Evening journal., 1896-10-29
ACCUSED OF BRIBERY.
John M. Clayton, Of Middle
town, the Defendant.
GEO D oRossLAND, COMPLAINANT:


MAKES AFFIDAVIT THAT CLAY
TON OFFERED HIM $500 TO USE
HIS OFFICE or DEMOCRATIC
VOTERS ASSISTANT FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE ADDIcKs
TICKET.
John NJ. Clayton, Of Middletown. a
prominent Addicks leader In st. Georges
hundred is In serious trouble. He Is ac-
cused Of having attempted to bribe. for
$500, George ID. Grassland, one OF the
Democratic voters assistants Of the
hundred, and a warrant has been
sworn out for his arrest and placed in
the hands of the state detectives for
service.
The exposure was made at the big
Democratic rally held at Middletown
yesterday afternoon, which was adj
dressed by Hon. H. Irving Handy. "lce
Man Turner E r. Cochran, Jr., and
Milton III. Hawkins. In the presence Of
l,500 persons. Clayton being one of the
number, Mr.. Handy read the following
affidavit, which created a profound
sensation:
State of Delaware, New Castle County,
S. S.
BE It remembered that on this 2sth
day Of October. A. d.. 1896, personally
appeared before me. Edwin r. Cochran.
Jr., notary public for the State OF
Delaware, George ID. Grassland, OF st.
Georges hundred, New Castle county,
State of Delaware, who deposes and
says that on the oath day Of October,
A. d.. 1896, he was approached BY one
John M. Clayton, of St Georges hum
dred, county and state aforesaid, and
that the said John M. Clay
ton made certain proposals to
him, to wit: That he should
use his influence to get his party (the
Democratic party. and that when he
voters assistant for his said party (the
| Democratic party) and that when he
| became appointed such voters assist
ant he should use his said position as
voters assistant on election day. the
Bird day of November, A. d.. 1896. for
the good and benefit of the Union Re-
publican ticket, or sO-called Addicks
ticket; that the said John M. Clayton
was to compensate him for such bene-
ft or work by paying him the sum OF
/ $3.50 before election day, the Bird oay Of
November, A. D.. 1896, and $3.50 more
after the aforesaid election day, maxi
ing the sum of $500 in all for the said
work, as aforesaid.
GEORGE ID. CROSSLAND
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this 2Sth day OF October 1896.
EDWIN r. COCHRAN, Jr.,
Notary Public
This morning this affidavit was
brought to Wilmington by Secretary
Cochran, of the Democratic County
I Executive Committee. He laid IL be-
fore Deputy Attorney General Peter l..
Cooper, Jr., who directed Magistrate
Kelley to issue a warrant for Claytons 3
arrest. This warrant was placed in the
hands of the state detectives for SER
vice.
The penalty for the crime u fine
not exceeding $1,000 and six months
Imprisonment.
READY TO GIVE BAIL.
An Evening Journal reporter found
Clayton at Addicks headquarters, at
Ninth and Market streets. He said
that he had no notice OF the warrant.
but that, If arrested. he would waive a
hearing and give bail for his appear
ance at the upper court. When asked
who would 90 on his bond he replied
that ex-Clerk OF the Peace w. Pierce
Biggs, Democrat, had told him that
he would go on his bond for $50, 900 II
necessary.
When asked whether the charge con-
tanned in the affidavit was true or false
he replied that he had not seen the ar
fdavit and had nothing to say. He
merely heard IL read yesterday.
This afternoon Clayton was arrested
and is now searching for BAIL