Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-01

t3CuASas S1W MN hO ohNSl
standing was that the money was in pay
to qualify the Republican vote of the
city of Wilmington. There was no
understanding that the money was to
be the personal property of the collec-
tors, but that it was to be payment of
taxes in full at face value. They
wanted money. They begged for $4,000
that day, then for $4,000 and finally
took what we had. / went to Washing
ton on January 9Th and have no per-
sonal knowledge of the lists of names
furnished the collectors. was present,
by engagement, on March 10th, when
the second payment was made. My
recollection Of this occasion agrees with
Mr.. Stewards statement. Of the money,
So, 900 was In gold, which l helped to
count out on the table, and there was a
pile of notes. ! know nothing about
the verification of the lists.n
Mr.. Bach was just leaving the witness
stand when the chairman inquired
whether any other member wished to
ask questions.
Mr.. Bradford-"Oh, in addition, Mr..
Bach, wish it clearly to be understood
oIa )oul otutOhiOAb INV Will ouNC q
great deal of trouble in the future-this
money was raised by the Republican
party for the payment of taxes"
Mr.. Bach-"I personally, didn't pay
dollar of the money. | may say,
though, that when it came to the June
election certain of the men refunded the
money to the Republican committee"
AN UNNECESSARY QUESTION.
United States Marshal Mahaffy was
the next witness sworn. AS the faces of
the investigating attorney and Of the
witness met q pleasant smile shot across
from one to the other.
"Well, marshall p Mr.. Bradford inter.
jected pleasantly, otis hardly necessary
to inquire whether you are member Of
the Republican partyp
"The marshal laughed aloud MS he
replied, ~ guess the Democrats know
me very well |"
The witness testimony was to the
effect that he was present in the post
masters private office when the 81 500
was paid over. Mckee wrote the re-
ceipt and both collectors signed it, 1t
was for the poll taxes of 1890.
~ think" continued the witness,
'you'll find here and there some small
property taxes up to SO and 81. The
Understanding was that 81 500 was on
account. No receipts had been received
on it. The collectors were to furnish
lists of all parties on the duplicates,
Democrat and Republican. who had not
| paid. The list was furnished at tine
suggestion of the collectors. The ex-
PLANTATION was that the Levy Court was
pressing them for money. They must
have money from some direction. The
| Democrats would not help them"
"Bach, Stewart and agreed to pay
for the receipts and did 80. When we
got the lists from the collectors we
marked an r. opposite each Republi-
can. We did not trouble about the
Democrats. This was done by a COM
mittee of five or six from each ward
Then we made copy of the list of Re.
publicans and in that we got our receipts
from the collectors.
"There were two payments of money
paid to the collectors. No money was
paid except in the presence of the five
| No tax receipts were received at the frs
payment. There was no receipt in full
for the cash at second payment as We
then got all the tax receipts.
"rhe total amount represented all the
Republican poll taxes on the duplicates
| 1t was the understanding that these
moneys should be applied to payment Of
taxes in order that the persons be en-
abled to vote There was no intimatior
that this money or any portion of i
should belong to the collector in an in.
diyidual sense or that it was to be done
otherwise with than be accounted for tC
the county, l and Others verified thu
| final list. 1t was an accurate settlement
as far as l know. Both the collector:
told us that the list represented all poll
taxables and come property holders.
didn't verify it by the assessment lis
but took their statement for its correct
ness"
Mr. Bradford-"W marshal, l dom
know there is anything else. Have
missed any pointr
The marshal waited for Mr.. Bradford
to think whether he had any more ques
tons or answers to give.
Mr. Eliason-"Did you look at thu
error listY"
~ never touched it. I was away
until long after the month of March ex
pired. have copy of the original lis
with the RS marked"
Mr.. Bradford suggested that tn,
matter of the lists be postponed unit
to-day. The United States marshall
examination was then postponed to to
day.
MIR. Bradford--"I would wish to sa,
to the committee that Senator Higgins i
not here at my request. He is here nov
to answer any question"
The investigating attorney then So
down as the witness, Senator Higgins
appeared on the stand. The senator ha'
already been sworn.
He sat quietly in his chair, for, TO
the moment, it seemed as if no on
would ask him questions.
Mr.. Eliason then broke the silenc
with the request-"Would the Lev.
Court counsel who is asking the ques
tons PROFOUND the same queries to tn
senator, that is use his list, just as h
has done with the other witnesses ?"
ooh, yes; certainly" responded MI
Bradford as he quickly came to his feet
SENATOR HIGGINS TEsTIFIEs.
Senator Higgins testimony was tina
he "knew nothing of the payment 0
this money-nothing az ALL"
Mr.. Bradford-"Nor of the final pay
?"
"No, not of my personal knowledge.
Mr.. Bradford-"Y did not learn o
this fraudulent work until the 9th o
10th of March 2"
mo"
Mr., Bradford-"It was only when
became the public property of the news
papers that you learned itY"
The senator bowed his head again il
acquiescence TO the series of questions