The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1883-03-24

Washington, March u. Mr..
Hubbell, chairman of the Republi-
can Congressional Committee, has
given testimony III the Chalmers
Manning contest in regard to the
funds given to aid Gen. Chalmers.
Mr.. Hnbbell testified that he had
known Gen. Chalmers ever since
he was in Congress, aud had an in
>terview with him about the time
he was turned out of Congress.
1t was in the parlor of the Riggs
House, and the subject discussed
was Mississippi politics, the atti-
tude he proposed to take with
respect to them, and what he pro-
posed to do. He said that he was
satisfied in his own mind that there
was no hope for better times in
Mississippi, politically, unless the
Bourbon Democratic rule in that
State could be broken or over
thrown. He said, in response to a
question from the witness as TO
what he proposed to do, that he
should return to Mississippi and
announce himself as an independ-
ent administration candidate for
Congress, and wanted to know if
the witness, in behalf of the CON-
mittee, would be willing to aid him
in making the race. The witness
replied that they were not helping
in that sort of a fight, and would
not entertain the question of as
sisting him unless be was indorsed
by the Republicans of the district.
After quite long conversation.
during which the witness was try
ingt ascertain whether Gen. Chal-
mers really meant to mako the
fight, he became satisfied that he
did and said to him:
"Now, General, ] am satisfied
that you really intend to make the
fight for Congress in your district,
and | am anxious to have you do
it, because | believe if you and Mr..
Manning get by the ears in that
district the result will be that we
shall have a full vote, q lair count,
and that q Republican will, in that
event, stand good show for win
ming the racc.n
Gen, Chalmers said to the wit
ness that he had been to great
deal of expense in making the con-
test, and alleged other reasons
why he was short of money and
wanted assistance, and urged that
there was no better way of spend
ing money than by doing so if Re
publican victory was really wanted
In that district.
The witness replied: " General,
you 90 down there and make the
race in your district, as you have
talked here. l will give you $3.50
as a send-off, but it ust be upon
the distinct understanding that
the committee is to have nothing
further to do with the fight, and to
| furnish no further aid either in
money or otherwise"
To which Gen. Chalmers said I:
"Suppose the Republicans of the
district nominate me, what will you
do theu?r awe will consider
that question when it comes up,
or we will consider other questions
when they arise" replied the wit
ness, who invited Gen. Chalmers
to call in the evening and receive
the money. He called that even
ing, and the money, which had
been collected from Republican
members of Congress, was paid.
The witness wanted to stir up dis
sensions in the Democratic party
in Chalmers's district, and elect q
Republican, for at that time he was
not favorable to Chalmers's candi-
dacy, only in so far as he could
use it to secure a Republican sue
cess. The scope of conversation,
as the witness understood it, was
to divide the Democrats and elect
Republican, and with that under
standing he paid $3.50.
Gen. n.Henderson, secretary ofthe
committee, testified that his best
recollection was, that after the
Republican convention in that dis
trict put Chalmers in the field, in
pursuance of numerous requests
from the Republican committee
men and managers, who requested
financial aid for canvassing the
district, printing tickets, purchas-
ing books and preparing lists OF
voters, and sending canvassers
into the various parts of the dis