Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-28

average w CosV4o COpkcS.
Taylor visiting houses of i'll fame not in
the Division"
Political Assessments.
The witness then went on to tell Of the
alleged political assessments made by Mr..
Taylor on government employees. Mr.. Tay-
Tor, he swore, had told him that they could
make mice little incomes" by levying rs
sessments on negro employees, republicans
and democrats. The Negro Democratic
League said the witness, was, therefore.
formed. A controversy arose, however, as
to the manner of collecting and distributing
the funds, and finally, stated the witness,
and Mr.. Still The witness said that assess
ments were made on colored employees In
all the government departments, the re-
corders Office included.
The witness said he could not say that he
ever knew Of Mr.. Taylor ever directly max
ing an assessment. although he had heard
him tell men paying money to the league
that they should pay more.
On cross-examination' the witness admit
ted having fallen out with MFR. Taylor and
having assisted In obtaining evidence
against him. He denied having been an
Office broker. but said that the nearest he
connected with Mr.. Taylor. Once, said the
witness. he had handed Mr.. Taylor $40
which had been collected from two female
employees In his office. the understanding
being that those receiving appointments
should pay for them.
The witness admitted receiving so from
Miss Blanch Brown on account So read the
receipt signed by her attorney, the de-
PENDANT, of the witness and w. q. Still.
The witness admitted. too, that he had
been associated with the defendant In the
management of the Bee. The so received
from Miss Brown. the witness believed he
handed Mr.. Taylor, although he was Lot
sure. Il -
The cross-axaTnination of The witness con-
cluded, recess was taken at 12:30 until
las when he was further questioned by
Mr.. LangSton- JThe witness stated that 1t
was understood that 40 colored person
could secure1a position IN the government
printing ofiicei unless indorsad by MIR.
Taylor. That isl explained the witness,
The was the great man in such things, and
controlled appointments OF coiored people
in all the Offices"
Civil Service Commissioner Proctor.
Civil Service Commissioner John r. Proc
ter was the next witness called by the de-
Tense. H. stated that the commission had
investigated the charges made against Mr..
Taylor of letyins political assessments, but.
upon the objeetion of District Attorney
Birney, Mr.. I.I'oeter was not allowed tu
MIR. Taylor's dismissal was recommended
TO the President.
The defense noted an exception, and then,
Mrs Anianda Hin having recovered, was
called to the stand for cross-examination.
When, she said, Mr. Taylor insulted her she
made no cutlery, but merely pushed him
backward. When her daughter was fur
Laughed she told several friends of MIR.
quently reinstated, witness having told Mr..
Taylor that she was entirely dependent
on her daughter. The witness denied say
ing to Nathan Sprague that she intended
accusing Mr. Taylor of having attempted
to assault her, and that unless Mr.. Taylor
provided for her she would flash the charge
on him. Mrs. Hill also denied asking Mr..
Sprague to say that he was in an adjoining
room and heard Mr.. Taylor's insults. Three
days before her husbands death Mr.. Tay-
lor had made arrangements with her to
board several of his employees with her,
paying her several dollars in advance.
Another Witness.
The daughter of Mrs. Hill, Mrs Mamie e.
Mortimer, was the next witness called by
the defense. She testified that she was
given a position in the recorders office ny
Recorder Bruce about five years ago. and
month. She had been furloughed several
times by Mr.. Taylor. In July last she re-
ceived an invitation from Mr.. Taylor,
through Mr.. Barnes, to take trip down the
river with Mr.. Barnes Mr.. Taylor and a
Miss Hurst. She refused to go, and a few
days later was furloughed.
To Mr.. Birney the witness said that she
was married on the 30th Of last month.
After receiving Mr.. Taylor's message con-
corning the river trip. which she consider
ed an insult, she had IN interview with
Mr.. Taylor, In which he denied having
sent any such message. The witness adj
mitted that otherwise Mr.. Taylor had al
ways acted as a perfect gentleman. She
identified a statement written by her sub
sequently to Mr.. Taylor's alleged invita-
ton, in which she said that neither Mr..
Barnes nor Mr.. Taylor had ever acted
other than as honorable men.
WAS that statement trueT asked MI.
Birney.
1T was forced to write that statement"
replied the witness, evasively.
"Was 1t not true?" persisted Mr.. Birney.
"I was forced to write it, said the wit
ness, Mr.. White having brought me the
matter contained in 1t to copy"
Mr.. Langston endeavored to show that
the witness wrote the statement at the
instance of White, the agent of Mr.. Tay-
lor White returned the statement, when
written by the witness, to Mr.. Taylor. and,
the latter now producing 1t. that connected
the threat with Mr.. Taylor.
Judge Cole, however, thought Mr.. Taylor
not yet connected with any threat made
known to the witness by White.