The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-06
THE MACKEY CASE.
The Real Facts of the Matter as Developed in
the Examination at Vincennes.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.
VINcENNEs, Dec. 5.-The Democratic press in
reporting the evidence in the matter of the con-
test against Robert L. Mackey, of Viucennes,
Ind, who was elected to the Legislature by
nearly $500 majority. distort and dscolor the
facts. 1t is claimed by the Democracy that
Mackey is ineligible because ne lived in Tennes-
see in 1885, and voted there in 1884 Below
will be found the verbatim testimony of Mr..
Mackey. az taken at Vincennes by the contestor:
EXAMINATION IN oHIEF-RoBERT L. MAcKEY,
WITNESS.
Was never assessed and never paid taxes while at
Shelbyville / believe / was at SheIbyve in Nove1n-
Der, 1884. Did not vote for presidential electors,
Governor, Railroad Com mssioners, State Senator
Representative Nov A. 1884. / east avote on that
day but not for presidential electors knew Ernest
Caldwell voted for him Nov. 4, 1884 for member
of the Legislature. but had forgotten his until
it in the papers don't think voted for any one
else.
Cross-examined-State the circumstances under
which you voted for Ernest Caldwell And why you
did not vote for presidential electors and other candi
dates!
Answer-They were very anxious to elect Mr.. Cald-
well to the Legislature, and solicited several
times to vote for him, but refused giving my rea.
sons THAT / DID NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A CITIZEN
AND HAD NO RIGHT TO VOTE. THROUGH THE INFLU-
ENCE OF HIS FRIENDS. HoWEvER-MR. WYMAN, THE
DEPUTY PosTMAs FER AND oTHERs--I FINALLY CON
PRESIDENTIAL ELEcToRs AND OTHER OFFICERS BE.
CAUSE CONSIDERED I HADNO RIGHT TO VOTE EVEN
FOR CALDWELL. He attorney; transacted all
business, and concluded to vote for him.
What place were you citizen of at that time9
This question was objected to.
A.-Sulvan Ind.
When you went from Sullivan Ind to Tennessee,
state what your intentions to whether not
you should change your citizenship from Indiana to
Tennessee, and as to whether not you going
to the State of Tennessee to take permanent resi-
dence!
A.-When left Indiana to go to Tennessee went
there with the express purpose of getting work did
not have at that time. other timo intentions
of taking up my residence in Tennessee.
While in Tennessee were you called upon by the
proper officers to do work upon the roadsl
Al was.
When that!
A.--Either in the fall of ga the spring of 49,
Did you comply with the demandl
Al did not.
Why did you refuse?
Al claimed that was not a citizen of that State
and they had right to compel to work the roads.
Was any effort made by anyone to enforce the de-
mand against you!
A.-Therc never
The Democrats put Mackey on the stand as
their witness. This is their case. 1t is evident
that the contest has no substantial foundation.
His eligibility is as sure as his election. This
evidence shows on what flimsy grounds the con-
test was begun The people of his district who
know him have, by 2, 800 majority, elected him
their representative. He is Hoosier born, and
has never been citizen of any other State than
his native State of Indiana.