Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-21
THE VIRGINIA SENATORSHlP.
Investigation of the Charges of
Bribery and Corruption.



tributed in Aid of His canvass--senator-
Elect Martins Statement.
RICHMOND, VA, Dec. 19.-Fitzhugh Lee
testified in the investigation of charges of
corruption in connection with the sena-
torial election, to-day. He was asked if he
had collected any money for campaign
purposes.
YES sir" was the reply.
Mr.. MISUNDERSTANDING did you do with
itT'
General Lee-"I turned il over to the
chairman for the general good of the
party"
Mr.. Mushback inquired of the witness
from whom the amounts were collected.
Before answering the question General
Lee stated that he believed that it was per-
fectly right and proper that railroads, like
other parties having property rights in
Virginia and residing outside, should con-
tribute toward the expenses of a campaign
to make sure of their rights being protected
but in his opinion he thought such contri-
buttons ought to go to the chairman for
the common good.
A vote was taken upon the question of
allowing General Lee to state from whom
he collected funds and the amounts of the
same. 1t was decided in the affirmative.
General Lee then read the following memo
randa Scruggs Brothers of New York,
NOSOt 80 ~ aus NtM IOEkt EDDU, DIeSlutIL
OF Hanover National Bank of New York,
$3.50; President Grover Cleveland, 81, 900.
Witness said he did not ask the President
for contribution. Mr.. Cleveland asked
him (Lee) where he was staying When
he returned TO the hotel he found note
which said PLEASE let ME know If you
get this safely,-G. c." In the package
were fifty $40 bills.
Mr.. Mushback inquired whether the
prpGidnnf allndaA To hia
Lee replied that Mr.. Cleveland had never
said anything to him about it, and he on
his part had not mentioned the subject to
the President. Something had been said
about his offering Federal patronage for
persons to work for him. He had done no
such thing in the State or elsewhere and
had none to offer.
HOW THE MONEY WAS RAISED.
The question was propourded whether
this campaign was conducted differently
from those of former years.
The witness replied that it was not differ
eht except that two years ago two people
Mr.. Mushback-"Was the money raised
by the party or by the iudividunls2'
General Lee-"Some by the chairman
and some by the committee. Others by the
railroads to the counties direct"
Concluding, General Lee said that DR.,
Prlddy of Charlotte, wrote him before his
nomination, saying that he had as one of
his objects in desiring to go the Legislature
tovote for witness for United States Senator.
DR.. Priddy was then placed on the stand.
He spoke at length of the complications in
his county. He knew of no improper
methods resorted to in securing the nomi-
nation for the United States Senatorsbip.
DR.. Priddy had, he said, never positively
committed himself TO any candidate. He
had another letter which General Lee had
referred to ana put in evidence. He did
not, however, consider he had given any
pledge i'll that letter. Dr. Priddy had he
said declined all through bis canvass to
commit himself to any Senatorial candi-
date.
Mr.. MARTIN TEsriFfEs.
Mr.. Thomas S. Martin appeared before
the committee about O'Clock. He re-
manned standing and his remarks were
delivered with great calmness and force.
He denied that he had any knowledge of
any improper methods being used to
secure his nomination. He not only did
not know OF any, but If any had been used
they were without his knowledge or APP
proval. If any one had approached a
member or other person in his behalf Mr..
Martin declared that they had done very
indiscreet thing. He grew warm in refer
ring to his friendship for Mr.. Barbour
Thompson. The question, he said. had
been asked Mr.. Thompson by committee
man If he we're not on intimate terms
of friendship with Mr.. Martin. The
speaker said he claimed Mr.. Thompson as
his friend and was proud of that friend
ship. IL il we're an offence to claim the
friendship of such an honorable man, he
pleaded guilty of that offence. Referring
to illusions that he was railroad al.
torney, Mr.. Martin said that he is the
salaried counsel for the Chesapeake &
Ohio in five counties in this State. Touch
ing reference that lie had appeared as the
paid counsel in opposition to the Kent
Railroad bill, Mr.. Martin declared with
yigor and earnestness that never in his life
had he appeared as counsel or in any other
capacity before Legislature or legisla-
tive committee. Mr.. Martin was several
times loudly applauded by the crowd.