The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-01-19
The Ohio Governor Finishes His
Story About the Ballot Box
Forgery Case.
The Fire Eaters Narrative Does
Not Coincide With That Of
Witness Wood.
lie says the Governor Knew ne Nas in
Dirty business, but He Wanted
ButterwoTth.

aker resumed his statement before the
house committee in the bnllot-box fraud
to-day, On cTOss-eGamination Foraker
said he had been on friendly relations with
Senator Sherman last summer, and IN faci
had never been on any other terms with
him. that he knew OF. lie did not know
senator sherman was IN this country when
be got the forged paper. lie had moi men.
toned the paper 10 Mckinley or Butter-
worth. His relations had always been pleas
ant with the former, and with the latter up
10 the time of his witness nomination.
Witness had no suspicion IA TO Woods in
teprlty. Grosyenor asked If witness did not
think II strange that nfter Wood said he
had the paper, Auc. IL. he should have
bafled witness so and delayed its produc-
iion so long. Witness did not think he was
bafied, and attributed Woods delay 10
reluctance 10 give up tho paper Wit
ness somehow GOT the impression that il
was in McLean's custody, Grosvenor
asked If he supposed Mclean would wiling
ly give up paper that would iniure Camp
was Woods business. lie had not nj the
time the slightest doubt of the genuineness
of Mchinley's, or, indeed. OF any Of the sig
natures. Grosyenor asked if Gov. Camp
bell. before the campaign, had not borne
good reputation. Witness replied he did
not know him until he was nominated: from
that moment he heard no end of stories
about him. and ended by getting bad opin-
ion Of him. Grosvenor asked IL he was
not surprised 10 see that Senator
sherman had signed such papers. Witness
replied his mind had been SO prepared. after
believing Mckinley and Buiterworih had
signed II. that he might as well believe
Sherman had signed IL; for he had as good
"a nniniaf af cham nt uu,rh.A,r
Grosycnor asked why witness had not COM
municated with some Of the persons whose
names we're on the paper before taking
further steps. He replied that when he got
tho paper sherman and ButtcrwOrth we're
beyond the ocean, and he had not
time 20 communicate with them.
He was in the midst Of
a campaign making speeches. As for Nc
kinley. he did not know whnt he might
have done il he had retained possession of
the paper TO make any use Of il; but his
signature seemed 80 conclusive he had no
doubt about IL. II would seem rather in
delicnte TO 90 10 man yon believe guilty
and talk about the matter. He could be
expected 10 deny his guilt, of course and
then, too, before he got through with il he
hnd found n man (IIalstead) who knew jus,
what 10 do with the papers.
Witness had told Wood be did NOT know
what 10 do with the papers. Witness said
Campbell had charged that he twitness)
was interested in the ballot box matter, and
referring 20 witness statement about n
million dollars OF trust money in the bill
for somebody, had said nobody but an in
famous scoundrel would make such state
ment. Witness read that speech on his way
10 the hall at Marietta, where he was 70
speak that night and felt himself compelled
70 make answer. Thcreupon. for the
first time, and only time in the
campaign. he referred 10 the paper. He
said inasmuch az the matter hhd been made
public. he bad seen those papers. and in
his judgment Campbell never would deny
that signature. He was satisfied Of that.
not only because of the faith he had in the
signature, but because of Campbell's
speech which read like very C, nfesson of
guilt. He (Campbell) did not deny his
signature, saying he could not do 50 until
he got some other documents. Grosvenor
nsked if before that time witness had seen
Senator Sherman's published denial, and
witness said probnbly he had not seen II.
William j.. Walters Of Utica. Michigan.
was sworn, and said be met Wood in WASH
ington in September, and az his request had
procured for him copy OF the ballot box
bill introd ced in the house by Campbell of
Ohio. Wood was very anxious 20 find
page who had an autograph album to sell.
He could not find one, but witness finally
Dnanaged 10 secure for Wood the autographs
T, ! several conggessmen and senator's In-
Guiding those of Butterworth Mckinley and
John sherman Wood had told witness he
wanted autographs just 10 put Mt the foot Of
photographs, and then TO compare with
names en- contract, or. as Wood termed it,
a land deal
Richard G. Wood was then sworn. He
gave his residence as Cincinnati. and his
occupation as mechanical expert. The
chairman handed witness exhibit A. and
asked him il he had ever seen IL before.
Witness recognized the document. He first
saw il before the election. he thought 10
October. He had got the heading drawn in
General Birney's office. this city. The
names we're written on the pnper in Cncin.
natl by Mr.. Wilward. A Young mnn named
Davis wrote the lines opposite the sigma
lures. This work was done in the Office of
Murray, who is patent solicitor for the
ballot box company.
Chairman--Are those names written here
intended 10 be fac-similos OF the gentle
mems autopraphsf
Wtness-Tbey were written according TO
pieces Of paper ] had secured. Witness
gave a humorous account of his attempts
10 be appointed smoke Inspector. He had
seen Gov. Foraker and the latter told him
he could get him the place if II were not
pledged. The governor said he wanted wit
ness 10 do little hustling for favor for
him. Witness asked what be could do, and
Foraker said there WIS little
document down in Butterworth's Office
and be wanted witness 10 get II,
and let him see il. Witness could not inn
agine what document he meant, and asked
him. The governor replied; do you see
what ButttIworth is doing for the ropubl-
can party" Witness replied he noticed that
Butterworth wns acting peculiarly, and
seemed to be rather posing ior the Cincin-
natl Enquirer. The governor had eaid
Dutterworth Was making all kinds OF stab
bing talk, and said II ButterwUrth wanted
him 10 dowE him as disrepntable, be would
show ButteiwOTth 20 be disieputnble.
Foraker had said: you know II IS
common talk that Butterworth is
in every mOneycd scheme Witness
had agreed with the Governor and
said If stsbbinR business WAS going on, be
guessed they could stab too. Witness then
gave a long description of his attempts 10
see the governor III relation 10 his appoint
ment, and created burst Of laughter by a
chance allusi1n 10 President Harrison Hs
"Oh, what's bis.nsme." Wood admitted
getting up the paper and said that the'goy-
ernor did not ask amy questions. Witness
had said IL was the best he could do, and 10
would do 90 bluff these fellows. The
governor promised not 20 have the
pspeT published. About ten days
before the publication he me, the governor
coming out OF the Commerciel Gazette
office, and Foraker said be had been 70 see
Hnlstead and that the hitter was going 10
show up those fellows. Witness had said
the paper was not gotten up for such p0r-
pose, and told the governor not 10 show
that man these papers. Foraker replied;
Not for the world" After the publication
make an affidavit they were forgeries, II