Year: 1863

had declared that they would no longer vote for
him until an examination had proved him inno-
cent of any completely in the matter. Mr.. Nc
Cullough withdrew the name of Mr.. Park as a
candidate before the caucus, and read a letter
from Mr. Park, of which the following .is the
main portion


In Withdrawing wish say, that for months
charged in print and by word of mouth that would pur
chase the election and those friends who supported ms
rupted These charges made by of the friends
of other candidates for the position And while thess
charges being made had good reason believe did
friends that corrupt influences were being used e
| vate another to the position.


have IN no single Instance, directly or indirectly, used n
single dollar, made any promise either to the cupty
or ambition of any member, to influence his vote,


IL any one doubts my statements in these particulars
trust my friends will demand their account wei
as mine thorough Investigation notice in a report of
tho proceedings OF the Caucus last evening that am repre-
sen'ed by senator Parks, having said if elected
the disclosures made last evening should be revealed


In anspcr to this wish say that had conversation
with Senator Parks in which he said he understood about
| the WatroNs affair." that If it was disclosed it would be-
was eected\ and told him the charge wond be false
did say to HIM that while personally had feclng
against M fhIs that IT he was elected would be by
that would attempt control the Federal patronage and the
state officers for Years to come and therefore do
cidedy opposed tohis election.


can appeal to numerous members of the Legislature
friends of the different cauddaesto bear witness that


have always said that after the expose was made should
not be candidate it should be charged mo that
the expose was made to elevate myself I. W PARK.


Aflidavits made by Alfred Barstow and Rich
ard Chenery were then read denying that either
of them had authorized Watrous to make over
lures to Smith, charging Smith with first making
the proposition to Watrous and alleging that
Park originated the whole thing, while Phelps
had never authorized the use of corrupt or i'm
proper means to secure an election. Another
affidavit by Barstow denies in toto the allegations
made by Cyrus Palmer


The following rules to govern the manner OF
testimony were then adopted:


l. All evidence in support of any charges against Mr.
Phelps shall first be produced AS part of that evidence
the written statements read last evening by Messrs
Cuough Gaskel and smith, of Butte shall be taken and
all the evidence against Mr. Phelps shall first be produced
and the testimony on this subject shall be- closed.


q The evidence the part Of Mr. Phelps shall then bo
taken aud closed and further testimony shall be heard
except in rebutal as to any new matter.


Messrs. Parks and Wallis were selected by the
friends of Phelps to conduct the trial on the
part of Mr.. Phelps, and Messrs, Mccullough and
Gaskill were chosen to act on the Park side of
the case.


The testimony of Messrs. Smith, Mccullough
and Gaskill was then taken, substantially as
given on the previous evening. Cyrus Palmer,
also under oath, reasserted all the statements
made by him on the previous evening. He was
cross examined aud detailed fully the circum


by him y S aRsp RsTs %Ss %ss Tas
and testified that he knew nothing of the Wat
rous bribery, except by hearsay. AS to offers
made by himself, he said he had endeavored to
get Mr.. Conness to withdraw on the pledge given
by friends of Phelps that Conness should be
made next Governor. Conness had replied that
he would not on any consideration accept any
an M vnno In
by the people, and not by any arrangement
among politicians Mr.. Parks told Conness that
Phelps friends, Chenery and Barstow would
pledge themselves to furnish money for the
Gubernatorial contest, but that Conness refused
to have anything to do 1t. lie consented how
ever, to withdraw from the Senatorial contest.
because he did not wish longer to delay an cleo
tion, and his own election seemed hopeless. Con-
cerning an interview with 7. w. Park, Mr. Parks
testified that Park assured him that whenever
there WAS danger of Mr. Phelps election an ex-
pose would be made of the corrupt influences
that had been used. Park said the friends Of
Phelps had hunted him and vili6ed him until he
had determined TO watch them, and get means to
prove that they were the parties guilty Of bribery
instead OF himself. He had succeeded aud the
evidence would be produced if the election Of
Phelps became probable In reply to questions
by r. w. Park, Senator Parks admitted that
r. W. said In answer to his fears that exposure
would disgrace the Union party" No. it would
purify the party" He also admitted that T. W.
assured him that he should withdraw from tho
contest as soon as the exposure was made, so that
it could not be charged that the disclosure was
made to benefit him, L. W.


Trainor W. Park was then called to the stand
and testified that he knew nothing of the first Of
fer of Watrous till informed of it by Smith that
he had laid no plan to catch Watrous that he
had never told Barstow or anybody else that ii
elected Senator the bribery should not be expos
ed that the reason why disclosure was not
sooner made was that he himself determined
! to withdraw from the contest whenever the dis
closure was made, and his friends delayed making
it until compelled to do so to prevent Phelps
election. During his testimony he alluded to
several other cases of bribery on the part OF
Phelps friends but no questions being asked to
draw out the facts, he mentioned no names. At
the close of Mr.. Parks testimony the Committee
rose, and caucus adjourned.


desired to comment the the facts here de-
veloped, but fear you have no space for more
than have already given, SO comments here
after. FAUST