Wichita eagle., 1890-02-07
THE BALLOT BOX CASE.
Senator Sherman on the Stand-The Tes-
timonY in Full.

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The house COM
mittee on ballot box forgery called Sena-
tor John Sherman as the first witness,
The senator testified that his relations
with Governor Foraker had always been
friendly. There had never been any i'll
feeling between himself and Mr.. Halstead
Witness went to Europe the first of last
May, returned to this country September
H. and was in Ohio in October. He had
written to Mr.. Grosvenor early in July to
the effect that Foraker should be heartily
supported. He was on good relations with
Governor Foraker and Mr.. Halstead on
September 2S last, and supported Governor
Foraker in the campaign and spoke four
times in the canvass at important points.
Did not receive any inquiry before Sep
tember % from Governor Foraker or Mr..
Halstead as to whether or not he had
been a party to a ballot box con-
tract. On October s, got from the
Evening Post, of Cincinnati, telegram
saying he (witness) and Butterworth had
been connected by gossip with the ballot
box contract. Witness replied that the
statement was a lie and any subscription as
forgery. Witness was shown Exhibit A
and declared that he had never signed it.
The signature was a copy OF his rubber
franking stamp and not an imitation of
his signature Did not think the McKin-
ney signature looked like q genuine sigma
ture and did not profess to be an expert on
signatures. Might take the Butterworth
signature for genuine if there was nothing
to call it in question. His own signature
on paper would naturally raise question
and excite wonder why he had contracted
to pay money to John Mclean Then the
paper showed that the signers had CON-
mItted crime. In addition they would seem
to be fools, for the United States had never
bought a ballot box (he was noe one of
those who thought the United States
should, however, regulate the election of
representatives.. All of these things
should raise question as TO the authority
of the paper. Witness had never heard or
knew of ballot box contract, and never
heard of the Campbell bill before Govern
or Foraker's Music hall speech. Mr. Nc
Leans paper had been uni just and savage
toward witness, but he had no unfriendly
relations with him.
Mr. Halstead called upon witness after
the recantation and witness asked whether
his name was on the paper. MIR. Halstead
hesitatingly replied that he had agreed
with Mr.. Campbell not to say anything
about the papers, After the election wit
ness called upon Mr.. Halstead to make "a
fair statement of the whole matter. Mr.
Halstead, in reply, on November IA said
that he had anticipated his advice and
sent the original for his amusement.
He wrote that he had been under
the impression that witness had signed
the letter. He hoped he had heard the
last Of it but feared he would not for some
time. In conclusion he wrote: Il thought
you might have the curiosity to see the
damned paper" Laughter in which Mr..
Halstead joinedl. Witness never men
toned the paper In the campaign, but it
became an issue between Governor For
aker and Governor Campbell.
In answer to Mr. Turner witness said
that if the signatures on Exhibit 4 were
attached to IL letter OF recommendation
they would not excite suspicion in the
ordinary mind, but if they concerned
draft for 50 900 or ZOO they would It
depended on the character of the paper
Nothing was said about the Daperb Gov
ernor Foraker during their interview on
October a. The governor was then quite
Ill and in bed.
The testimony of Mr.. Bellaynii Story.
CINCINNATI lawyer, was of some interest.
He testified that Governor Foraker had
spoken to him OF what should be put into
the campaign against Mr.. Campbell. The
governor said he had information of
Campbelrs connection with the Hall
Nood ballot box; that there was behind
the bill contract which he expected to
SSe anu bidJ II WOuiu De an important
feature OF the campaign. Wood, he said
had promised TO furnish it, Witness was
doubtful whether the contract could be
made TO appear. Governor Foraker said
W ood was candidate for the Office of
smoke inspector. Witness did not know
w ood. The governor said Wood was an
inventor of ability and an old soldier and
he did not see why he would not make a
good ofhcer. de asked for his opinion
about the appointment. Witness said he |
would not appoint Wood under any cir
cumstances. On September Il the governor
said he had that paper. the ballot /
box contracts furnished him bv Wood. |
W cod was the inventor, he said, aud sec
retary OF the company and the contract /
had come out OF John McLean's safe. /
W ood was party TO the transaction. He /
had gone aud asked for it and got it, The
governor said the paper shocked him; it !
was more than be wanted. 1t had names !.
on 1t, ne said, that witness would not want
TO print and he ttorakerl could do moth 1
ing with IL. he showed the paper TO wit /
ness together with the Campbell bin ard /
contract No. Loco. Witness studied the
papers. The bill seemed mandatory that /
5000 ballot boxes should be purchased AT I
80 eacn- The contract appeared TO be a |
manifest scheme but subtly and ably I
shown.
Mr.. Halstead placed at the disposal Of /
the committee his private letters TO Gov i
ernor Foraker anu said that some Of the,,
were conclusive evidence that both himself I
and the governor were fully convinced of ]
the soundneSs OF the papers.
Consumptives obtain relief by using
Ayers Cherry PectoraI. No other cure is
SO effective. !.