Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-17

IN the Cincinnati Commercial. Gosrfts. sioned
ny campbell alone. He had no interest,
ulrsct or indirect, In the paper, and never
had any relations with Wood, and did not
recall that he had ever heard of him or the
cation.
Judson Harmon, lawyer Of Cincinnati,
VINO was Governor Campbell's counsel. was
the next witness. and said that be never
saw the forged paper until this morning.
Some time in October laat George J, MUIR
ray told him that this paper was forgery
ana had been gotten up in his Office. Wit
ness started TO get the proof, spending the
next day q getting three aflidavits by Muir
ray, +. Millward. aud Frank Davis. These
aihdayits were put in evidence.l The next
day, in company with ]. N. Jordan. he call
ed on Murat Halstead, of the Commercial
CARTE. and demanded to see the paper.
Halstead said the paper was locked up in
saie-,deposit box. but showed a photo
graphic copy.
Witness told HIM the paper was forgery.
Halstead asked twenty-four hours for an
investigation, and truce was declared
neither side 10 print anything, and Hal
stead withdrawing the Columbiad editorial
about 10 be published. The next day wit
ness saw the retraction. and got a note
from Halstead stating he was convinced
that the paper was "a forgery
Persons making the aifidavits we're told
they were only wanted 10 secure retrac-
ton Witness did not remember ever 10
have seen II. 6. Wood, but was
tod that he would recognize him If
he met him. He had tried bard TO find him,
but without success. Millward was patent
draughtsman; Davis was young lad en-
pioyed to help him. The Photographic copy
Of the paper exhibited by Mr. Halstead had
all OF the signatures attached. Halstead
had cr1ss-examined witness to discover
whether he knew Of other names. as other
names besides Campbell's had not been
publicly mentioned Witness thought il
was part of decency aud wisdom 10 say
nothing about them in retraction. Hal
stead believed the paper WINS genuine,
but acknowledged that something had
happened that afternoon 20 cause him 10
investigate its authenticity. Halstead did
not say where he got the paper. The W.T.
ness had his suspicious, but Halstead de-
MED their correctness. Wood had told
Murray when the latter upbraided him for
misusing his Office and his Young men
that the whole matter was a mistake. and
that II was not intended for publication,
but 20 force wicked Democrats to give
MP the Topp letter. This last was propo-
sitiOn by George JOpp to the contractor TO
sell gravel To the city and divide the
profits.
Campbell was understood 20 be about TO
spring this letter on the Republicans.
Witness thought Woods story was 1ishy.
Representative Grosvenor asked If Topp
had not afterwards been found TO he IN
sane and had not died in an insane asylum,
to which question the witness replied in
the affirmative.
Atmore South. Jr.. Surveyor of Customs
OF Cincinnati, took the stand and was
shown the forged paper, which he said he
had first seen at Republican headquarters
October 9th last. Ii had already been pub
lshed with Campbell's signature The
witness stated when IL was shown hun ho
believed il was forgery. but consented 20
deliver 10 20 iialstoad, which he did, with
the statement he did not believe il to be
genuine. pointing out the peculiarly Of
the ink IN support Of his statement.
Witness learned that Halstead had seen
the paper before Ex-Governor Foraker took
the stand. and was shown Exhibit Al
forged paper and asked to tell all he
knew about IT.. lie said he had no personal
knowledge Of who executed the paper IL
was Grst mentioned to him by l.. ".
Hadden. assistant city solicitor after his
nomination. IIadden spoke of Wood az
partner interested who could furnish the
paper. The Governor then told of Wood
stealing appointments as meat-inspect0r
at Cincinnati when Wood came to see him.
Witness said he was willing TO recon-
mend him. as he YVES willing to show Wood
that favor. He told Wood he should be will
ing to do favor for him, and told him he
wanted that paper lExhibitA Wood SEEM
ed little confused, but admitted there was
such a paper, and made q cleanbreast of
IL. telling of the ballot-bOx bill. and tho
contract, and Of the chain Of circum-
stances. and saying the paper was in the
custody of Powell Crosby. counsel for his
company. Wood told Of the failure Of the
bill with the last contract, but said new
contract had been drawn up and efforts
were being made to get Governor
Ayers signature. Wood also told about
another contract" the steel-gun con-
tract and said there had been some dis
honest business in connection with the
Modoc laws. Witness was more interested
IN the ballot-bOx business and Wood
promised to send the paper.
At this point the committee adjourned
after granting request by Representative
Cultivate that Governor Campbelps cx-
animation be fixed for Monday. January
9th, "a he was very busy at present.