Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-18
SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION.

ing to hear startling revelations were
disappointed, and so far no one has
testified that he knows of his own
knowledge anything about corrupt In
fluences having been used in the sena'
torial contest.
Among the members of the Legisla-
ture the opinion was freely expressed
that the Investigation was "all foolish
ness, and it was suggested that it
would save time to call theSenators and
Delegates in alphabetical order, and
put them on their oaths 10 answer what
they know about the charges that have
been floating around.
After the GAZETTE's report closed on
Saturday, Mr.. Joseph Bryan submitted
q letter from G. V. Litchfield, of Abing-
don, in which the statement was made
that the report is current "that Thomas
S. Martin furnished money for the cam
paign in Washington county for which
he was to receive the votes OF kendrlck
and Tomney."
Mr.. Tomney testified that Mr.. Litch-
field belonged to ring in Washington
county, and when that ring failed to
control the convention that nominated
imself and Mr.. Kendrick. Mr.L.headed
he independent movement in that coun-
ty. He denied knowledge of any currupt
practices.
Mr.. Royal was recalled and started
ont, as he said, to lay the foundation OF
his testimony by describing the init
mate relations existing between Mr.
Martin and Mr.. Barbour Thomson, but
was cut short by the committee, who
took the ground that what Mr.. Royal
was saying had no relation to the sub
ject. Mr.. Royal said he knew that
Mr.. Barbour Thompson was an i'm
portant witness to come before the
committee. He had learned that Il let
ter had passed from Mr.. J. Taylor
Ellyson to Mr.. Charles V. Meredith
stating that Mr.. Thompson had distrl'
buted sum of money! large amount
in the interest of legislative candi'
dates.
Mr.. C. V. Meredith, manager of the
Lee finances, said he knew nothing OF
his personal knowledge of any fraud
but could put the committee on the
track of important evidence. He coulC
tell what certain witnesses would test
fy to, and he believed that chain o.
circumstantial evidence would be de-
veloped that would prove almost con.
clusively that improper methods haC
been used
The committee declined to allow Mr.
Meredith to testify 10 facts that other
persons had told him. He was asked
to give list of persons who might be
able to throw light on the subject
which he did. During Mr.. Meredith's
testimony he said that $l0,0 900 was con
tributed by railroad companies, and O.
this amount only 50, 800 was distributed
by the chairman Of the party. He
thought if the committee wanted light
on the subject they could get it by
tracing this money that never reached
the chairman.
Mr.. Mushbach appeared to be very
much aggravated with some of his as
sociates for Directing to certain ques
tions he put to Mr.. Meredith, and al
one time said he would not ask another
question during the investigation, but
he reconsidered his purpose.
Delegate Binford stated that Mr.. w
H. Sands was the person who offered
to raise $500 to put in his campaign
fund if he would agree not to vote fol
Lee. He knew nothing of any corrupt
methods having been used.
Mr.. Sands said he, being a Martin
man, offered to raise the money for Mr..
Binford's canvass if the candidate
would agree not to vote for Lee. His
idea was to raise the money from per-
sons whom he had secured contributions
from while chairman of the county
committee. He said he did this with.
out any conference with Mr.. Martin or
Mr.. Thompson and entirely upon his
own responsibility. He knew that il
Mr.. Binford intended to vote for Lee
the Ex-Governor had friends who would
raise money for him. Witness made
his personal contribution to the cam
paign fund and canvassed the county
for Mr.. Binford.
Messrs. Henry T. Wickham and Jno.
B. Moon testified that they knew of no
improper methods having been used
in the Senatorial contest. Mr.. Wick
ham said that subsequent to the death
of Senator Barbour he was one of the
General Assembly to request the APP
pointment of Mr.. Martin TO fill the va
cancy, and in this he felt that he was to
some extent pledged to support that
gentleman in the recent contest. lie
did this, he added, though in so doing
he did not represent the wishes of some
gentlemen prominently connected with
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
Mr.. Diggs, the delegate from King
William, said he knew nothing in The
world about any improper methods
having been used in behalf of any Sen
atorial candidate.
Senator Watson said he knew of no
money having been improperly used in
his district.
State Chairman J. Taylor Ellyson
said: 81 have no knowledge whatso.
ever of the improper use of any money
for the election of any member of the
General Assembly at this or any other
election. have no knowledge of any
sort whatsoever in regard to an i'm
proper attempt to influence any men,
Der of the General Assembly to vote
for any person for Senator at the time
of the caucus. have no reason what
ever to suppose that one single dollar
intended for the State Committee ever
failed to reach its destination.
There was q fiutter of excitement
when Mr.. J. S. Barbour Thompson,
superintendent of the Richmond and
Danville railroad, was called. Mr..
Thompson said all of the reports as to