St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-05

''Where money was offered so freely
II would be strange ii there were not
found some who were willing to accept
it," WAS a remark made by 4 member OF
the senate yesterday, when he had fin
ished reading the report Of the commit
Tee appointed two years ago TO investi-
gate the charges Of bribery in connec-
ton with the Republican caucus that
named Gen. w. d. Washburn for the
United States senate over ex-senator
Sabn. This report. as made public yes
terday, Is filled with more than rumOrs.
A. the friends of Gen. Washburn have
all along asserted. and fully sustains
Senator nonnelly in his demands for
its publication. Ii viii take deal of
explanation TO persuade The people of
the state who read II mat corrupt
methods were not used in She senatorial
election of 1889.
The committee were appointed to in
Nestigatc the charges Of bribery in con
nection with that memorable caucus.
The senate committee was made up of
MesSrs. " ard, Pope and Edwards, ana
the house committee consisted of
MessrS SeVaiSOn, Hompe, StebbinS,
Searlcs, +. {. Stevens. Diment and
John Day Smith. The first meeting Of
The house committee was held Jan. 21
1880, at which, before doing anything.
the following resolution, presented by
Hon. John Day Smith, was adopted:
Resolved That ia the course of this in
HCstiPatiOn. If amy person i accused OF nav
ing used. or cn0caY0ICd 10 use corrupt
means 10 influence members Ia vote for or
against any OF the candidates baloted for at
Ihe caucu@ for nomination OF nited states
senator oil the Ith INST. such person SO
accused shall bc summoned before this COM
Mittec TO testify.
Knew OF All Attempt.
Hon. f. J.. lIoppin. a representative
from Mower county. was the first man
10 be examined by the committee. MIR.
lOppin knew Of an attempt being made
10 bride 4 member. and knew 1t pretty
well. too as lie WAS the man. But here
Is his version of the affair:
know of an attempt to corrupt q member
of the legislature 10 secure his vote for one
OF the candidates for niled States senator
before the late caucIs-the day before.
WaS that member II occurred At room 1J2.
Merchants hotel. in This city. | was APP
preached by man who was introduced to
me by the name OF Thompson. 1t was about
o'clock of ihat day There was considerable
previous talk Of not much account. He re
pucsted Il private interview and asked where
we could go and said if there was no other
there. lie said 10 me: If Won viii 90 into
the caucuS tomorrow night and cast q secret
ballot for ". j.. Weshbum ! will give you
=! jpu spot cash and 500 after the caucus is
over He said he had no authority from
amy ono 10 make that offer. He did not state
how hc was interested. / told him he had
struck the Wrong Wan
and had made u bad mistake. He Gid nol in
tmae where The money Was coming from
ami did not show any money. Cannot tell
i. L..
first name. He was introduced as being
man from ST. Paul. ] Can give Il description
he = tall. slim !nan; wears heavy mus
tache | think. without WhiSkerS: was a little
lame; wore low sOuch haU and mink coat;
was in the room about five minutes At the
time we broke he asked me not TO sell ont be-
fore he had Il chance 10 see mc again. lie
said Nc wanted Il little chance TO confer
hours after at corner of jackson and Fourth
streets the same day | think Subject was
again taken mp. lie took hold Of my shOnl-
tier ana pulled me 10 one SIDE. He said Il
nave been dispensing Doodle here i'll every
election for years, ana ] never was so let
down q ! have been TO-DAY by a Mower county
man. ] sad is that 50, what j. the matter
now: He said a Mower county man came 10
me day or two ago ana said that he was
acquainted with that man Hoppin from
Mower county and he could be induced To
vote for WaShburn and can be handled all
right for 500. Thompson says: Il gave him
500. lie came back 4 second time and told
me hC could not quite fetch him OHoppml
for 500 but Tor 500 he could get him 10 vote
for WashbUIn. / gave him another 500 He
came again ana sand. J have got him ali right
lie has promised 10 vote for Washhurn &"
Thompson SAID he 1nen gave him
81 as his service Ion working me I said 10
Mr.. Thompson, You arc badly let down; he
never said senator 10 me | asked him who
the man was and he said he did not wish 10
give names. said. perhaps | can guess
Did Ac have long. black whiskers:" lie said
Yes sir. | said, Are the initials of his
name Clarence WARREN: and he said You
arc good nj guessing. declined 10 answer
Tor whom VOtcd. Vt the time of these in
tcrviews had never told any man that he
could have my vote.
ThonpS0D'> Testimony.
Mr.. Hoppn further stated that he
was neither opposing nor supporting
gen. Washburp. lie had seen Mr. Sabin
and talked to all the candidates. Pur-
suant 10 the Smith resolution Edw;H :.
Thompson was day or tNu later called.
rs Il was supposed that lie was the
gentleman referred 10 by the Mower
county legislator.
Mi. Thompson proved TO be the man
and knew Mr.. Iloppin-'had met him.:
lie knew Of no offers OF money being
made to any one 10 vote for Mi Wash
DuTn ana positively denied Nj. Honpin's
statements. MI Iloppin had never iold
him that he had struck the wrong