Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-12
PRICES AFFIDAVIT.

Following is an abstract obtained
from what is believed to be q trust
worthy source, OF the affidavit of Price,
which is row in possession of counsel
for the government:
In 1878, being the lowest bidder, the
affiant was awarded a contract for car
rying the United States mails on the
route, among others, from Corpus
Christi to San Antonio, Texas. 1t 1879,
being desirous of having the number of
trips increased and the time expediat-
ed on said Route, to the end that his
annual pay might be increased and the
route thereby rendered profitable, the
aftiant caused to be circulated petitions
for signatures of citizens living along
the line Of the road, requesting increase
OF trips and reduction of running time.
These petitions having been signed by
influential citizens and officials, were
handed to a friend in Washington for
presentation to the post-office depaft-
ment for its action. This effort met
with no success. The affiant then ap-
piled in person to Senator William Pitt
Kellogg, whom he had known many
years, saying to him: "If you succeed
in increasing my pay on this route and
that of one from Shreveport to Monroe,
La, l will give you $20,000." Kellogg
said he would see Second Assistant
Postmaster General Brady, and learn of
him what could be done. Meantime,
the affiant drew five postal drafts of
So 900 each, for the hereinafter named
quarters, on the route from Corpus
Christi to San Antonio. The drafts
were drawn on the 10Th of July, 1879
and before the order was issued grant
ing the affiant increase Of pay on his
route. A short while afterwards, Sena-
tor Kellogg reporting to hira that the
matter Was all right, he (the affiant)
handed to Kellogg $4,000 of postal
drafts drawn against his (sfisnt) for
following named quarters. Ending
March 81, June 80, Sept. 50 and Dec
80, 1880, and March 81, 1881. In addi-
ton to the above, the affiant gave the
said Kellogg his promissory note for
So GOO, payable IN four months, with
collateral attached thereto to secure
payment of the same. The collateral
consisted of Shakespeare mining stock
and note drawn by Naval Contractor
White, and endorsed by Mail Contrac-
tor Monroe Salisbury. All Of this pa
per was paid at maturity. Senator K Ell
logg told the affiant that the note and
drafts had been given to John A.
Walsh, banker in Washington, for col
lection,
MR.. WALSH TESTIFIED
in his examination, that he received
from Senator kellogg the paper men
toned in Prices affidavit. but that one
half of the $40, GOO referred to was Oh
| account of Kellogg and one-half was
to be credited to Brady in mis- account
with Walsh, in the capacity of banker.
Monroe Salisbury, referred to above.
is the mail contractor whose star route
services are the subject of arbitration.
The affiant further affirmed that he
was approached during the pending of
the congressional investigation of 1879
and 1880, or after it, by one A. II.
Brown, mail contractor, and formerly
| postoffce clerk, who requested the
afhant to contribute his (affiant's) share
to fund raised by contractors to paY
expenses alleged to be incidental to the
passage OF the star route deficiency ap-
priation bill of 1879 and 1880. Mr..
Brown represented himself to be treas
uror of the fund, and told the affiant
that his (afiant's) share was 5000, at
the same time showing him a list of
| contractors and the amount paid by