The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-03
A LEGAL FARCE.
Resumption of the Contested
Election Cases.
Time and Money Wasted, but Little Test
mony Observation-Disclosures Who Saw
Votes Paid For

The taking of testimony in the Murphy
Mahoney Senatorial contest was resumed
yesterday morning before Justices Stafford
and Murasky.
The first witness called was Alexander
Briggans, member of the Democratic
County Committee. who testified that he
was In the vicinity of the Lindel House on
election day. and that, understanding from
John Dougherty, Chairman of the Demo-
cratic County Committee, that votes were
being bought there by the Republicans. he
went In to investigate. He found the place
IN the possession of Mahoney's adherents,
who would not allow Murphy men to enter.
There was bar-room there under the
charge OF man named Kenck. friend of
Mahoney. who dispensed Republican
WHISKY to Mahoney voters only. He saw
quite number of men come out of there
Win folded tickets in their hands. John
Connor was there, and seemed to be a
ieauer' Most OF the men talked to him from
tline TO time, seemingly getting instructions.
uld not see him pay out any money
On cross-examlnation the witness adj
mitted some acquaintance with the pugilistic
art and suggested that it was probably on
that account the Republicans did not inter
fere with him.
David Mack testified that he tried to en-
ter the Lindeli House on election day, but
was prevented by a man named Dutch
Charley. He eventually succeeded in get
ting within the doors by side entrance,
and saw that it was Republican head
quarters. John O'Connor was there, but
did not see him buy votes. Money was used
by some one, however, as, when he asked
the parties to vote the Democratic ticket,
on coming out, they all replied: mot much,
as long as there is $40 in voting the Repub-
lican ticket"
Under cross-eXamination the witness
claimed to have seen money paid for votes
in the Lindell House, and around the polls,
but when Attorney kOwalski followed him
up with some searching inquiries his men,
DRY as 10 times, places and people went to
pieces.
Casslus Blackm an, friend of the SEN
ator-elect, who happened to be in court as
spectator, was then called to the stand, and
alter some demur on his part was sworn.
lie admitted knowing Mahoney, but de-
cllned to say If he managed his campaign,
paid out money in mis- interest, purchased
votes Tor him, or that he knew Crimmlns,
Kelly or Burns. He denied that he stuffed
the district or asked any one to vote for Ma
honey.
Pit Merino, another surprised spectator,
on being sworn testified that he knew Ma
honey for about year, and had called on
him with friend about four months ago.
Mahoney did not give him or his friend any
money on that occasion. He declined TO tell
his friends name, what his business was
with Mahoney, or whether he stuffed lodg-
ing houses in his interest He is clerk in
the Registrars Office, but would not say if
MahOney secured that position for him.
After recess II. L KOwalsky, greatly to
his surprise, was put upon the stand by At
torney Clunie. He admitted knowing Ma
honey Tor about six months before he got
the nomination aud bowed his acknowledge
ments to the statement that he was some
thlng Oh politician himself, as well as 4
lawyer. lie did not know, however, that
there were any leaders or bosses in the Re-
publican party, and to the direct question
whether CrImmias, Stow, Kelly and others
were not party bosses answered, eyasiyely
that he had never heard them so called by
any one in authority. Nor did he know the
fact that any man or set of men controlled
the patronage of the Offices. When he first
spoke to Mahoney on the matter Of his
nomination he told him he didn't think he
could be elected in that district, but Maho-
ney replied that he could, as Murphy was
very unpopular. Witness claimed not to
know w. W. Stow. He never met him.
Never knew he represented Leland
in. Mahoney's behalf, but may have
mentioned Mahoney's name to Kelly
Mahoney was solid in his district and Sc
cured his nomination by capturing the dele
gates. During the campaign Mahoney was
very blue about the prospects of his cleo
ton, as he had only 700 or 500 to work on.
Don't know that he got money from Stan
ford; never heard Mahoney say he did. He
did get money from some of his personal
friends. The only attempt at purchasing
votes that cams under his observation was
in front of the Hackmeier House on cleo
ton day, when man named Wallace told
him that Theodore MetZler had SIS TO in
huence voters with, in Murphy's interest.
AT this stage OF the proceedings, no other
witnesses being present, the hearing of tes-
timopy in the contested case of Brown VS..
DAILY from the Twenty-ninth Assembly Dis
tTiet, was begun. Thomas Butler. a farm
hand from Solano County, testified that he
was in the city on election day, and saw
money paid for votes in the Fifth and Sixth
precincts of the Twenty -ninth District. He
did not know any of the parties.
On cross-eXaminaton he admitted that he
was an old friend and SchoOlmate of Brown,
and came to testify without a subpoena The
Republican workers at the polls took the
men he spoke OF by the arm, gave them
folded tickets, led them to the ballot-boX.
and coming away gave them money. He
did not know what the money was for, but
supposed it was for their votes.
William Murray. resident of Mission
street, between First and Second streets,
testified to similar state of facts in his
precinct, but though lie had lived in that pre-
cinct all his life he could not say who paid
or received the money. After a lengthy
croSs-eXamination, in which nothing material
was brought out, the court adjourned till
this afternoon.