The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17

EllySOnB knowledge, ana lndl III iiiu'S
got money directly from b. Thompson,
OF which Ellyson knew nothing I'LL next
day. | saw letter from Priddy to Cen
eral Lee. IN which he said that II was
largely through desire 10 vote for him
that he consented 20 become a candidate,
and ne voted for Martin. Niles Martin
can tell all about this case.
Summon Ellyson 10 give correspondence
with Meredith.
q. V. Meredith.
AT this point. member Of the COM
mittee expressed the desire TO question
Mr.. c. V. Meredith. The latter gentle
man, who was in the hall at the time.
said that he had an important engage
ment to fill. which would necessitate
his leaving on the 2 p NJ. train, and, II
the committee wished TO call him. he
would be glad II they would do so inn
mediately Mr.. Meredith then took the
stand.
Mr. Wood: Do you know Of your own
knowledge OF any improper use OF money
during the campaign
MT Meredith: What do you mean by
OF my own knowledge? Let me under
stand you on this point II YOU mean
whether 1 know the names Of the parties
who were interested in il, so that you
can get at It. | can answer that l can
/ can give you information In such way
that you can get at II. | can give you
the name OF party. who can say what
the railroads gave and 7 can give you
the name of a party who can tell how
much the Executive Committee received,
and YOU can get az the amount that
was spent in an irregular manner.
Mr.. Tredway: Mr.. Meredith, do you
know how this money was used2
Mr.. Meredith: Mr. Tredway, II you
want circumstantial evidence you can
get It. You cannot get direct evidence
from me. They did not let me see them
hand this money over: You certainly
can't think they did not have any better
sense than that. / can tell you what
T know about il so that you can ind
out: and the people want TO know who
ga this thing
Mr.. Mushbach: I move that Mr.. Mere
dith be allowed to give that informa-
tion.
Mr. Downing: Let me ask Mr. Mere,
dith a question?
Mr. Meredith I can give you the name
Of a witness who can tell you how much
| the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad gave
and I can give you the name Of a Wit
ness who
without the Scope.
Mr.. Wood Mr. Chairman. 7 don't
think that is within the scope Of our
/ Investigation.
Mr.. Nicol. The question seems 10 be
whether we shall allow Mr.. Meredith to
| answer these questions. It is for the
! committee 10 say whether we want 10
| hear that evidence or not
Mr.. Downing. Arc you convinced that an
/ improper use had been made Of this
/ money!
/ MIR Meredith. I am. sir I say that
/ when "a railroad distributes money, and
/ does not let the chairman OF the party
| distribute it. that it does it for an lmpro-
/ per purpose
Mr. Boykln: Were you a member of the
| State Executive Committee?
Mr. Meredith: ! was. sir; and do not
| think that the Democratic party viii be
I hurt by this investigation.
Mr.. Mushbach Ny idea Is that we are
| here for the purpose Of finding out some
/ thing or nothing II AIR Meredith can
put us on the line OF getting any informa-
! lion. ! think he ought TO be allowed 60
do n. and that he ought not 20 be choked
! off by asking him whether he knows II
of his own personal knowledge or not
Mr.. Tredway: The question is whether
| this money was improperly used 10 con-
tr9l the election Of United states sena.
: tor. ami nor tbe Distributes of money
generally
Personal Observation.
Mr.. Meredith: Might l make personal
| observation?
Mir. Nicoi 0he chairmaD: Go ahead
| Mr.. Meredith.
Mr. Meredith: Mr.. Boykin asked me
whether [ was a member Of the state
Executive Committee. | presume wha'
he intended by it was whether | was mere
TO give the secrets of the party | SAID
I'm 1901 that if this thing were done
would not go on the committee. ~.
not propose 10 serve on any comhltI''
that allows the railroads TO distribute
the funds.
Mr. Nicoi: The question IS on Senator
Mushbach's motion 10 allow Mr.. Mere
dth 10 make his statement
Mr. Boyhn: 1 do not understand th'
motion Of Mr.. Mushbach IL II Is pro
posed TO ascertain from what sources ll'
money was obtained for the Democratic
partv I am opposed 20 IT, But If they
introduce testimony to rshow that tnA
money was expended to influence tle N1''
for senator. then ] think IL Is adm 7lpie
but otherwise nOt. Let me mouon p'
,.trc,,lsoribed 10 embrace on4 or tie othel
of these things. but not 10 ma oIl VIZ.
and bv whom the money was contribute
unless IL is shown that 10 Was used %
influence or attempt 90 influence, some
member OF these houses % vote lmpro
pery. ,.,s rsis
Mr. NIushbach: That money was I"i9
GA from certain sources 20 be used Tor Ger
tain purposes. We are here % lhFes''5".
those purposes. not where the none
.or,e from but was the money raise
Cor the benefit OF the DemCcr ne party
I and was it used for the beneht on am
| candidate OF that party. That is "hat
Fare here for
Nr. Boykln: wish It understood una
Ar onv man saws that the money was ds
,ributed By any one IN me inter leass -. y
MIR Martin, then let him come FORWARD
ana let il have the effect that 81 Is le
gifimatey entitled TO- but j am unaltei
obIv opposed TO any men being called upo
to account Tor the sources from Whlc
the money was received or now IL wa
| tietribufed unless II vas used 10 li
r,,ence some member But II IL was, De-
it come forth. and Bet it hit where II may
Mr. Meredith. In the hrst place IN
gentleman there Mr. Royal can sho'
the intimate relation between Nh bai
bour Thompson and Mr.. Martin IN ial
road matters. -. ,.,..,.
Mr.. Tredway: Are you gong 70 afsu
or are you going To give VS. FACTS
A. Meredith. | gave YOU the name
Witness. and did not argue point.
Mr.. Nicol: / say take the sense
the committee on this Would Il not !
the quickest way to let Mr. Meredit
make his statement Whatever IS NJ
, legal testimony We can dismiss.
Nr wood. Let Mr.. Meredith give II
names OF his witnesses
Mr. Nicol: The question OF Mr. Musl
bach. Mr. Meredith, is this: DO you kno
v-hether any money was improperly us'
In the interests OF any candidate
Moral Conyic ion.
Mr.. Meredith: 7 can give you sue
facts as amount. in my mind 20 a NOR