Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-18
HEPAYNE BRIBERY CHARGES

THEPAYNE BRIBERY CHARGES.
Au Investigation That Promises to be
Pregnant with Sensations-w the
Man DOnovin is Who Makes the
Charges Against Senator Payne.
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 1.-THE whole
State OF Ohio may be said TO be stirred
up over the charges made by Simpson X.
Donovin that Senator Payne bribed his
way into the United States Senate. This
man DonOyin, VINO claims that Senator
Payne, Of Ohio, was elected through votes
obtained by bribery, and who has named
10 eX-membsrs of the ONO Legislature
who be claims received $37, 600 Tor their
votes, is BaltimOreau by birth and edu-
cation. He is about 80 years of age, stout
of body, Ted-faced and with iron-gray hair
and stubby moustache. Several years ago
he was the business manager OF the New
York WOrtd, and he has been connected
with the Baltimore Gazette in
similar capacity. Drifting out
TO ohio, he has made his headquar-
ters at Columbus and attached himself to
the stan Of that eminent political purist,
"Johngee" Thompson. He was assistant
doorkeeper of the House OF Representa-
tiyes at Washington, under Col. Polk, Of
Missouri. After that he was the acting
manager OF small troupe of Tennessee
jubilee singers, composed Of genuine ne
gr0es, who Travelled through the small
towns OF Ohio and Western Pennsylvania,
under the title OF Donavin's Tennessee
ans. During the Payne-Pendleton-W w ard
Senatorial fight he was at Columbus,
and was an active partisan Of
Senator PendletOn, doing good
deal Of editorial work in his be-
half on the Columbus Tunes, which was
then controlled by John &. Thompson. A
man OF considerable ability, but for his
unfortunate bibulOus habits he would
have made his mark in most any walk OF
lie. AS it Is he has for years been known
in Ohio as a sound man and a vigorous
kicker when his faction of the Democracy
has not been in control Of the party or
ganiZation. He has had no rec0guitions
ot late, and he seems determined TO pull
down the pillars OF the temple irrespect-
i've OF the results that may follow.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
The committee Of the lower House OF
the Legislature which has been chosen TO
investigate Donavin's charges consists OF
Cowgirl, Thompkins, and Rawlings. Re-
publioans, and lie Bland and Hubbard,
Democrats, aud viii organize next Tues
day night. II 10 the strongest committee
that could have been named, and may be
depended upon 20 clearly establish the
truth or falsity of all the charges Of bribery
and corruption that have been made. How
the committee Will proceed will not be
known until it organizes. The four mem-
be-s on the floor Of the present House and
the two sitting Senators incuipated eE-
pressed their Willingness to be investi-
gated.
Since the passage OF the resolution
to Investigate the charges a most re-
markable change has taken place as TO
the claims OF many Of the mem bers
named, and others likely to be named, re-
garding their votes in caucus
which nominated Payne. In the
caucus Pendleton received 10 votes, Ward
II aud Payne AZ. The uil list Of names,
with the preferences OF each, was pub
lished the next morning, and has never
been challenged by the parties themselves
until within the last twenty-fOur hours.
The 81 Senators and Representatives vOt-
ing against Payne have been left out in
the cold by him in the distribution OF
Federal patronage, ard the other As have
either secured Offices for Themselves or
for friends whom they designated. Now
majority Of them propose to prove
that they did not take brides from Payne
and his friends, by proving that they
voted for Gen. Ward. They propose TO
make a1idavits, and produce other proof,
that they voted iOi Ward None OF them
claims 20 have supported Pendlet0n, so
that his list OF fifteen stands unchanged.
The list or seventeen who voted for Ward
too, stands undisputed, but now come the
following, ia addition, and claim 10 have
supported him Senators Elliott Breuner,
Leyering, Jaeger, White, McLyman.
Ramey, Cable aud Welch: Representa-
tives Beatty, Black, Bohl, Bfunner,
Pierce, Hamilton, HolbruOk, Lowensteiu,
Young, Of Franklin, Malone. stOufer,
Thompson OF Knox, CoogaD, CuH, Fran
CISCO, Baker, Lisle, and ohuitz. All OF,
these gentlemen have hitherto been cred
tied 30 Payne. II their present claim is
true then Gen. Ward received A votes,
and was the nominee ol The caucus, and
some one falsely counted the ballots for
Mr.. Payne. DID Lney vote for Ward, and
II not why are tney setting up the claim
in the face OF this proposed investigation?
are two questions on the lips Of all the
leading Democrats ~ the capital. This
unexpected claim prOyoKes anything but
favorable comment and criticism In Dem.
ocratic circles. There has been an oxo-
dus Of inculpated mem Ders, and II is be-
heved taat they have gone home 20 f0rtlfy
themselves for the investigation.
The Republican "a ajprity OF the commit
tee Will press the investigation, and among
those who VIII be called with iheireheck.
books covering the period from Oct. 10.
1883, 70 Jan. 10, 1854. Will be- Col. " p.
Thompson and oliver Payne. Of The stand
ard Oh COmpany; John X. Mclean, Of
the Cincinnati Enquirer; ex-senator Rob.
ert Reese, and Others. Further than this
the committee declines ~ indicate is line
" inquiry. The best Democrats lu the
state, aud among them Senator Payns5s
irleuds, say they are glad lnp iugeatfgafi0u
has been Instituted. and that the result
VIII Dc the complete Tindicafion Of Payne
and The Democratic Legislature by Re
uuullgHu Hfnan