The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-03-26
ELECTIONS IN TEXAS.
The Senate Committee Commences
Inquiry Into Alleged Frauds.
Nearly 200 Pages of Records Which
Cannot be Found.
A Telegram Read Which Was vainiy
Sought for Last Year.

WASHINGTON, Marcn An the senate
committee room on privileges and elections
this morning half or three-quarters of an
hour after the time fixed for the beginning
of the investigation of the alleged Texas out
RACES while Senators Evarts and Spooner
were waiting for their Democratic colleagues
on the subcommittee. Senator Spooner made
the following statement to Senator Evarts i:
ssSenator. this case seems to have been fairly
tried bv the United Stetes District Attorney
in Texas. Nevertheless, Kirk was acquit-
ted. They first struck from the jury panel
every Republican and every colored man.
We subpnnaed the clerk of the court with
instructions to bring on the records. The
clerk brought what purports to be trans
cript of the stenographic report of the trial
It bears the affidavit OF the stenograher, who
swears that the appended two hundred and
forty pages are true copy OF his notes.
The testimony produced i&- however, only
fifty-three pages, being throughout testimony
for the defense. 1t shows, however, that
there was important testimony for the prose-
cution. What should be done under the cir
cumstances?"
Senator Evart's rejoined with emphases
that the committee should bring all the par
ties to Washington. The Senators, With
Senator Teller, who then arrived, went into
consultation about the matter. At half past
eleven the committee was called to order
ID. ii. Hart of Austin, Texas, clerk OF the
United States District and Circuit courts,
was sworn. His appointment to the posi-
tion was subsequent to the trial OF Lafayette
Kirk and others for acts connected with the
events which the committee is investigating.
His predecessor is now in Albany peniten-
tiary for malfesance in office, forgery, etc.
The witness produced certain indictments,
capiases and evidence which his subpoena
called for. In the examination Oh the evil
dence, the witness read the stenographer's
affidavit and then at the request OF the COM
mittee, counted the pages. There were oz.
The witness had been unable to find the otn,
er 1893 pages in his Office. Senator Pugh told
the committee that he understood the entire
official stenographic report was In stne attor-
which the witness submitted was the follow
ing. written upon a Western Union blank,
purporting to be the original despatch OF
November 2, to d. Bolton Courtney;
Things here look doubtful. Do your work.
ffalss. ffsllsned' l. AiAA'
This is the telegram about (which the COM
mittee year ago tried to get some informa--
tion. Judge Kirk, then witness, denied
sending it and the telegraph operator at
BRENNAN, under instructions from the sup
erintendent, refused to ktestify on the sub
ject. The witness said he found the tele-
gram folded in the Indictment against klrK,
In his Office.
Senator Pugh entered an objection to its
being introduced in evidence, the objection
being based upon the fact that its authenticl-
ty was not established and the telegraph
company had no right to produce
it.
In reply to Senator Pugh, the witness said
it was his understanding, that his preae-
cessor, now in the penitentiary, was Re-
publican. Several other witnesses were ex-
amined by the committee.
Robert Wilson (colored), who said ne knew
Judge Kirk personally and well testlhed TO
meeting him on the evening Of election day
at Graball precinct, place where klrk,
when before the committees swore he had
not been.
In reply to Senator, Pugh, the witness
said he had once been on trial Tor biting
a woman and gambling" but acquitted.
Elijah Toland (col0red), swOre that on the
night of election, County Constable Multans,
by and Is or 20 other white men, mounted and
armed, came to his house and with threats OF
instant death, forced him to guide them the
nearest way to Washington's road, 1ye miles
distant In reply to Senator Pugh, who
wanted to know how 1t was that these men
the witness said were natives, did not know
the way, the witness said they mad never
been through the bottoms, and besides they
were lost.
8. d. Durfee (white), formerly telegraph
operator at Benton, produced copy OF the
telegram received by him addressed to b.
Leary Barton, Tex, and signed Dy hoDert
Sloan, as follows:
"Graball gone against the Peoples ticket four
to one. What must we do. Let us hear from you
tonight. Ferwclyn oyerfiowing against us;
Graball and Ferwelyn are two OF the Vot-
ing places, where it is alleged fraud was per-
petuated in the interest OF the Peoples tlck- 3c,
ct, of which Judge Kirk was the head. The
onmnlittpp adjourned nntll Monday.