Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-17
THE AFTERNOON SITTING.
Dir. Barbour Thompson and seVerai
Others Testify.

Mr. Barbour Thompson and seVerai
Others Testify.
The afternoon session began few min
utes after 4 o'clock, and for over two
hours the members heard the evidence OF
witnesses. A large crowd gathered IN
the Senate Chamber, and the proceedings
were watched with the greatest Interest.
The first witness examined was Mr..
Leggett. the delegate from Princess Anne.
He said that Mr.. Mayors, the Superln-
tendent of Schools Of Princess Anne
wrote TO him and asked him TO vote for
Lee and Masse. but nothing was SAID
about pledges. He came to the House
with the expectation of voting Tor Whom
he pleased Mr.. Leggett stated that no
money was given or offered him to vote
for any particular candidate. and that he
came to Richmond without instructions
relative to the senatorial matter.
NO MONEY IN WASHINGTON.
Mr.. Kendrck, the member of the House
from Washington, testified that no money
was contributed for his election with the
provision that he should vote for any
particular candidate. He had no knowl-
edge OF any improper use OF money or
methods 10 secure his election in the In
terest Of any particular candidate. ana
was elected unpledged. He knew nothing
of anything wrong about the caucus that
nominated Martin. Mr.. Kendrick was
shown the letter from Abingdon which
was sent TO the Times, and which inti-
mated that he was pledged for Martin.
After reading over this. h. said: THE
statement that | was pledged TO vote
for Martin or any one else Is unqualiiedly
false; / was pledged to no one. / did not
seek the nomination, and came here In
the interest OF 10 one
WAS any money sent to your county for
campaign purposes after your nominl-
tion?
None that 1 know Of"
Mr.. Thompson Makes n Statement.
When Mr.. Barbour Thompson. the su-
perintendent of the Richmond and Dan
Vile railroad, took the stand there was
considerable nutter Of excitement
as his name had been frequently
mentioned in connection with the
| investigation. He appeared perfectly
calm and collected, and at no
time while he was tcsiifying did he seem
embarrassed or disturbed. His manner OF
giving evidence was admirable but the
committee wranEled a good deal over
some Of the questions asked him.
In response 10 questions he said: Il
reside in Richmond. but claim Alexandra
as my legal residence, as vote there. !
am superintendent Of the Richmond and
Danville railroad"
O. you know the subject that we are
| investigating"
4. u think I understand it."
q. Have you any knowledge OF I'm
proper means or methods used to secure
! the election OF delegates Or senator's, or
| 20 secure their votes for United States
| Senator"
\. None whatever-I have no hesitancy
O. DO you know OF any improper
methods used in the conduct OF the eau
cus?'
A. "No sir. none at all"
| Q. "Was money ever furnished any
member Of the Legislature on condition
| that he would support any particular can
didatc for the Senate?'
\. "Not to my knowledge, sir"
| .. "Mr. Thompson, can you state how
much the Chesapeake and ohio railroad
gave for campaign purposes?
| Before Mr.. Thompson resp nd"d Mt.
Downing objected 10 this question, and
| me objection was sustained.
MANY OBJECTIONS RAISED.
"rNl US how much money was received
| from the Richmond and Danyille rail-
road" asked Mr.. Mushbach; undaunted
| by the setback that the committee had
! just given him.
! Objections were again made and sus-
| tanned.
"Can you state how much was received
! from the Terminal Company quCried
Mr. Mushbach. still struggling to Gain
I his point.
Again objection was made and sus-
| tanned.
! O. IF you received money from any or
all Of these sources did you turn II over
! 10 Mr.. icllysonq" asked the persistent
| Senator from Alexandra.
| Mr. Boykin at this Juncture made n
| vigorous speech objscting 10 this interro-
CATION. which. he said. was not germane
and was lmmaterial. II the money was 10.
| advanctcd on the ground Of an agreement
| TO support some particular man it made
no difference. Mr.. BOykln's objection was
| sustained.
| Suli Mr.. Mushbach remained undaunted.
| was there any fund commonly denomi-
mated as the preliminary fund' IN the last
campaign" Queried the Alexandria Sen
! atOr.
mo. sir, don't know Of any such
fund" was the reply.
Q. Did you receive any money you
called a preliminary fund"
! A. "No. sir"
Q. Did the money you received in this
| way go 20 the Chairman of the Demo
| cratic State Committee"
| objection was again made. and Mr..
| Mushbach said. al would like 10 know
| what we are investigating?
1T looks as II you are investigating
| the Democratic party" replied Mr.Down-
| ing. -.
| MR.. MCSHBACWS POSITION.
Mr.. Mushbach said h had been opposed
! TO the investigation and had fought II,
/ but since the step was taken jhe resllu-
| ton. in its intent, called for thorough
| research Of the matter. He dl not like
| 10 go into an investigation that investi-
| gated nothing. II was like the trial of
| "A COW case IN a county court in which
| the lawyers did nothing but get up and
] object.
| "'The newspapers had been filed with
| erroneous reports and the public insisted
on an investigation, but at the very
| Threshold of the inquiry every attempt
| 10 know whether money was used had
! been met with an objection.
| Il got money from outside sources o.
| secure my election" lie said, land don't
object to the employment OF campaign
| funds for purposes Of electng members
| provided they are used in the right way.
| II you can't allow questions that will get
at the bottom OF the thing let's adjourn
| | want to find out whether We are going
1
| What's the use Of employing our time II
| We are going TO do nothing?
| III we are only going TO ask what wit
| nesses know about the improper use OF
| money no one will know anything. My
| idea is this-newspapers have charged thai
| money was contributed to the State Elk
| ecutive Committee, but never reached II
| that II was stopped midway by gentlemen
| and used for their individual purposes.
| WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS HINTED
| THE papers also charged that money
| was intercepted and used to elect mar
| to the United States Senate. The ques-
| ton is, was money intercepted?' II
| we are not sent here to find out that
| what were we sent for? l have been told
| that $1,000 had been used for other thar
| general purposes-that Is, 10 elect certain
people to the United States Senate.
''The point is made that General Lee
| collected moneys and turned them over
| 10 the State Committee
| MIR. THOMPSON INTERRUPTS.
Here Mr.. Mushbach was interrupted by
air. Thompson. who asked that he b'
| allowed TO make a statement His re-
| quest being granted. he said: LAS TAI
as 1 am concerned there Is nothing To- b'
| or that shall be concealed. This is mol
the first campaign In which l was IN
| terested. / have always been an earnest
| Democrat / was closely associated II
! former years with hr. Barbour, SUD
sequently with Mr.. Gordon, and recently
| with Mr.. Ellyson. In doing that l nave
done what l thought was my duty ant