The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-23
THE BALLOT-B0X DEAL IN WHICH
MKINLEY, BUTTERwORTH AND
OTHERS ARE CONCERNED.
FORAKER ON THE WITNESS STAND,
Murat Halstead's Connection with the
Amir Which Mckinley Pr0nounces
Forgery-Other Notes.
FIFTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.

the Ohio ballot box forgery began its work
this morning. Chairman Mason laid be-
fore the committee a communication signed
by Senators Sherman, Stockbridge and
Mcpherson and Representatives Butter
worth, Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
Mckinley and Austin r. Whiting reciting
that as it is desirable to have full and i'm
partial investigation; they request that
Representative Grosvenor be allowed to ap-
pear before the committee to aid the exam
ming witness and render other assistance.
This request was granted and representa-
tive Grosvenor said that while it was ad-
mitted that the paper which was to form
the basis of investigation twas forged all
the gentlemen concerned desired to appear
and testify to the fact as well as to any
other facts that they might know bearing
on the subject.
WASHINGTON, January 16.-Representa-
tive Mckinley was the first witness to APP
pear.
The chairman presented paper dated
July 2, 1888, and asked if the witness had
ever seen the paper and whether the
name William Mckinley, Jr., signed
thereto, was signed by HIMSELF He SAID
he saw paper like it for the first time just
before congress met. 1t was shown him by
Representative Butterworth. The name
was not his signature. He knew nothing
about the matter except what he had
seen in the newspapers, and never
heard of the ball ot-box bill until 1T was
brought to light in the last campaign. He
knew nothing of the motive that impelled
the forgery. He saw a fac-simile of the pa
per published in the Cincinnati CONNER
al-Gazette, signed by James f. Campbell
alone. 1t was afterwards published in other
and local Republican papers. He had no
interest direct or indirect in the paper and
never had any business with Mr.. Mood,
IA, that ha haA rH
of him or the ballot-b0x matter until he
saw this publication. In his
speech at the Cincinnati Music
Hall September %, Gov. Foraker produced
copy of the ballot box bill and that with
the newspaper publications was the first
he heard of the subject. Gov. Foraker at
that time made no reference TO contract,
but subsequently the contract and sub,
scription were published in the Commercial
Gazette. The signature of Mckinley, Jr.,
was not very like his own signature, but it
may nave been hurriedly traced. His first
intimation that his name was signed to the
paper was through Judge G. w. ONeill, of
Lebanon, but he did not remember whether
that wasbefore or after his retraction; when
the whole paper was published after cleo
ton by Commercial Gazette his name
appeared attached to it.
Mr.. Judson Harmon, lawyer of Cincin-
natl, who was governor CampbelPs counsel
was the next witness and said that he never
saw the forged paper until this morning.
In October last George j. Murray told him
that this paper was forgery and had been
gotten up in his office. The witness started
TO get proof, spending the next day IN get
ting three atfidavits by &. Il. Murray, r.. Il.
Milward and Frank Davis. These affida-
Wits were evidence. The next day in com
pany with Mr.. Jordan, he called on Mr.
| Murat Halstead of the Commercial Gazette
and demanded to see the paper.
Mr. Halstead said the paper was locked
up in the safe deposit, but showed photo
graphic copy. Witness told him the paper
was forgery. Mr.. Halstead asked twenty
four hours for investigation, and q truce
was declared and decided not to push it,
and Mr.. Halstead withdrawing column
editorial about to be published next day.
Witness saw the retraction and got note
from MIR. Halstead stating that he was con-
WINGED that the paper was forgery. Per-
sons making atiidavits were told that they
were wanted only to secure retraction.
The Photographic copy of the paper ex
natures attached. Mr.. Halstead had cross
examined witness to discover whether h
knew if other names besides Mr.. Campo
bells had not been publicly mentioned.
Witness thought it was the part of decenCy
and wisdom to say nothing about them in
retraction. Mr.. Halstead believed that the
paper was genuine, but acknowledged that
something had happened that afternoon to
cause him to investigate its authenticity
Mr.. Halstead did not say where he got
the paper. The witness had his suspicious
but Mr.. Halstead denied their truth
Wood had told Murray when the latter up
| braided him for misusing his office and his
Young men, that the whole matter was a
mistake, that it was not intended for pub
| lication but to force the wicked Democrats
to give up the Topp letter. This was the
proposition by Geo. l., Topp, contractor,
| to sell gravel to the city and divide the
| profits.
EX-Gov Foraker took the stand and was
shown exhibit "a" the forged paper, and
asked to tell all he knew about it. He said
he had no personal knowledge of who exc
cuted the paper. After his nomination on
June 81, l.. n Hadden, assistant city sollc-
itor came to see him and talked about tie
political situation. 1t seemed probable that
Democrats. MADDEN thought that Camp
bell would be very strong candidate, say
ing in explanation that he would have the
support of some leading Republicans, men,
tioning Major Butterworth.
Hadden said his reason for supposing SC
was that i'll the final results of Camp
BELLS ballot box bill Messrs Butterworth
ana mCNllley WeIe Ootu hitSicstVu' IL,
Undertook 10 procure written evidence OF
his statement. Foraker was busy and did
not think of the matter until July g. when
not having heard from Hadden, he wrote
him asking him for the evidence. Hadden
did not answer The witness was interested
in the ballot box business and promised to
send the papers.
| At this point the committee adjourned
after granting II request by Mr.. Cultivate
that Gov. Campbell's examination be fixed
for Monday, January q. He was very busy
at present.
WASHINGTON, d. c., January 16.-Sen
atoi Teller presented the credentials
of w. +. Sanderson and Thomas G. Powers
as senators elect from the state of Montana
They were referred to the committee or
privileges and elections.
Senate bill to amend Art. 1903 of the rule:
and articles of war lin relation to desert
ers), was taken from the calendar anc
passed.
After an executive session, the senate ad
journed until Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Dorsey, of Nebraska, introduced the
Knox bill providing fora permanent nation
! al bank circulation. Referred.
Mr.. Mckinley, of Ohio, from committee OF
rules reported a resolution for the appoint
ment OF a committee on the Worlds Fair
To consist of thirteen members.