Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-05-01
nLAYTnh,N ASsAssIN.
His Identity known-Fhe Crime
Not n Political One

hIs Iuehttty AnO"h-Ahe ohiHo
Not n Political One
LITTLE ROCK, ARK April 23.-Oon-
gressmaD Breckenridge stated yesterday
that in his opinion the time had arrived
when the governor Of Arkansas should
remove the seal of secrecy that has
guarded his operations in the matter OF
Join N. Clayton's assassination. Per-
sistent inquiry this afternoon discloses
the fact that Governor Eagle has discov-
cred within the past few days, through
private agencies, evidence sufficient to
convict the man who sssassinsted CLAY
ton. Mt. Breckenridge no doubt referred
10 this information in his Abatement yes
terdAy.
Governor Eagle has been quietly at
work for months following up theory
regarding the terrible crime, and 1t 10
said that his labors have been amply re-
Warded. Just why an prrest has not been
made is matter a. present not under
stood outside Of the executive depart
meat. 1t is believed, however, that the
man thought to be the assassin is under
constant surveillance.
1t ia thought that at an early period in
the investigation by the committee from
Congress Governor Eagle will lay the
evidence he has secured before the MEM
berS and the arrest will probably be made
then. II is claimed that the evidence
| will be all thRt is necessary to convince
She public thGt the assassination was not
OF political nature The evidence on
hand, II is said will show that the assassin
believed Clayton to be Ex-Governor
4 Powell Clayton, aud LTei the shot, be-
| lievibg that he was about to s7enge the
death Of a relative, whose life was taken
4 10 1858 by Clayton'a militia.
Governor Eagle is 81 present confined
20 his house with fever, aud has not been
approaches on the mater Of making
! public the information he has on hand
only through mis- private secretary, whom
he directs 10 night to make no ststemen,
whatever until at a proper time, presum.
ably when tho matter IL placed before the
investigating committee.
LITTLE Rock, ARR, April 25.-Tht
Clayton RrecGlnrldge investigation com
mittee examined about 70 witnesses to-
day, nearly eli OF whom were negroes
The latter testified that they voted a
White River precinct, in Woodruff county
at the Presidential election in November
each swearing that he cast d straight
Republican ticket containing the namt
OF John NJ. Clayton as candidate To-
Congress. Last night County CLERK Fer
guson of Woodruff county, Judg,
Mcclure, attorney for the parties to tn
investigation, and J. II. Harrod, attorne,
for contestee counted the ballots in tn,
White River precinct box. This morning
they reported to the committee that the,
found tho result to be 2l0 votes 70
Breckinridge aud A for Clayton. Ib
majority Of the negroes who testified
were unable TO read and could not tel
whether the tickets shown them were tn,
ones they voted or not. They were posi-
tive, however, of having voted for Clay
ton.
In very few cases the ballots shower
they had voted for Breckenridge. In thi
state y number is written on ticket cor
responding to the number opposite til
name Of the voter the poll books, so tina
it is very easy to ascertain the ticket oas
by each vUtor. In nearly all the case
J where q negro unable to read had CAS-
J mis- vote the ballot produced was
, straight Democratic one.
The committee will procesd to moro,
with the examination Of about 40 vii
bEhbch lEOln iuC DUH, lut uUub VI III
J late John NJ. Clayton. Next week abou
$50 witnesses from Howard township
Conway county, in which is situate
Plummerville, the place whore Clayto
was assassiuated, will be here TO Civ
their testimony. The committee will en-
t desyor not only to elicit evidence tina
: will reveal the identity Of the parties VIII
3 stole the ballot box in that township, Du
A will also try TO find out who it was this
killed CLAYTON.
: DR.. Breckinridge stated TO the con-
! nittee to-day that he hoped the invest
r cation would take the widest scope
8 Judge Mcclure asked Judge Dent, tb
: county judge OF Woodruff county, il b
was not q member of the so called Imln
1 grafton Society OF Woodruff county
/ Mr.. Hsrrod, attorney for contestee,
jacted to the question, as the society ha
been organized since the election and ha
: nothing whatever TO do with the cas-
D undergoing Examination. Judge MC
: Olure said that he wanted to show tbs
the society grew ont OF the electio
. troubles Of 1853 and that the members G
1t were responsible for the election fraud
l in that county.
!. Mr.. Breokinridge arose and asked tbs
/ his attorneys withdraw their objections
+ saying that If it were necessary for III
K committee TO investigate the society /
accomplish its object, he would piac
9 nothing in the way OF its doing so. II
! hoped the committee would send for III
books and papers Of the organization an
3 give them q thorough examination. Tb
committee thought the evidence incom
petent end declined to permit JudR
r Mcclure to ask any further questions o
q the subject. Judge Dent further testifie
that he had been county Judge OF Woo
ruff county for six years and at each Gle,
a ton he always appointed two Democra,
i and one Republican as Judges for eac
/ election precinct, but always he'd diff
8 Guilty in finding Republicans who woul
i serve.
:. -
= ei0,0OO Lost.