reference primarily to the
charges against Senators Barrett, Morgan
and Smith, they having demanded an inves-
LEGATION, aud 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.
MoRGANs CASE.
The proof shows in regard to Senator
Morgan that an effort was made to interest
him in a sale OF State bonds, which weuld,
1t was thought, more certainly influence him
to vote against the bill, and a certiG
cate of sale was left with him to
examine and consider, but when the
paper was examined by him it was returned
with a comment upon the improperly OF the
act. Parties also stated while the bill was
perding that Senator Morgan would be and
III ----L-:';---A--.-.-
pecuniary consid ratious, but the statements
were not with his authority or his knowledge
'-+,-far as the proof shows, and one of the
parties nss}rins.- such statement testified as
a witness that the statement was made by
him (the witnes-); was made to affect the
price OF bonds, and was not true. Senator
Morgan did not vote on said bill as such in
ducement would have led him. As wit
l. IL l.~lE IL L
never received or agreed 10 receive any
money or valuable thing as a con- liberation
Ter his vote upon this or any other measure
pending bel fore the General Assembly. And
your committee report that the proof do, S
not show that Senator Morgan was guilty Of
bribery or influenced by corrupt motives.
SMITHS CASE
As to the charges against Senator Smith,
your committee report that aside from the
action in his votes in regard to the State
debt bill as a member OF the Senate, which
is much discussed in the proof, but which is
familiar to the Senate, it appear, that Sen
ator Smith stated to senators and others that
he had been offered large sum to vote for
the bill but would not do so, to others that
he could make large sum by so doing ii he
would, and to n senator that parties were
approaching him and that he was lis
tening to the proposals to see how
far they would 90. Senator Smith pro-
duced letters, kilograms and petitions
from number of his constituents urging
the Importance OF settling the State debt
and advising him to vote for this bill if he
could not do better. As witness in his
own behalf he stated that he has not been
influenced by any pecuniaIy or improper
IN casting his vote. While |
your committee are of the opinion that the |
conduct of Senator Smith 10 listening to the !
TO bribe him for any purpose was |
and unbecoming him as a |
Senator, yet the proof does not show that he |
received or WAS influenced by any pecuniary |
Or valuable consideration in giving his vote |
on said bill.
BARRETT's CASE.
10 reference TO the charge against Senator |
Barrett, the proof shows that parties desiring |
to defeat the State debt bill undertook to |
influence his vote against it. At one time |
he was given $50, which, while il was |
small sum, was to be spent during the even
ing in dissipation with the party. 1t was
never repaid or agreed to be repaid, and il |
was given by persons seeking to Influence his |
vote; and under the circumstance, he must |
Or ought TO have known was given be-
cause of his being legislator and |
having a right to vote said bill. After
ward he was offered by the same parties
5000, which he declined, but he continued
his as ociation with the parties, and AZ ain
met with them and discussed his position and
views upon the subject. They proposed to
JelI SIS, 900 worth OF Tennessee bonds for his
benefit, it being understood that he would
vote against the bill This he acceded to-
A paper was executed showing a sale Of said
bonds in the name of another party, who
was TO hold it for him, and tine profit, which
would depend upon the result OF the vote
Df the Senate, and possibly upon his
vote, was TO be paid to him by one
aud the same party. He was agsin
offered 5000 TO vote against the bill,
which he declined, saying that if he
voted that way he would call on him. Sem
ltor Barrett did not, however, vote as an
interest in said bond sale would prompt, nor
'eceive the profit FROM the sale 80 made, nor
loes the proof show that he received any
consideration for the vote he gave
IN the bill. Your committee have not
hought it necessary for them TO characterize
he action and conduct of Senator Btrrett,
,ut they submit the above facts To the Senate,
eaying il to the wisdom and Judgment of
enators TO determine whether his conduct
md action was deDloralizing and corrup;ing,
leeming it, as before stated, their duty TO
epOrt facts rather than conclusions. All OF
which is respectfully submitted.
WIN. NJ DANIELS, Chairman,
WM. ID, SMALLMAN,
Il. f. PERKINS.
+, F,B,RAGLAND,
A q. BROWN
MORGAN EXONERATFD
A resolution was adopted generating
speaker Morgan. The resolution censuri6g
senator Saith, Of Fentress, and Barrett, will
lie over until Monday, at which time Smith
will arrive hf