The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-21
THEIR WORK IS ENDED.
AND gHE IxyssfIGArORs cE<Ax 10
INVESTIGATE.
A Nsmbsr of witnesses Were Examined
Yesterday and Thea Their Report Was
Prepared for the Legislature.

statesmen when they met for the ma
session OF that committee yesterday
morning The aIacrity with which
Chairman NicoI put the motion that
the investigation be closed, and the
relieved expressions Of the members
faces when they retired at II O'Clock
20 prepare their report for pres
entatlon 10 the Senate, were noteworthy
The Chairman opened proceedings by
reading the following sworn statement
Of Mr. Decatur Axtell:
Richmond. Va. Dec. 10. 1888
Hon. G. r. Nicol. Chairman. City:
Dear Sir.--I received telegram yester-
day evening. at the Holland House.
New York. advising me that I would
be expected 20 appear before your
committee. or 10 submit statement
fn reference to the matters now un-
der investigation. My trip TO New
York was 10 attend meeting Of
the Board Of Directors OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. called some days ago,
at which my personal attendance was
necessary. came 20 the city to-day
for the purpose Of appearing before your
committee. but not having had an oppor-
tunity TO do so. and being obliged to
leave the city this evening on important
business OF the railroad company, | beg
leave 10 submit the following statement,
which / shall be glad to follow with any
statement OF information that may be
required.
/ find in the proceedings as reported in
the morning papers. a list of subjects for
investigation, furnished your committee
by General Fitzhugh Lee. the seventh
subject reading as follows:
"Mr. Decatur Axtell OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway. will testify that after
the election, when told by me that Mr..
Thompson had only turned over $4,000
above mentioned. he expressed great sur
prise and indignation. and said that ii
was the clear understanding that all the
money should go to and be spent by Mr..
j. Taylor Ellyson. chairman"
Mr.. Thompson was known TO be in
daily communication with the Chairman
of the Democratic Committee; that they
were acting i'm close concert. and no spe-
cihc direstions as TO disposition OF funds
were given 10 either. so far as / know, eX-
cept as stated hereafter. I never had
any such understanding with the Rich
mond and Danvile officials as that men
toned by General Lee. The General en-
tirely misapprehended me at the inter-
view mentioned. He made against Mr.
Thompson the grave charge that. instead
interest OF the Democratic party general
ly. In the campaign, he had, himself, dis
tributed considerable part Of such
funds to candidates or their friends, for
the direct purpose Of influencing them TO
vote for MIR. Martin. / was greatly sur
prised 10 hear any such charges from
such source. and I so expressed myself,
] could not but believe that the General
was mistaken
| did not hesitate TO express my thor
ough condemnation of any such wrongful
acts The Generals remarks were con-
finuous. and my surprise was at that
part Of them charging the use Of money
10 secure votes | need scarcely say that
j Immediately made inquiries, but failed
10 learn any facts which would support
such charges J had no reason TO think
she confidence reposed in Mr.. Thompson
had been abused: have none now.
IL Is proper. also. TO say that all contri-
buttons from any source made VITA my
knowledge have been made with the dis
tinct understanding that they were 10
promote the advancement OF the general
interests OF the Democratic party, and
should not be used IN any case for the
purpose OF influencing or advancing the
interests of any senatorial candidate, or
any one seeking any office whatever at
{he hands of the Legislature. This pur-
pose was made known 10 General Lee, at
The inervew referred 10, as IL had been
before
may say, also. that the money contrib
uted with my knowledge in this cam
paign was given with the greatest re-
iuctance, upon the strongest representa-
lions as TO the great needs of the party.
together with the urgent solicitations of
the Chairman and other members of the
Democratic State Committee.
Understanding that II has been alleged
that Mr. Martin was retained or directed
90 antagonize the Kent Bill in the last
Legislature, l desire further To state that
never to my knowledge, has Mr.. Martin
been retained by any railroad or any one
else for or against any income ever pend
ing before the General Assembly of Viz
ginia certainly never by any with which
i have been connected: nor have any
services from Mr.. Martin ever been re-
uured, so far as l know, in this connec-
ton. Respectfully.
DECATUR AXTELI.
The above communication was certified
20 by H. Taylor. Jr., Notary Public Tor
the State OF Virginia.
The following telegram was read by
the chairman:
New York, Dec. 10. 1898.
j. r. Weaver. Sergeant-at-Arms, Rich
mond. Va:
Your message received at nine o'clock
this morning. II is impossible for me TO
no TO Richmond. and L know nothing
whatever OF the subject-matter of the
;. SPENCER.
There was some pickering In COM
mittee. Mr.. Mushbach suggested that
the telegram be put upon record, which
was objected to by Mr.. Downing, under
the rule that all statements submitted
for record had 10 be sworn to. Upon
motion that the rule be suspended 10
admit the message TO record, that action
was then taken.
MIR Minter.
Mr.. George Minter was the first witness
sworn.
Mr.. Nlcol Unless some objection is
raised by some member OF the com
nittee. Mr.. Minter. you will be allowed
to make personal explanation.
Mr.. Minter: 1 just want TO say to the
committee that one night in the lobby
OF the Exchange Hotel. during the SEN
atorial fight. | met with Mr.. Diggs as
met with a number OF other gentlemen;
ana invited Mr.. Digs up to Gen. Lees
headquarters and went with him up
there. He did not stay but short
while. and after Mr. Diggs left. Mr..
{. V. Meredith came over TO where I
was. and asked II had stated TO Digs
that Senator Sands was up there. |
told him that WAS not true. that l never
said anything OF the kind; because l
had Just been In Senator Sands room en-
another portion Of the hotel and had
been talking with him about another
matter which had no reference what
ever TO the senatorial night Mr.. Sands
never gave me any message 10 be con-
veyed 10 Ar. Diggs al any time. i know