Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-12
DISCUSTS THE CONTESTANTS
Their Witnesses Do Not Testify to the
Things Anticipated.
LITTLE COMFORT FROM FOREIGN VOTERS
Change Tactics in the Afternoon and
Eudenvor TO Show Money Was
Improperly Used, but Fail in
that Also.

The legislative contest was continued at
the Jacksonian club rooms yesterday
morning with but little satisfaction
to the contestants. They called an
other batch OF foreigners whom they
supposed had been given naturalization
papers at the request of the republican county
central committee. but the results were dis
appointing. The first man testified that he
had taken out his first papers, but had not
voted at the last election. The next man had
not even taken out the papers and the at
torney for the contestants was repeatedly
advised by his opponents that he had better
coach his witnesses a little better before he
put them on the stand. Another witness had
taken out his papers, but they were paid for
by his brother and after that the attorney
for the contestants gave up in disgust and
refused to question the other witnesses he
had called
After an interval OF waiting the presence
OF Mayor Broatch was secured. He was ques-
toned at length in regard to what he knew
in regard to the management of the local
campaign and more particularly concerning
the disposition OF funds. The contestants
seemed to have an idea that a big Doodle
had been used for campaign purposes and
that the mayor knew something about 1T.
He stated, however that only about $400
passed through his hands and that this was
paid to challengerS for their services at the
polls on election day. The remainder of his
testimony was corroboratlve of that prev-
ously given b. Chairman Lewis of the re-
publican county central committee.
PAID LEGITIMATE EXPENSES.
Euclid Martin and Il. Rosewater were the
main witnesses at the afternoon session. The
Contestants tried to show by Postmaster
Martin that he had received large sums of
money to defeat the popocratic candidates
Mr.. Martin said that he had received "a 900
from the national committee of the demo-
cratic party, of which amount he had ex-
pended $4,000. A large part of this was ex-
pended outside of this county. OF that
which had been expended in Douglas county
the bulk went to pay hall rent, livery bills
the Seventh Ward band and for the ex.
penses of entertaining Generals Palmer and
Buckner. None of it had been spent for any
other purpose than to advance the interests
OF the Palmer and Buckner electors.
The contestants also questioned Mr. Martin
with regard to alleged efforts to coerce gov
ernment employees into voting the national
sound money democratic ticket He posi-
lively denied this. declaring that he had
never either threatened an empoye with
dismissal or aured any with the promise
o. reward. He had advised Dave Rush, ice
Butler. Tom Lcdy and other employees in
the government service at South Omaha that
they must not take too active n part in the
campaign, as 1t was not in accordance with
the rules of the service. If they could
quietly do anything for the Palmer and
Buckner ticket when they were not on duty
1t was all right.
Mr.. Rosewater raised the point that he |
was not compelled to testify unless his wit
ness fee was paid. He explained that the |
81 was not an object, but he considered the |
whole proceeding as frivolous and desired a |
ruling on the point.
The point raised was argued at some length |
by the attorneys. Mr.. sheean for the con-
tesfees declared that the witness was |
clearly entitled to his fees; that any one i
could trump up contest upon no foundation |
In fact and compel the attendance of wit |
nesses without any compensation was plainly |
contrary ITO the spirit of the statutes The |
contestants asserted that no fees had been |
charged In previous contests and with the |
notaries divided in their ruling as usual Mr..
Rosewater took the stand.
In reply to the queries of the attorneys for
tho contestants Mr. Rosewater stated that
he had handled not more than 1880 during
the campaign. or this about 5000 had been
received from the national committee and
was expended for his travelling expenses
and stenographers work. He received no
compensation fer his own services The re-
mainder was received from the state central
committee and was used TO employ men to
canvass various wards, attend political meet
ings and report such information as was re-
quired and other similar services. They were
paid in every case by the day. Asked
Whether ihe bee nad received any campaign
money, he said that about 81 500 had been
paid The Bee Publishing company for papers
sent to persons whose names were furnished
by the state committee and for advertising
meetings, ratiications. etc. Not ene cent had
been paid for editorials favorlng republican
candidates and doctrine The Bee,
unlike some other newspapers never
sold its editorial opinions In reply
to an inquiry whether he had not offered
Adam Sloup $500 to work for the republican
ticket Mr.. Roeewater returned a positive
negative. He had sent for Mr.. Sloup and
asked him IL he could do something toward
assisting in the organization In the Second
ward Mr. Sloup had declined to do SO and
nothing further was said.