Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-05
NOT ONE TOOK A BRIDE.
THREE INTERESTED WITNESSES
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

Col. Livingston Testifies that no p Promise
10 Pay Him Had Been Made by Mr..
Harrison-Gov. HcDanisPs Reasons
for Appointing Col. Howeli--HOke
Smiths Interest as Lawyer-Com-
missioner Trammell Explains the
Bond Matter.
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 4.-The Bribery
Investigating Committee met at 10 O'Clock
this morning. Col. l.. f. Livingston, of
Newton, testified as to his connection
with the matters referred to by James z.
Harrison. He had come 10 Atlanta sew
eral times at the request OF MIR. Harrison.
The first time Mr.. Harrison requested
him to go over Gen. Phillips papers and
make such correction and revision as he
thought proper and assist in gathering
the facts ana arranging for their presenta-
ton to the subcommittee. A month be-
fore Railroad Commissioner Crane died
Mr.. Harrison gave him the $50 in pay
ment of his expense account. The money
was sent him by Mr.. Harrison with tue
following note, which Col. Livingston pro-
duced:
DEAR COLoNEL-I hand you $50, which 1
VIII supplement as per agreement with Gen.
+. Soon. / was kept up so late am fatigued.
X
nope TO see you soon. JAS. z.
NO AGREEMENT.
Col. Livingston knew nothing OF this
agreement, and said there was never any
contract to pay him money, not even for
his expenses, but he expected at the time
they would be paid. he referred TO his
interview with Gov. Mcdaniel, where he
was reported as having said Gov. McDan-
lei told him he had appointed Col. f. Z.
Howell Capitol Commissioner because
the commission was obliged to have the
support of the Constitution. Gov. McDan-
iel told him he had appointed Col. Howell
because OF his knowledge and experience
with public buildings and because he
wanted Col. Howel's support.
COUNSELLOR SMITHS RETENTION.
Hoke Smith testified before the commit
tee il relation to Gen. Phillips claim
against the Marietta and North Georgia
railroad. He was counsel for the Ma
retta and North Georgia railroad to pro-
tect them against hostile legislation. He
represented them before the committee.
He received a fee, therefore, not less tban
$500, possibly $1,000. He detailed the
bills against the road and it's cOmplIca-
tions. He proposed to retain Gen. Phillips
as counsel for the road because OF his
familiarity with the road ana because his
assistance was needed. He regarded Col.
IrammelPs negotiation in the Phillips
claim as one of business capacity. The
money was understood to be for Mrs.
Phillips aud not for Gen. Phillips. He
never gave Commissioner Trammell the
$1,000 bond. Commissioners Trammell re-
fused to accept the bond.
MIR. TRAMMELL's TESTIMONY.
l.. n. Trammell testified that Hoke
Smith came to see him and stated that the
Marietta and North Georgia railroad was
owned by a syndicate of five persons, but
that the contract was illegal. If the de-
feet could not be cured they would lose all
their money. He wanted Commissioner
Trammell to negotiate with Gen. Phillips
and effect settlement. Col. Trammell
saw Gen. Phillips and he declined to do
anything, but stated that Gov. Brown had
charge OF his wife's interest in the road
and to see him. Gov. Brown likewise de-
clined to do anything. Mr.. Smith said
that Commissioner Trammell should have
a fee, but Commissioner Trammell de-
clined to accept anything from Mr.. Eager.
Mr. Smith then said he would pay Com
missioner Trammell $1,000 himself.
THE MEETING.
Gov. Brown, Mr.. Eager ana Hoke Smith
met in the office of }. l., Brown. Messrs.
Brown and Eager talked of the Phillips
claim and agreed upon the payment of
$4,000, to be secured by $4,000 first
mortgage bonds as collateral. He (Tram-
NELL J refused to accept the $1,000 bond.
Mr.. Smith then said that he would sell
the bond and give Commissioner Tram
NELL the proceeds. Mr.. Smith paid Com
missioner Trammell $500 as the proceeds
OF the sale. He had not talked with MIR.
Eager. and supposed that Mr.. Smith had
divided his fee with him. He was sur
prised at Mr.. Eager's statement.
The committee adjourned to Monday
afternoon.