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

- II1F " III OOu1 > GdH-
vass for the United States Senate.
should like to be heard simply as to what
1 had 10 do with the finances of this
campaign, because on that question |
know what / am talking about: and II
at any time | should say anything that
mas no reference 10 the subject or OF no
use as evidence, l think that under the
powers OF your committee you can even
near that. and then strike II out. | do
not understand that 1 am here before a
committee that has charge OF certain,
ana not or all, matters relating 10 TINS
investigation. I believe that law and pre-
cedent demands that all matters be
brought to light. This is a legislative
committee, and different from the courts
OF justice. Now. / ask 10 make my
statement bearing upon the contribution
Of money to this campaign.
Mr.. Nlcol: / say go ahead and state
your views fully. until some memper OF
the committee raises an objection.
Mr.. Boykin: Mr.. Chairman. | desire TO
say this, that IL General Lee desires 10
make a personal explanation, | for one
have not the least objection; but. as /
made the point the other day, that ] did
not consider the sources from which
money was obtained for campaign pur-
pose at all material TO this investigation,
unless It was used for improper purposes,
and to influence the vote Of some mem
Der Of these bodies. Now. II money was
so used. trace the sources from which It
was obtained. / say I object now. unless
General Lee wishes to make his state
ment as a personal explanation and not
as evidence. II it IS designed as a per-
sonal explanation. l am willing 10 accord
him full liberty, but not for him to intro
duce il as evidence. That is, so far as |
am concerned, l speak for myself, and
not for the committee.
Mr.. M%ushbach: We did that all along
on Saturday.
Mr.. Boykin: And 1 objected all along
through the other day,
General Lee. In order to he clear and
concise, / wrote off last night a little
statement which says in a very few
words all I know in regard to the con-
tribution Of money for the campaign,
and the way in which IT was used.
Mr.. Mushbach: My remark was not re-
ported out I'm full. My remark, General
Lee. vas that you had collected money
and had turned it over TO the chairman
OF the State Committee. The words, "and
had turned it over to the chairman Of the
State Committee" did not appear in the
report.
His Statement.
General Lee then read the following
statement:
Having determined to become a candl-
date before the Legislature for the
United States Senate, and having heard
that i'm the ca npaign of 1891 that money!
contributed by certain of the railroads
i'm Virginia was not intrusted TO the
chairman Of the State Committee, but
was put at the disposal Of and distributed
by Mr.. Barbour Thompson and Mr..
Thomas Martin, / endeavored 10 prevent
a similar distribution I'm the hate cam
paign. / first wrote 10 Mr.. ingalls,. presi-
dent Of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road. and stated tha while ! did not
ask for any assistance or support from
his road. I would ask that he would see
that any funds contributed by his COM
pany should go into the hands Of the
State chairman. and not into the hands
Of anyone else. and had from him the
positive assurance that such should be
the course pursued as TO any funds con-
tributed by his road.
Later in the summer I went north
with Mr.. Ellyson, at his request, to solicit
campaign funds. While there / saw Mr..
Spencer. Of the firm Of Drexel. Morgan
& Company. and one Of the receivers Of
the Richmond and Danville railroad.
/ made a similar request Of him and
received from him similar assurances.
7 then asked Mr.. Ellyson not to let
the funds be distributed I'm the interest
Of any senatorial candidate. He replied
tina he would, because in the previous
campaign others had received credit hat
he thought should come to him.
As the result Of our trip. Mr.. Ellyson
obtained several thousand dollars for
the campaign.
on our return, Mr.. Ellyson asked me
II I had any particular locality that 7
would like the funds raised 20 go.
I replied, no; that / am now attempting
10 prevent campaign funds from being
so used for the benefit Of Mr.. Martin.
I have only to request that you will
do most good to the party i'm general
without reference TO the candidacy Of
anyone.
Some days afterwards. when I was
going 10 speak i'm Senator Stubs dis
trlct. Mr.. Ellyson asked me to tell the
chairman Of that district he would send
him a certain sum for campaign purposes.
The above 7 assert Is all that had
70 do fn any manner or form with the
collection or distribution of any funds
whatever from any source for the benefit
Of any candidate Of either house OF the
Virginia Legislature.
After the election. when ] had been
Informed that Of the $4,000, which was
the Joint contribution Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio and Richmond and Danville
railroads. only $500 had been turned over
"a Mr. EUvson. I complained 10 Mr.. Ak
tell vice-prcsident Of the Chesapeake
and ohio railroad. Of such conduct who
ovnressed surprise and Indignation az the
information. and stated that there was
n clear understanding between him
lie nd Mr. cpencer that the entire
contribution Of the roads should be turned
oyer 10 Mr.. Ellyson 10 be distributed by
him.
AIR. Downing: Mr.. Chairman, cannot
for my life see what that has 20 do with
the Investigation. IT is certainly foreign
ia the intent. foreign 10 the language;
olya the language the greatest latitude
ord it Is beyond Il. And l must, as a
member Of this committee, and "A mem
her OF the Democratic party and as a
citizen OF Virginia. protest against nav
inc such a farce here In this inYestisa-
tion.
MT General Lee be allowed 20 proceed
the ground that the same privilege
has been accorded others.
Mr.. Downing: If General Lee regards
NAT as n personal explanation, | have
no objection.
drawn. and General Lee IS at liberty 10
proceed.
General Lee: 7 have finished. gentle
mon While Mr.. Downing was talking. /
the last sentence.
Mr.. Mushbach: In regard 10 what Cen
eral Lee said about the question ] asked
hat seemed 10 imply that he had not
turned over money he had collected. /
. y TT q .mnasEanaI ono