The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-07
Hew He Appointed Deputy Marshals
and Armed Them With Rev0lyers
Furnished by the Republican
Committee.
Renting OF the Pews In Plymouth
Church Bsecher Pleased
With the Result.
WRIGHT'S INVESTIGATION.
Some Interesting Testimony - Appoint
ments Made Without Any Regard 10
Law to subserve Partisan
Purposes.

CINCINNATI, Jan. 6-The Congressional
Committee, examining into the appointment
of United States Deputy Marshsls in this
city at the last October election, resumed
the examination of Wright this morning
The general method of questioning was to
read the names OF the Deputies appointed,
one by one, and ask the Marshal if he knew
these man, where they lived, who recon-
mended them, and then Mr.. Follett would
ask II the witness did not know they were
thieves, murderers, ex-conyicts. just out
Of jail or the work-kouse, charged
with crimes, etc. The witness in the
most cases could not recollect the persons
asked about nor who recommended them,
but said it was possible some were appointed
who were not recommended at all. though
bis aim Was to get men qualified for the
work. In reference TO one colored man, he
said he knew he was reported to be bad
man, but did not believe the reports well
founded. AT any rate, he was man well
qualified to meet the emergency which called
for the appointment of Deputies, viz the
danger OF repeating. HI was aware that's
OF his men were not strictly pious,
bat ia making appointments he had regard
to the elements his Deputies would have to
deal with. He had never heard q single in
stance where any Deputy had in any way
prevented any citizen from casting legal
vote.
Mr.. Follett asked him IL he did not know
some of his Deputies were keepers of crap
houses aud low dives.
The witness said he did not know the
meaning OF those terms. In the appointment
OF so manv men in such q short time, it
would be difficult to get all with a perfectly
clean history. A man may have been in the
penitentiary, and still be good msn for
Deputy Marshal at an election.
Follett-Ies, suppose man may have
been in Jail yesterday and be a saint to-day.
Wright-A man may have been IN jail
yesterday and have been a saint yesterday.
The witness repeated that he had made q
great effort to get good and efficient men,
and most Of them were such.
Mr.. Follett asked how many OF the 600
pistols had been returned?
The witness said between 800 and 400.
''Still," said Mr.. Follett, you had good
men, who retained nearly half your re-
volYers."
The witness said he expected 10 get more
of these revolvers yet. He admitted having
appointed three Deputies to serve in Resd-
ing, which wss not a city of 10000 inhab-
itsnts, and from which he had no written
application.
In the witnesses view of the law. be had
power TO send general Deputies TO each
voting place in the Southern Ohio District,
but would not be entitled TO allow them pay
for such service. He denied having had
consultations with Butterworth and Brown,
or With the Republican Committee, except
in casual way. Ia general he followed his
own judgment. He denied that there was
a plan agreed on after consultation,
as possible, which was aftefward
abandoned and the other plan adopted. He
took some advice about the appointment
from f. g. Rathbone, of the Pension Depart
ment, who was also general Deputy OF his,
hsvi. been appointed some year or more
ago Examination of this witness not ended.
Mr. Follett asked If witness appointed any
Deputy Marshal who was. Democrat, know
ing him to be such, without stipulation
that he should vote and work for at least one
Republic
Witness replied he made no such stip1la-
ton. He appointed one Democrat, w. II.
Adams, in the Twentieth Ward, expecting
him 10 vote the entire Democratic ticket.
He appointed other Democrats, bat could
not tell their names.
Follett-Do you not know that Bolen, oi
Louisville, and Sullivan. Of Chicago, were
here on election day and that they went
about the city saying more people should be
shot down?
Wright Never heard any such statement
until now.
The same form OF examination wss con-
tinued ct considerable length, Nr. Wright
repeating so many times that he did not
recollect that the laugh was raised when be
said he was told by some one that these
pistols were coming to him, bat he didn't
recollect who be was
Returning 10 the subject of theee revolv-
eTs witness had no written notice OF thsir
ccmiDg and 10 positive knowlede OF where
they came from. bat supposed they were
sent from the Republican National Com
mittee. His direction how to return them
was by telegram from Fessenden Chsffse.
or another member Of the commission, bat
he could not tell from which one. It was
bis opinion there would have been no elec-
tion here in October If il had not been TO.
Deputy Marshsls, aud that the Deputy Mar
shals would be worthless without arms
Springer-Didn't YOU have 81 election in
November with 5ut Marshals2
Wright-Yes, sir
SDriDger-And haven't you hsd many be.
fore last October without m4rshals2
Wrisht-Yes, sir. Bat an certain ;hsr