The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-19
LAWYER MERRICK.

Further Statement Before the Springer
COmmittee-More About Price,
Bliss and Kellogg.
| WASHINGTON, June 14.-R, T
Merrick continued his testimony be-
fore the Springer committee to-day
He said Hutchinson, foreman of the
grand jury, which failed to indict
Kellogg, called at b is house last night
and maintained hc EHutchinson) was
correct in his testimony; that the Jury
expected Price 10 Implement Walsh's
testimony. Murrick told Hutchinson
he must be mistaken, rs it was known
Price was available, ind could not
appear. Merrick insisted that Hutch
lnson must have misunderstood Bliss.
Hutchinson had declared Bliss prom
ised the jury Price should follow
Walsh in the testimony before the
grand jury. Hutchinson insisted to
Merrick he was not mistaken. Bliss
did promise he should appear after
Walsh and Ashby before the grand
jury in the Kellogg case. Hutchinson
stoutly maintained his position, and
said that as Price did not appear after
it was promised by Bliss, the jury did
not indict Kellogg.
Merrick said his understanding
with the other counsel was, that Price
was not expected before the grand
jury, and hence his firmness in insist
ing at first that Hutchinson must
have been mistaken in say
ing Bliss Lad promised
to produce Price. Price was subse-
quently promised immunity if he
would testify against Kellogg, and
Price prepared statement which wit
ness considered sufficient TO fasten
guilt on Kellogg. Bliss was strongly
opposed to using Price as a witness
against Kellogg and the attorney
general finally decided to ACCEPT Price.
Bliss declared he would withdraw
from the case, and did retire for one
day, and witness said Ker went On
without him. Finally Bliss was per-
suaded to return.
Speaking of the Indictment against
Kellogg, Merrick said, in his judg-
ment, 1t was as good as any that ever
went into court of justice. Merrick
the payment of money to
Kellogg, and not the passage of
draft to him, was the offense. He
could not say why that issue was not
tIied.
The chairman of the committee in
quired about the conference between
the government counsel tes-
tilted to- to by Ker, in
had admitted to him he received
money from Price, but not for personal |
use; that it was for political use.
Merrick said he thought there was |
such a conversation. Bliss, who sat |
by, spoke up saying Kellogg did make
such statement. He said he (Bliss) |
called upon Kellogg in pursuance of a
letter from the encouragement. Kel-
Iogg admitted he had asked Price for |
money for political use; that Price |
he had no money, but finally |
said he had some post office drafts, |
f Kellogg could get them
,ashed. He would let part Of the |
money go for the political use desired. |
Kellogg maintained he got no ben
Eft from the money, but he took that |
means of getting money for political |
purpose from Price, who was inter |
ested in a political object he had in |
view in Louisiana.
Merrick denied Walsh's statement |
hat he (Merrick) had said Secretary |
Chandler approached him in behalf of |
Kellogg. Chandler had never spoken
20 him on the subject.
Walsh's testimony to the effect that |
Merrick told him lies and had betray- |
I'd the interest of the government was |
to, and Merrick was asked if |
ne had said that.
Witness said when Walsh first de-
,lared to him the evidence he had
given to the grand jury about Kel-
ogg, Merrick was much suppressed
ne had not been told of it by Bliss. |
He might have said, in substance,
that if his statement was correct and |
rue the court had been betrayed, or
to that effect.
Bliss had not thought the testi- |
nony as strong against Dorsey as
against the Others, and had said that if |
Dorsey were out the others could be |
convicted. Witness admitted he felt |
some suspicion which had grown out |
If knowledge of the past close rela-
ions between Bliss and Dorsey. He
lid not believe Bliss would be delin- |
luent in his duty, but he did believe |
hat in his heart, Bliss did not want |
Dorsey convicted. Merrick said he |
looked upon Dorsey as the originator |
and centre of the whole scheme that |
ne inspired it and was the master |
mind.