Evening journal., 1892-10-31

The facts are undeniable the veracity
and competency Of the afiiant are ad-
mitted There is nothing to do but
bring in a verdict
The charge is that Anthony Higgins.
the junior United States senator from
Delaware, visited Laurel on Thursday,
October 10, and met Major Isaac J.
Wootten in the presence OF George f.
Smith, postmaster. and Mrs. Smith,
assistant postmaster, in Smiths parlor at
1880 at night, in pursuance
Of an agreement between the Smiths
and Wootten, and in collusion with
them, attempted to induce Major Woot-
ten to change enough votes in Little
Creek hundred to reduce the Democratic
majority to 200 or less; in payment for
which service, Senator Higgins promised
TO use his influence with President Har-
rison and Secretary Noble to get Woot
ten any place under the government he
wanted outside Of civil service.
Major Wootten swears that Senator
Higgins said.
"Of course I can't tell what third
man will do but Harrison will back me
up, and Noble will stand by mel"
While we were talking, Mrs Smith
who is the wife Of Postmaster Smith
came into the room and said TO me:
"All we want you to do is to be vot-
ers' assistant"
Senator Higgins winked al her and
they got her out Of the room. The
senator then went on talking about gen
eral politics, and said il was his Hmbi-
tion TO show the people that he could
carry this state. He said that IL that
id corner Of Sussex county was cut OF
the rest Of it would be pretty decent
state anyway Then he drifted back 10
general politics and said the Republicans
would carry New York. What he said
was.
ITO use vulgar expression, Dana
got the CUTS Of Tammany, and Dana says
we will carry i'll"
In reply TO our reporters verbal in ter
view the senator denied that he had
made such an offer; that he had any con.
versation with Wootten on the subject
that he had written letter mentioning
the name of Parsons in the Blue Book
Then the reporter asked:
"Were you in Laurel on the evening
of October l8 last2' "Yes, sir
'Did you stay at the house Of Post
master Smith2' "Yes, | stayed at
smiths house.
you did not see Wootten there. you
say2' "No l did not But really, |
must 60 am going to attend Mr..
Thompson's funeral and have not had
lunch yet.
Shortly after this, on Saturday after
noon. having hastily despatched luncl
and left Thompsons funeral to attend
his own, the senator called the same re
porter TO the telephone and implored him
to go with him for the affidavit. Tn,
reporter then asked:
'Did you see Wootten 2" "Yes, | saw
him; but l can't talk over the telephone,
come up here.
"Where did you see him2' 81 saw hin
at Mr.. Smiths house-but | won't tall
any longer over the phone"
Subsequent to the above, in writer
confession sent to the press on Saturda,
night, Senator Higgins says;
In respect TO the statements printed il
the EVENING JOURNAL, of this city, TO
day, as coming from one Isaac j. WOot
ten, of Laurel Del, l have TO say tina
about tso weeks ago, while | was a
Laurel to consult party leaders ther
about party matters Wootten called OF
me at the house Of George Il. Smith, in
forming me that he desired TO chang
his political connections and to solici
an Office under the government.
After denying various details whic
are explained above by the wink to AS
sistant Smith, the senator continues;
Subsequently. Mr.. Smith wrote TO m
10 know II Wootten could have plaC
in the Land Office held by one Gus Pa
snos, and | replied that | could find n
such persons name in the Blue Book, bu
only one John A. Parsons.
The Inconsistencies of Senator Higgins
replies and confessions impeach h
veracity. He could not have told ii
truth in these various diverse interview
If his written confession that Wootte
called saying that "he desired to chang
his political connections and to solic
an office be true
, Meantime he says Of Major Wootte
, Having understood him to be a man
p influence and good standing, told him
j. thought an Office could be had for him
thus giving him a character and confe
e sing that an Office was in contemplate
= for him.
y There seems to be no escape from {
4 conclusions that Senator Higgins kn'
b. precisely what Major Wootten, an inf
y ential Democrat, was expected to d
what Smith had said he would do; a
that the Senator was not only privy
IS the offer OF bribe of a government off
N to induce him TO commit frauds at
D. election, but that he was in collusi
IN with the Smiths for that purpose a
50 actually mentioned the bribe. That
ID used his acquaintance and relations wi
as President Harrison and Secretary No
te to influence the intended victim Of
ID corruption to believe that he was able
=. carr his promises into effect
g.. |
he POLITICAL NOTES.