The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-22
DEFYING THE COURT.

Perkins Sent tO Jail for Again Refusing to
Go ON tho Witness Stand.
There was large and expectant crowd in the
the room occupied by Commissioner Van Buren, s
inquest. yesterday morning, when he took his
seat. There much speculation TO what
Samuel E. Perkins who had refused to testify,
would do next, the majority of opinions being
that he would make a clean breast of it, let the
revelation hurt whom it may.
Samuel E. Perkins took the witness-stand.
When the Commission made the usual demand
that he hold up his right hand and be sworn, TO
testify in the case, Mr.. Perkins read from a pa
per- where it had been carefully written out for
him, his hand shaking as he replied:
II respectfully decline to be testify in this
proceeding at this time the ground that the ex-
Aiming officer OF this court has jurisdiction in the
subject matter now being inquired into
Captain RitterI ask that he be committed for con-
tempt of court.
Commissioner Van Burcn-This matter was acted
1pon yesterday, and acting under the advice given
then by Judge Woods shall have to commit you.
Mr. Perkins for contempt of this court, and You will
stand committed for three months, until further
ders of this court.
Mr.. Duncan-Your honor will make out the COM
mitment.
The Commissioned have already made it out in
anticipation of Mr.. Perknss refusal to testify. THE
Commissioner here read the commitment, which re-
cited the facts in the case and directed the marshal to
Sake Samuel E. Perkins to JAIL and nstructing the
tailor to securely keep him there period of three
months until the further order of the court. Is
che marshal here of his deputies? You refuse,
also do you. Mr.. Perkins, to make affirmation?
Mr.. i'erkms-Yes, sir.
United States Marshal Hawkins came for
ward, and Mr.. Perkins followed him out of the
room. his lawyers-O. B. Hord. Major Calkins
and Major Observation-Disclosures up the rear, q
very heavy string of bo0s for so small klte
The spectators, as this train filed out we're very
auiet-almost solemn. 1t didn't appear to them
20 be the least little bit of joke.
Sanford w. HornaGay was then called as a
witness. He resides at No SO Plum street. and
testified that ne held no official position in con-
nectton with the late election, but was present
at the canvasslng board.
Question by Captain Ritter-Were you present at
any time during the canvassng of returns when the
question that tally.sheets had been changede
Answer-That question sprung several times
Ny first definite recollection that tot the Seventeenth
wal d. in the precinct where Mr. Corbaley acting
instead of the Inspector did not the sheet
At that time. The matter was discussed by William
H. Morrison and others. saw the tallysheets of the
second precinct of the Fourth ward. where changes
had been made-where Mr.. Counselman was inspector
Ny attention called to the changes particularly
in the votes for criminal judge. When / looked at
them they still in the possession of Bernhamer
and Trustee Many. They had previously been laid
inside. when they up in their regular order.
Q.-When were they passed or suspended
Al believe it was about noon time. They were
handed to the chairman, who remarked they were
not certified properly, aud they would be passed for
the present. They were returned and not then
passed..
Q.-When werc that precinct and the documents
called for again?
Alt must have been about or o'clock the fol.
lowing morning, possibly not that late do not re-
member the hour. The board were through except
one precinct from Wayne township 1t was then
counted along until they TO the vote for criminal
nudge when the question arose about changes in the
vote for that officer. My attention first called to
the vcte | was checking the tally-sheet made out
by Mr.. Breunig for the Republican committee. l
noticed the discrepancy in the sheet was checking
from and asked Bernhamer to call the vote again
which he did had made copy of that tally sheet
previous to that the day following the election be-
fore the canvassing board met. The changes were
made after had copied it. AS l remember, III the
copy took the vote for Irwin 23l and the vote
for Ayres 161. When examined it as the returns
being read before the board, it changed
Twenty-one votes had been taken off of Irwin and
bdded 20 Avres. 1t appeared to have been freshly
ieue and noticed the difference in the color of the
ink.
Q-What questions were asked Mr.. Counselman
about the chanCesa
Any recollection is that Mr.. Elan asked him
raised went round to Albert Sahm and had some
conversation with him. Coy came up and he and Dan
Lemon standing at the other end of the table
Coy said. The Req ubcans needn't squeal they
only getting their own medicine back"
Q.-To whom did he address that question:
A.-Mr. Sahm and myself l was protesting against
anything of the kind being done and Coy up at
the time of my conversation with Sahm. So did Mr.
Corbaley. l think Lemon was leaning against the
other side of the table was addressing myself par.
ticuarly to Sahm. l said to Sahm, surprised
that he. good citizen and holding county Office
should sit there without protest. He saic anything
wrong was going on he didn't approve of it, l said
rYou are not making any protest. He said he didn t
know anything about it, and [ said IF you don't
know. it is beeause you don't want to know" My
conversation with Sahm attracted some attention and
Coy up. He made the remark, Republicans
needn't be squeaing they are only getting back their
9wn medicine.
Q.-The conversation when Mr.. Coy came up was in
,egard to these changes in tally-sheets.
Ayes, sir.
Stephen Matter was the next witness. He
said he was the proprietor OF the Occidental sa-
loon. and was present at the count by the can
wasting board as inspector of the third precinct
IF the Thirteenth ward with his tally sheet and
cookbook.
Question Are you acquainted with Allen Hisey,
who lives in the second precinct of the Thirteenth
wardl
Answer was not acquainted with the gentleman
previous TO that day in the courtroom. was stand
ing there and Sam Perkins introduced me to him. 1t
was the first time to my knowledge l had ever seen
aim.
Odd you, and Perkins, and Hisey have any con-
yersafion together!
A.--Nothing more than that he tHisey, didn't have
mis- taly-sheet He said the Republican judge took it
and the poll books, ard went ca. of the window with
It. He got them again, guess. THE witness seemed
to think This delicate piece of humor-a bit of airy
persifage l didn't see Hisey Perkins again unt
towards evening. sometime in the evening. l met
him In the hail. and he gave roll of papers and
Salu bAfo NhciH w iAiSoss toob nc Aaa W 20 soHe
where.
Q.-What that roll Of papersg
Al couldn't tell you.
Q.-What did it look likel
Al never opened it, 1t was about the size of
taly-sheet / expect it / couldn't swear
whether it not. didn't open it or look at il
while it was in my hands.
Q.--What time in the day was it when Perkins
handed it TO you2
Al think it was in the evening. I never thought
about after that until this thing came up here and
wouldn't swear TO the time of day.
O.-Your best mpressonl
Al think it in the afternoon
O.-How long after it came into your hands was j,
sefore Won handed it 10 Hiseyq
At was from fifteen to twenty minutes, / expect
couldn't find Hisey previous TO that time.
Q.-And that is all you know about this tally
sheetf
A-Yes that is all / know.
Q.-Where in the hall were you'll
Al think Perkins came out from the private Office
back Of the courtroom. think when found Hisey
be was in that room lying sofa. went up t