The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-01-23
AWAY BACK OF DUDLEY.
THE BLOCKS -OEFVE" CAMPAIGN
MANA GED BY HARRISON HIMSELF.
DID THE PRESIDENT SANCTION
BUYING VOTES I'M lsss2


REPUBLICAN TESTIMONY CLOSELY CONNECT
ING HIS NAME WITH THE QUESTIONABLE
METHODS REsoRTED TO IN INDIANA
THREE YEARS AGo-EvERY MAN WHO
RECEIVED A BLOCKS OF FIVE" LETTER
ALSO RECEIVED FAT OFFICE.
Special to the New York World.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Jan. 1.-THE Daily
Sentinel publishes tomorrow morning some
interesting statements regarding the active
part taken by President Harrison, Attor-
ney-General Miller and other prominent
republicans in the canvass of 1888, They
were made by gentlemen whom the Senti-
mel editorially indorses as republicans of
influence, lawyers of large practice and of
the best position at the bar The follow
ing are extracts from long resume
"Dudley wrote the 'blocks-of.five' letter,
it is true; but he never touched dollar of
the money raised to convert tloaters to Har-
rison. He mapped out the campaign aud
indicated where the money could be had
Can President Harrison and Attorney
General Miller say as much? They would
not dare to say upon oath that corruption
money did not touch their fingers, for there
are too many people living in this state
attended personally to the distribution OF
the money 10 the various counties.
"Mr. Miller HIMSELF continued The
Sentinel's informant, "handed the allot-
ment to the representative from my county.
| was present at the time. In one instance,
am told, there was disagreement as to
the amount certain county should receive,
and Mr.. Harrison settled the matter.
was not the chairman of my county, nor
did the chairman have anything TO do with
the financial part of the campaign.
"The Harrison people did not trust him
on account of his Gresham proclivties.
The secretary of the committee was an
elder in his church, a man Of the Harrison
type on a small scale, who held family
prayers and believed that it was his duty
to his god and country to beat the demo-
Icratic party even by buying votes. Under
Arthurs administration Senator Harrison
bad him appointed to minor Federal Office.
He was willing to do anything for Harrison.
He was the only member Of the county
committee entrusted with the secrets of
the campaign. 1 myself and two other
outsiders, together with the secretary, con-
stituted what you might call 'junta.'
Dudley addressed all his correspon-
dence to the secretary. saw every let
ter and telegram that Dudley sent to our
lcOunty."
"Was there a 'blocks-of five letter re-
ceived in your county," was asked.
to received one. When he was subpenaed
before the grand jury to testify in this
matter he came to me for advice. | came
with him to indianapolis two hours be
fore he took the witness stand, where he
testified under oath that he had never re-
oeived one. He burned the letter up on
my advice. l advised him to tell the
truth about the matter, and, having no
letter in his possession, of course he
could not swear that the letter he re-
ceived was identical with the one in the
possession of the grand jury. However,
iust before going to the Federal court he
met some one in the New Denison hotel
who told him if he testified that he had
received 'blocks-of.flve' letter he would
never receive an appointment from Mr..
Harrison. He didn't get as big an Office
as he expected, but he has been well
taken care of.
''By the way" went on the informant,
"every man who received a blocks-of-
live letter is in Office to day, from Smiley
IF. Chambers, the present United States
ldistrict attorney, down to Sam Kercheval.
All during the campaign of 1888 Benja'
min Harrison counselled regarding the
use of money at the election with men
who afterward went out and bought or
superintended the getting of votes.
Moreover, Mr.. Harrison, through his
agents, supplied men with the money
with which they made the purchase.
For instance, Matt Hill, chairman of the
republican committee in Monroe county
and Joseph G. McPheeters of the same
lcoupty came to Indianapolis during the
loampaiQn of 1883 and saw General Harri-
son and Michener. Hill told them his
plans of operation in his county, and the
Iamount of money he would need to put
it through, buying votes, etc. Harrison
land Michener were satisfied and said Hill
should have the money, and it was given
him. Just before he received it, how
ever: Harrison left the room, saying it
might be as we'll if he was not present
when the money was paid.
"After the election a number of men In
Monroe County who had been lnnuenced
by the money obtained by Hill, and some
lwho had aided him in his management,
were indicted by the Federal Grand Jury.
Hill then came to indianapolis, and again
met Harrison and Michener and told them
what had occurred, and demanded that
something be done.
"They both said they did not understand
that Hill had obtained the money to be
used improperly. Hill became angry and
told Harrison and Micherner that 1t would
not do, that he had fully informed them OF
his plans and, etc. Michener then said;
We will see what can be done There
upon Hill said TO Michener If these
prosecutions are pressed the defendants
and myself will go to the peuitentiary. II
can't be avoided, and if / 60 to Jefferson
vile. you will have to 60 there, too, instead
of going to Washington
"At the close Of the campaign of 1885
~ u T. 1waA In