The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-19

NAr hal Nd1
three times seven. and should vote as l
pleased. .h..
Mr. Tredway: And you considered that
con we're perfectly free TO vote as you
chose?
Mr.. thompson: Certainly.
Mr. Tredway: DO you know under
what circumstance the county chairman
received his part Of this money!
Mr.. Thompson: No, sir. L was not
,bere when ne received IL.
Mr. Tredway: Did you know OF any
pledge on his part?
Mr.. Thompson: No, sir.
Mr.. Tredway: You are acquainted with
DR.. Martin. OF that county?
Mr.. Thompson: oh! yes.
Mr.. Tredway: Is he a man OF high
character?
MIR. Thompson: one Of the best men
in our part Of the State. as good a man
as the state Of Virginia has.
Mr.. Green: Was that s2i received for
the expenses Of the election?
Mr.. Thompson: Yes. sir.
Mr.. Boykin: You did not consider that
you were pledged TO vote for any par
~ticular marty for the United States Sem
ate on account OF thls hiohey DelhS sent
to your county?
Mr. Thompson: Certainly. because l
did not consider that I had made any
promises.
Mr.. Nico,: understood you to say
that you regarded 1t as a bid.
Mr.. Thompson: ] did not consider that
I had given any grounds, as ] simply
said that l was favorably inclined upon
the first mans recommendation.
Mr.. Downing: Is the county chairman
of Patrick county related 10 DR.. Martin,
or connected with him?
Mr.. Thompson: Not that / know OF.
He is i'm business with him, but II there
is any relationship L do not know Of
il.
Mr.. Downing: There is a business con-
nection between them?
Mr.. Thompson: Oh, yes, they are part
ners in business.
An Indirect Bid.
Mr.. Green: l understand you to say
that you regarded this as a bid to vote
for Martin, and that influenced you to
vote for General Lee.
Mr.. Thompson: l said that l regarded
it as an indirect bid. That was one
reason, but my prime reason was that
my constituents were for General Lee
an overwhelming majority.
Mr.. Downing: Mr.. Thompson, who dld
you say made this proposition to you?
Mr.. Thompson: Which propOsitionY
Mr.. Downing: The proposition that
500 would be sent you?
Mr.. Thompson: Didn't anyone make
that proposition.
Mr.. Downing: Wei. that the money
would be furnished'you?
Mr.. thompson: DR.. Martin said that
he thought it would be sent.
Mr.. Downing: DO you believe that Or.
Martin would make an indirect PROPOSE
ton TO you of that kind to influence
your vote?
Mr.. Thompson: No. sir. He said that
he thought we could get some money
for our county.
Mr.. Cooke: Was DR.. Martin the one
who wrote the first letter?
MIR. Thompson: No, sir.
Mr.. Cooke: Who was that?
Mr.. Thompson: That was Claude Swan
son. He was kin TO Mr.. Martin, ana
gave him a very high name.
Mr.. Cooke: There was no bid in that
letter?
Cav paign Purposes.
Mr.. THOMPSON: No. sir. He made a
statement of this kind in IT: He said
he thought he could secure some money
for campaign purposes.
Mr.. Cooke. Upon condition that you
would vote for Martin?
MIR. Thompson: No. sir. No condition
at all about II. In answer TO that letter
I told him that / was somewhat FAVOR
ably inclined upon his recommendation,
and would give his man due considera-
ton.
MIR Nicol. Where is that letter?
Mr.. Thompson: J don't know whether
I have that letter or not.
Mr.. Nicol: IT is your duty to file the
letter If you have it.
Mr.. THOMPSON: l don't know where
that letter Is. 1t may be at my nome
i'm Patrick county. or / may nave oIoushI
IT with me, or I may have destroyed
It. p.,ss,
Mr.. Nicol: The letter from Or. Priddy
I understand YOU to say was DESTROYED:
Mr.. Thompson: Yes, sir, l destroyer uha''
/ am pretty certain
Mr.. Boykin: Mr.. Thompson, uhders'iHi
YOU TO say that you accepted the hon'y
which was sent to you for cathpalsh
rurnoses-which was sent to your county
as an indirect bid for your Vote' am 1
correct?
Mr.. Thompson; We'll L IebdiueN "
what as such.
Mr.. Boykin: And you accepted 1t undsr
those circumstances?
Mr.. Thompson: 1t was sent there ana
nut in TIE hands Of the county chalrSilh'
and he sent the money TO me.
Mr.. Boykin: You accepted II under 'hose
circumstances YOU have detailed, regard
inc il as an indirect bid for your vote.
MIR. Thompson: ] don't know hat re-
earded il as an indirect bid at the time
but since studying over il l have come
to that conclusion.
Mr.. Boykin: Then you did not regard
IL as an indirect bid at the time, but since
looking at il you have.
Mr.. Thompson: We'll, that is something
like the case.
MIR. Boykin: When did you arrive at
that conclusion?
MIR. Thompson. ] don't know that
know when, but by degrees l came to that
conclusion.
Mr. Boykin: When you accepted It, you
did not consider 1t so?
Mr.. Thompson: No, sir, I don't think
l did.
Mr.. Boykin: But afterwards you did?
MIR. thompson: Yes.
Mr.. Boykin: Cannot you say when that
change in your mind took place; was II
before or after your arrival in Richmond
Mr.. Thompson: l don't know that you
can say any particular change. 1 just
settled to that conclusion.
Mr.. Boykin: When did you settle 10
that conclusion?
Mr.. Thompson: 1 don't know when, ex-
actly.
Mr.. Boykin: Was it before or after
your arrival in Richmond?
After lie Got Here.
Mr.. Thompson: l did not come 10 any
definite conclusion until after 1 got 10
Richmond.
AIR. Boykin: Was 1t suggested to you
that it was an indirect proposition2
Mr.. Thompson. No, sir, not until after
/ had come TO that conclusion.
Mr.. BOykin. And after YOU had come