The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-19

Mr. Mellick-Mr. Leake, without telling
the high authority, cannot you tell us
something about that list? First, what
have you heard about it. anyway? | do
not want you to break any confidence,
but what have you heard?
A. Just simply a rumor that the news
paper men here-the reporters bring In
this information. They are sent out to
chase it down, and every other man that
you see has heard Of list of that kind,
or seen it; but you never can get close
enough to it to get hold of it.
Mr.. Mellick-Well, now that you have
consulted with your attorney, wouldn' t
you just as leave tell that high author
A. 1 do not understand that / have con-
suited him on that point, and 1 think you
misunderstood me about having this in
formation from any high authority. 1
have heard quite a number of people dis
ciss the proposition. l have been told by
a number of people that there is a list in
existence with thirty-five names upon it
that were going to vote for Mr.. Grant
first, last and all the time. The fact that
they did not vote for him first, last and
all the time is pretty good evidence that
that list does not exist: so We stopped
hunting for it.
Mr.. Mellick-Now, as Wright voted for
Colonel Burns, and as we are authorized
to dig out any improper methods that
have been used, do you know of any i'm
proper methods used by Colonel Burns
in getting Mr.. Wright's vote?
A. 1 know nothing Of the relations be-
tween Colonel Burns and Mr.. Wright.
The chairman-Did Mr.. Wright in any
conversation that he. had with you ever
say anything to you or hint to you as to
what those circumstances were that you
have mentioned that he said had arisen
that compelled him not to vote further
for Mr. Grant?
A. No, did not ask him what the con-
ditions were.
@. Did he ever intimate to you what
were his inducements to change his vote
~ Ir,llo 20 Nv
A. No, sir. I have only had the two
conversations with him that 1 have told
you about
Q. You have had the purpose steadily
in view, on the part of The Call, to de-
feat the candidacy of D. NJ. Burns?
A. That is the attitude of The Call
Q. Do you know of any improper meth
DDS used on the part of D. M: Burns to
secure votes to himself for United States
Senator by any member or members of
this Legislature?
A. No. / don't know anything that was
done that was improper If did I would
about Mr.. Burns we could get hold of
The chairman-Do you know of any i'm
proper methods having been pursued by
any other candidate for United State
Senator in that matter?
A. No. sir; l do not.
Q. Can you point to persons or papers
that may be brought before this committee
whereby they may learn of the improper
use of money or other influences in the
matter of the election of United States
Senator?
A No. sir. I believe have told about
all that l know in connection with the
matter, Mr. Chairman. Now you asked
me If I knew of any other undue influ-
ences being brought to bear. My atten-
ton has been called to the fact of state
ment published in The Call. think it was
an interview with Mr.. Jilson and some
gentleman that came down to persuade
him to change his vote, in which it was
understood that the vote was changed in
consideration of some threat about not
getting any State patronage. It was pub
lie property and was published in the pa
per. However, did not get the inter-
view
Q. Did you have any conversation with
Mr.. Jilson?
A. No, sir.
Q. What member of your staff did have?
A. That I could not tell you. It was
published some time ago.
Mr.. Mellick-Have you any facts in con-