Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-17

The Henrieo Offer.
Mr. W. J. Binford, the member OF the
House from Henrico county, was called
and asked 10 tell what he knew bearing
upon this investigation. lie began py
saying that about two weeks before the
election he WIS met on the streets py
Mr.. William ". Sands, who asked MIN
how he would vote for United States
Senator The witness replied that no
had not promised any living man how
he would vote. Mr.. Sands. he Continued
then remarked that the County Commit
tee was without funds, and he would un-
dertake to put 800 or 800 In the HANDS
OF the County Democratic Committee 10
conduct the campaign with II ne Wouiu
not vote for General Lee.
Mr. Binford declared that he refused to
make any promise. and there the matter
dropped. He said that Mr.. Sands did not
claim TO be the agent Of any candidate
or candidates. lie voted for General
Lee.
MR.. sANDSS EXPLANATION.
Mr.. William H. Sands then appeared IN
the Senate chamber and was called 10
the witness chair. He said that on sun
day morning he heard that Mr.. Blnioru
had made the statement that he Sands
offered 10 pay him 800 or 500 for his
vote for United States Senator. He went
at once to Binford and pronounced such
q. statement a malicious lie Binford told
the witness that his informant had mis-
understood the matter. and the witness,
upon inquiry, had found this to be the
case.
Continuing his testimony, Mr. Sands
said that for five or six years he had
been chairman Of tho committee In the
county to solicit campaign funds. Last
year he resigned. In the last canvass
the committee had no money, and he
was approached TO collect some.
He did meet Captain Binford one day
and ask him II he was pledged to support
anybody for the Senate. ~ which the
Captain replied in tho negative.
HIS OFFER TO BINFORD.
The witness then told Mr.. Blnford that
there were no funds TO carry on the
canvass in the county. He could raise
some money for the committee, but did
not feel like calling upon his friends for
funds 10 carry on the campaign OF a
man who would turn around and vote
contrary TO their wishes. He felt salts
fed that In the straight contest for the
senatorshp Captain Binford was Leo
man, though he had never heard him
so express himself.
The witness declared that he was n
pronounced Martin man, but up to the
time Of his conversation with Mr. Bin
ford had had no conference with either
Mr.. Martin or Mr.. Thompson. lie knew
Of no improper uses Of money to influence
members Of the House or Senate for any
candidate.
The CHAIR asked the witness where he
hoped 10 get the money.
lie REPLIED that he could satisfactorily
answer that question by showing the
book containing the names Of cOntribu-
tors 20 this fund in years past Some
member inquired how Mr.. Sands knew
whether be could get up this money for
the campaign Of a Martin delegate. lie
replied that he was familiar with those
who had given sums In the past, and
knew nearly all Of them 10 be In favor
Of Martin for the Senate. He denied
that he was ever the agent or acted as
the agent or representative of either
Mr. Martin or Nj. Thompson, and de-
clared that he had acted simply as
supporter Of Martin who was interested
in his success.
What Senator Wickham Knew.
Senator Henry T. Wickham, Of Han
over, the next witness said he knew abb
solutely nothing Of his own knowledge
about the rumors. lie knew Of no i'm
huencc brought 10 bear upon any member
OF the House or Senate Subsequent "a
the death OF Senator Barbour he was
one OF a majority Of the General As
semhly 10 request the appointment OF
Mr.. Martin 10 I'll the vacancy, and In
this he felt that he was to some extent
pledged TO support that gentleman In
the recent contest He did this, he adj
ded. though I'm 90 doing he did not repre-
sent the wishes of some gentlemen
prominently connected with the Chcsa-
peake and Ohio railway lie knew OF no
improper outlay of finances in connection
with either the election OF members OF
the House or Senate or the nomination
Of q United States Senator by the Demo
cratic caucus December 9TH.
MR.. DIGGs KNEW NOTHING
Delegate Isaac Diggs. of West Point
testified that OF his own knowledge hC
did not know Of any improper influence
having been employed in the election of
members of the General Assembly to In
duce tfem to vote fer any particular
candidate. nor did he know OF any i'm
proper influence having been brought to
bear on the caucus. lie was asked By
both Lee and Martin men to vote foI
their respective candidates and ID voted
for Lee upon the strength Of a petition
asking him 10 do so, which was signed
by every member OF the convention which
nominated him save one, and was en-
dorsed by many leading citizens Of his
county. lie had not pledged himself 10
vote for any particular candidate for
United States Senator. but about a year
ago had a correspondence with Mr.. Mere
dth on the subject. That was before he
had decided whether he would stand for
the legislature, and ne then preferred
Lee. He wrote after the election TO Cap
tain Bob Lee on the subject, but de-
clined to commit himself.
NOR DID MR.. WATSON.
Senator Watson deposed that he had
no knowledge Of improper methods hav-
ing been used either in the election OF
delegates or in the caucus 10 influence
members TO vote for any candidate. for
United States Senator. lie did not know
Of any money having been sent to his
district upon the condition that 1t be used
to influence the election in favor Of any
candidate for the Senate. The committee
at this point declined To allow the ques-
ton to be asked, Where the money came
from that went into the district from
sources outside Of the regular channels?
Mr.. Watson iterated that he had nc
knowledge that MONEY from any source
had been used TO influence the election
Of a senator or member Of the Legisla-
ture.
STATE CHAIRMAN on THE STAND
Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson. the chairman.oi
the State Democratic Committee. was the
last witness called at the morning SEES
sion. The questions asked him and his
answers were as follows:
Chairman Nicol: The subject of this
inquiry Is whether or not any improper
methods means, or influences We're used
In the election Of delegates or senators
OF the General Assembly Of Virginia tc
vote for a particular candidate Tor the
United States Senate.
MIR. Mushbaoh: That IS not the whole
matter.
Chairman Nlcol: I will read the whole
resolution. Cine resolutions authorizing
the Investigation was here read)
Mr.. Alushbach: The first resolution ap-
plies to the election Of senator's and dele
gates and the second one to the caucus
matter.
Chairman Nicol: We understand that
WIN YOU give US any information as tc
the first case?
Mr.. Ellyson: have no knowledge what
soeyer 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 ITO an improper
ATTEMPT to influence any member of the
General Assembly TO vote for any per
son for senator at the time OF the caucus
chairman Nicol: ANY information II