Daily patriot and union. (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1858-1868, April 13, 1863, Image 1

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MONDAY MORNINO, APRIL 13 1863.
THE CAMERON BRIBERY CASE.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE
oTO THE TRUTHOF CHARGKS MADE BY
T. JEFFERSON BOYS'S, MEMBER OF THE
LEGISLATURE FRoM CLEARFIELD COUN
TY, OF ATTEMPTS MADE BY GEN. SIMON
CAMERON, DIRECTLY, AND THROUGH
THE AGENCY OF COL. JOHN J. PATTER.
soN AND WILLIAM BROBST, TO BRIBE
BOYER, BY THE OFFER OF MONEY AND
PROMISE OF A LUCRATIVE APPOINT.
MENT, TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE SAID SIMON CAMERON TO THE
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
TESTIMONY OF JONATHAN H. HANCOCK
JONATHAN H. HANCOCS being duly sworn,
testified as follows :
By Mr. Seine. Where do you rceidc
Witness. In Luzern county, and was for
merly a merchant at Suipton ; I am engaged
in no business now.
Mr. Keine. Row long have you been in
his city ?
Witness. About three months.
Fiy Mr. Kaine. Were you in this city at - the
time and before and after an election for an
United States Senator, on the 13th day of Jan
uary ultimo?
Witness. I was.
By Mr. Sallie. Will you now state, sir,
what you know, if any thing, of what efforts
were made or influences used to procure the
election of any particular man or men for the
pogition of United States Senator ?
Witness. I heard something through this
man Mr. Brobst. He said to me that Mr.
Cameron had been to see him at Lewisburg,
his place of residence ; I am not positive
whether he said they met at Williamsport or
Lewisburg; that there was an arrangement
made with a Democratic member to vote for
him (Simon Cameron) for United States Sena
tor ; some days afterwards he (Brobat) told
me it was a member from Clearfield ; we bad
a number of conversations afterwards about it ;
I think the last Conversation I had with him
he said this member from Clearfield would
stand up and vote for him (Cameron) at all
hazards ; I think there was also something
said about the price to be paid that was to
secure another member or so—one or two mem
bers, I am not certain; I asked him what the
amount would be; he said that they had the
thing certain, and would not be willing to give
more than five thousand apiece for the other
men.
By Mr. Barger. When did this first convir
sation occur?
It was before the meeting of the
Witness.
'Legislature.
By Mr. Enloe. When did those other eon
Tersations occur?
Witness. After the meeting of the Legisla
:ure, some five or six days before the election
Of the United States Senator.
By Mr. Koine. From the time of the meet
!ng of the Legislature until the election of the
United States Senator, how often did you see
.11r. Brobst?
_
'Witness. I think I saw him every day when
ne was in town r he roomed with me for some
two or three weeks; some days he was away;
once he went to Berke county, or at least he
said be went there.
By. Mr. Keine. At any of the conversations
with Mr. Brobat, did he tell you the name of
the member who was to Tote for Mr. Camereti?
Witness. He did not; I never asked him;
he told me it was a member from Clearfield
county.
By Mr. Keine. Did he tell you anything
that oeeured between him and the member
from Clearfield at any of their meetings, and if
eo ' what!
Witness. He told me that he and Mr. Cam
eron had met the member from Clearfield, and
had made the arrangement I'
By Mr. Barger. Did he tell you what that
arrangement was?
Witness. Nothing more than that they had
secured his vote for Mr. Cameron for United
States Senator; he did not give the details.
By Mr. Koine. How often had you conver
sations with Mr. Brobst on this subject ?
Witness. I had a gnat many.
By Mr. Milne. Had you any conversation
with Mr. Brobst on this subject since the elec
tion
Witness. No, sir; the last conversation I
bad with him was on the morning of the elec
tion or the evening previous thereto.
By Inr, Barger. How long have you known
Brohst ?
Witness. I never met him until I came
here; I have known him three months. •
By Mr. Barger. How was it that Brobat
came to diseloee to yan his arrangements ?
Witness. I don't know ;we roomed together
and became very intimate, and talked over his
affairs.
By Mr. Barger. Did Mr. Brobst disclose to
you how he was to be benefitted by this Altair ?
Witness. I think he said that he could make
a good thing out of it; he said if his friends
would go in and assist and succeed m electing
Mr. Cameron they would all be served; they
would be remunerated in some shape or oared
for.
By Mr. Barger. Did be say to you what his
immediate reward or benefit would be ?
Witness. He did not; he simply' said to me
that he had authority to use money to accom
push this purpose, if necessary ; he did not tell
me from whom he had authority, but he handed
me two blank cheeks on the Cameron Bank,
(State Capital Bank.,) and told me to fill one
for five thousand dollars and the other for one
thousand dollars; I did so; this was in the
evening * four or five days before the election.
By Mr. Barger. Were those checks signed
by any person?
Witness. No air; I asked him what he in
tended doing with them ; he said that if he met
the person who bad engaged to meet him he
would use them 20 advantage.
By Mr. Barger. Did you see any other
cheeks in his possession, or fill up any others
for him 4
Witness. I saw him have ether blank checks,
but did not fill up any others.
By Mr. Barger. now 'does it happen that
you and Mr. Breton have had no conversations
on this subject since the election?
Witness. I really don't know ; he seems to
have avoided me since the election ; we had no
tlifficuity ; we were on the most friendly terms
before ; he has passed me several times on the
street without recognizing me.
By Mr Barger. Did Mr. Brobst ever tell you
what arrangement he had with Simon Cameron
h reference to this matter?
Witness. I think he told me on one m3ll
- on his return from a visit to Simon at his
:bootee, or in town, that if Mr. Cameron was
sleeted United States &Dater, he (Brobat)
'would be comfortable for life.
By Mr. Barger. Be good enough to tell ue
if he mild, at any time, that ne had the autho
rity of Slum Cameron to use money to secure
his (Cameron's) election to the United Staten
senate?
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VOL. 5.-NO. 191.
- Witness_ He has told me, repeatedly, that
any arrangement he might make,within reason
able avant, to secure a vote for Simon Cam
eron for United States Senator, would immedi
ately be complied with by Cameron.
By Mr. Brown. Be good enougtrto tell us
if he said, at any time, that he had the authci
rity of Simon Cameron to use money to secure
his (Cameron's) election to the United States
Senate? Please answer directly, yes or no.
Witness- He has told me that he had au
thority of Mr. Cameron to use -money I'
By Mr. Barger. Did he ever tell you how
much money Simoq Cameron had authorized
him to use ?
Witness. He did not; he has frequently
told me that they could not expect any great
sum; that five thousand dollars was enough for
any one map ; that was all that they could af
ford to pay for one vote, as they had it secure
any way.
By Mr. Kaine. Did Brobst tell you at any
time what was his business at Reading ?
Witness. I think he told me, on his return,
that he met a member or a couple of members
there, and that the thing was all right.
By Mr. Kaine. Had you any meeting your.
self with Simon Cameron on this subjeot ?
Witness. No, -sir, I have not spoken with
him for ten years, but was invited several times
by Mr. Brobst to meet him, but could not make
it suit ; I would have met him if convenient.
By Mr. Beebe. Did Mr. Brobst my to you
at any time that he had or could have the votes
of any other members than the member from
Clearfield, for Mr. Cameron, for a money con
sideration?
Witness. He did ; I think there were two ;
he said they were poor, wanted money, and
could be reached, and that he had unbounded
influence ever them.
By Mr. Beebe. Give their names.
Witness. I cannot remember their names Or
localities.
By Mr. Brown. During the three months
livhich you have been in the city of Harris
burg have you been in any business here f
Witness. I have not, but came here to find
business.
By Mr. Brown. Have you any family 2
I have none.
Witness.
By Mr. Brown. Where have you boarded
since you have been in the city, and how has
your time been occupied in the meantime?
Witness. I boarded at Herr's hotel, and
spent my time traveling about the city, taking
a little exercise, as anybody would.
By Mr. Brown. How did you obtain the
confidence of Mr. Brobst ?
Witness. I met him ;he was a free end may
kind of a fellow, and unusually communicative
when he had whiskey aboard; I sometimes in
dulged myself, and we mutually came together.
By Mr. Brown. Did you make any proposi
tions to Brobst or did he make any propositions
to you, by which you were to be benefitted ?
Witness. Idid not make any propositions to
him, as I had none to make; he said that if
Simon Cameron was elected United States
Senator we would all be rich, and I was inchtdcd
in the number.
By Mr. Brown. Can. you state why Mr.
Brobst included you with those who were to be
made rich ?
Witness. I can't tell; he was in one of his
liberal moods into which he gets sometimes.
By Mr. Brown. Did you give Mr. Brobst to
understand that you would act with him in the
matter of bringing about the election of Mr.
Cameron ?
Witness. I presume I did favor the project;
be represented that there was a vast amount of
money in it.
*By Mr. Brown. State whether you did en
tertain any expectation of receiving any profit
or advantage from the election of Mr. Cam
eron?
Witness. • That is a difficult question to
answer ; I cannot say that I did ; I could not
see it.
By Mr. Brown. Do you mean to be under
stood as saying that you had no hopes of
receiving any benefit or advantage, directly or
indirectly, from the success of Brobst's efforts
to secure the election of Cameron 7
Witness. I have answered this question once
in a different way, but I have always had the
assurance of Mr. Brobst that if Mr. Cameron
was elected that I should share the spoils; that
is, in taking care of his friends.
By Mr. Brown. In your conversations with
Brobst was the necessity of secrecy talked
about, and did you have a mutual understand
ing that' whatever occurred should be kept
secret ?
Witness. Mr. Brobst always impressed upon
me, in every conversation, that it was import
ant to keep it secret.
By Mr. Brown. Did you concur in his
opinion
Witness, Yes, sir, as far as I could consist
ently.
By Mr. Brown. When and to whom did you
first communicate what had taken place be
tween you and Mr. Brobet?
Niritneee. I decline answering this question.
By Mr. Brown. State your reasons for de
cling to answer the question.
Witness. I might as well answer the ques
tion as to give you the reasons for declining to
answer, and consequently I decline answering.
By Mr. Brown. Did yon tell any person or
persons, before coming before the committee,
of the conversations which you had with Mr.
Brost relative to the election of United States
Senator ?
Witness. I decline answering.
JONATHAN HANCOCK
TZSTIMONT OF SMITH FULL'S&
SMITH Flamm being duly sworn according
to law, testifies as follows:
By Mr. Beebe. Where do you reside and
what is your present business here ?
Witness. I reside in Fayette county, and am
at present a member of the State Senate.
By Mr. Beebe. What interviews had you,
if any, with General Simon Cameron in refer
ence to the election of United States Ben6tor,
and with others on the same subject, and please
state what occurred ?
Witness. The Republican caucus had a
meeting on the evening prior to the election of
the United States Senator, preparatory to the
nomination of a candidate for United States
Senator, at which meeting a committee of five
members of the Legislature, (members of the
caucus,) viz : Menses. Laporte, Smith, of Phil
adelphia, and M'Murtrie, of Blair, of the
House, and Hiestand and myself of the Senate,
were appointed, I being chairman of the com
mittee; the duties with which that committee
wee charged were to ascertain whether any
Republican nominee of that caucus would be
available for success on the next day, and if
not, whether any war Democrat could be nomi
nated whose election could be secured; in dis
charge of these duties, the committee, imme
diately after the adjournment of the caucus,
divided, ewe of them, Col. M'Martrie and my
self, visiting General Cameron that evening at
the residence of his son ; the balance of the
committee visited Mr. Wilmot at his hotel, the
Jones How... that evening; Col M'Murtrie and
myself found General Cameron in hell ; we
introduced the subject of our mission ; Gen.
Cameron replied that he dit.not suppose thet
be could be elected, and that be bad very little
ambitibil for the place, that he had supposed a
short time before that he could be elected, but
HA.RKISBURG, PA:, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1863.
that the member of the Legislature Whosnvote
he had expected to have gotten he now believed
had concluded not. to vote for him, because he
had promised to visit him that evening after
the adjournment of the Democratic caucus,
which he had not done up to that time ; that it
might be something beyond his control had
prevented, and that he might hear from him
by morning, and asked us to visit him again in
the morning; in the morning, CoL
not meeting me until late, I took with me Sen
ator Nichols, of Philadelphia, and visited Gen.
Cameron at, the same place; he informed us
that his friend had not made his appearance,
and that he did not desire to be nominated, as
he was satisfied that he would be defeated, and
he did not want a merely complimentary nomi
nation; I then returned to Herr's hotel (my
boarding house) with the view of ascertaining
whether Mr. Foster would accept of a nomina
tion, and whether, if nominated, he could se
cure any votes of the Democrats in the Legis
lature to effect his election ; I sent Senator
White, whom I met at the hotel, to Buehler's
hotel to hunt General Foster, and to ascertain
from General Foster whether he would accept
and could give assurances of success; he re
turned and informed me that General Foster
had gone home the night previous ; soon after
Mr. White's return John J. Patterson came to
my room and informed me that Gen. Cameron
and a friend were in his room in the same ho
tel, and desired to itee the committee or myself,
as its chairman, in regard to the election of
United States Senator ; he gave me the num
ber of his room and I went to it, and found
there General Cameron lying upon a bed and
a gentleman sitting there, to whom General
Cameron introduced me as Dr. Boyer, of Clear
field county, who he said (referring to Dr.
Boyer) was the Democratic friend in the Legis
lature who proposed to vote for him for United
States Senator if nominated by the Republican
caucus ; I turned to Dr. Boyer and said to him,
"I suppose you are aware, sir, that your party
has made threats of personal violence to any
one of its members who violates its caucus
nomination for United States Senator ;" he
replied, " Yes, but by God I was elected with
the understanding that I would vote for Gen.
Cameron for United States Senator, and if he
is nominated by the Republican party I will
do it;" I then said to Dr. Boyer, "If you are
determined to vote for General Cameron the
Republican party will defend you if you are
assailed therefor; we have made some prepa
ration by bringing friends front the city for
that purpose."
By Mr. Pershing. Did General Cameron
give you the nem of the member who inten
ded to vote for him at the time you and Mr.
M'Murtrie called on him ?
Witness. No, sir.
By Mr. Pershing. Did you know at that
time who the person was who intended to vote
for General Cameron, from General Cameron
or any one else?
Witness. I did not.
By Mr. Pershing. Had you any interviews
With General Cameron other than the one you
have spoken of, in relation to the election of
the "United States Senator, and if so, when and
where ?
' Witness. I met General Cameron casually
prior to that time at the banking house of his
son, in company with Senator Nichols and Sen
ator White, and' the subject of the United
States Senator was mentioned in a general way
by the parties present; General Cameron sug
gested that it would be better if the election
could be deferred to the session of next win
ter; I met General Cameron again casually;
wentto my neighbor's room (Mr. Nichols') and
there was some conversation there; I found
General Cameron and, I think, Senator White,
and there was some conversation in regard to
the United States Stlhatorship of a genera'
character.
By Mr. Pershing. At this conversation at
the Bank, when General Xameron suggested
the postponement of the election until the neat
winter, did the Senator's present approve of it ?
Witness. Ido not know; I was in favor of
an election this session; General Cameron did
not press the matter.
By Mr. Pershing. Was anything said in
Senator Nichols's room in regard to the.post.
ponement ?
Witness. Nothing that I remember.
By Mr. Pershing. Was anything said in
these conversations about procuring a Deo-,
cratio vote for General Cameron?
Witness. Nothing.
By Mr. Pershing. - How long was it before
the election of the United States Senator that
you had your first conversation with General
Cameron ?
Witness. It was several days
By Mr. Pershing. Did yon go to Philadel
phia with General Cameron on the same train
on the Friday prior to the election ?
Witness. I went to Philadelphia with Gen.
Cameron on one day ; I do not know that it
was Friday, but it was after the adjournment
of the Senate.
By Mr. Pershing. Were T.- J. Boyer and
John J Patterson on the train on that day?
I do not recollect.
Witness
By Mr. Pershing. Had you any interview
with General Cameron on that occasion in re
gard to the United States Senatorship?
Witness. I had not, neither had lan inter
view with him at Philadelphia on that subject.
By Mr. Prrshing. After you met Dr. Boyer
in the morning, did you go to the caucus at
once ?
Witness. I did immediately, and reported
to the caucus that General Cameron had called
on me with a Democratic member of the House,
who pledged himself in toy presence to vote
for General Cameron, - declaring that he had
been elected with that understanding, and
would vote for him if nominated.
By Mr. Borger. At the interview you had
at the banking house with General Cameron,
whstt reason did he give for postponing the
election ?
Witness. He gave no reason the subject
of United States Senator was incidentally in
troduced, and hut little said about it.
By Mr. Barger. Was not the meeting at
Senator Nichols' room the consequence of an
arrangement for the purpose of congulting on
the matter of the election of United States
Senator ?
Witness. So far as I was concerned, the
meeting was purely accidental ; Mr. Nichols'
room is next to mine, and we frequently in
terchange visits; upon this occasion I went
into his room without knowing that. General
Cameron wee there, or was to be there.
By Mr. Barger. Will you be good enough
to tell us if you received information from any
member of the Senate as to the probability of
Mr. Buyer voting for Simon Cameron for U.
S. Senator?
Witness. No, sir ; I never heard Dr. Boyer's
name mentioned in connection with this sub
ject until the morning of the caucus, when.,l
WAS ititrodti , t.4l to bits.
By Mr Heine. How many interviews had
you with Joon T Patterson, and what did he
say to You 0 0 tbia eubjpot
Witness. I had a m tment's interview with
John,J. Patterson upon the portico in tront of
li •rr'e Hotel, in wbiuh he inf.n med me. as a
tnemher of the Republican caucus committee,
the' Q-uern , CawtrQo would satisfy the com
mittee before the meeting of the caucus that
he could bs elected if nominated; this was
about twenty minutes before I was invited to
Patterson's room to see Dr. Boyer.
By Mr. Raise. Was there any arrangement
between you and Mr. Patterson to wait in your
room to be called for to wait on Gen. Cameron
to receive the assurance from him that he could
be elected ?
Witness. I said to Mr. Patterson at this in
terview that it was near the time for the meet
ing of the cattails, that the other members of
the committee were not here owl had likely
gone up to the caucus, and that I would detain
a short time at my room, where I could be
found if wanted.
By Mr. Kaine. Did John J. Patterson call
for you at your room shortly, and, if so, what
did he say to you ?
Witness. He called in a few minutes at my
room, and said to me that General Cameron
and a friend de3ired to see me al his (Patter
sonee) room, of whioh he he gave me the num
ber, on the next story above that I occupied,
where I went and found General Cameron and
Dr. Boyer as before stated.
By Mr. Kaine. Did Mr. Patterson accom
pany you to'fhe room indicated, and was he in
the room at all during that interview ?
Witness. He did not accompany me to the
room, nor was he in the room during the in
terview.
By Mr. Keine. Who were in the room during
that interview, and how long did the interview
last? •
Witness. General Cameron, Dr. Boyer and
myself were in the room, and the interview
lasted but a few moments.
By Mr. Pershing. Was that interview soli
cited of ypu as a friend of General Cameron,
or as chairman of the Republican caucus com
mittee ?
Witness. It was as chairman of the Repub
lican caucus committee.
By Mr. Pershing. For what purpose ?
IVitness. In order that I might convey to
the caucus the evidence given to me of his
availability for election, if nominated.
SMITM FULLER.
TESTIMONY OF ADAM WOLF.
ADAM WOLF being duly MOM, testified as
follows :
By Mr. Wakefield. Where do you reside
and what is your business at Harrisburg ?
Witness. I,reside when at home in Schuyl
kill county, and am here noting as a member
of the House of Representatives.
By Mr. Wakefield. Will you please state
what you know, if anything, in regrd to im
proper or unlawful means being used to secure
the election of an United States Senator ? State
fully all you know on that subject.
Witness. Ido not know that there was any
unlawful means employed ; about three or four
days previous to the election of the United
States Senator (one evening) I was called out
of the bar room of the Brady House by a young
man of the name of John Hammer; he spoke
to me in regard to this Senator business, and
to the best of my knowledge he asked me
whether I would go for Simon Cameron pro
viding F. W. Hughes, of Schuylkill county, was
defeated for nomination in the Democratic
caucus; we then had a good deal of conversa
tion on that subject, and what was spoken by
us both then I cannot recollect ; in his remarks
John Hammer stated to me that I could make
five thousand dollars by voting for General
Simon Cameron, and that he could make a nice
thing out of it; I told John that I had under
stood Simon to be worth five millions, and that
I would not vote for him for the whole ale;
John then insisted upon seeing me at another
time, as I was going away and had a friend
waiting oa me; the next intimation in regard
to that subject, there was a man from Schuyl- •
kill county (Benj. Gouldey I think is his name)
was relating to me about a very large lumber
speculation down South ; he told me there was
a good many thousand dollars in it which
(mild be cleared there, provided he could find
some person here with a capital who would
purchase the land ; he asked me whether I
knew a, man by the name of Harry Thomas,
who resides in Harrisburg ; I told him I was
not acquainted with the gentleman, but from
hearsay ; he then asked me if my colleague,
Mr. Graber, knew him ; I told him that Mr.
Graber had told me he had seen him quite re
cently and had had conversation with him, and
from what Graber told me he knew him quite
well; very soon after this conversation Mr.
Graber came into our room - Mr. Gouldey was
there ; we then had a good deal of conversation
there on the war and different subjects; what
all was said I cannot tell ; about the time that
gentleman (Mr. Gouldey) was about to leave,
be invited Mr. Graber and mysdlf to call that
evening at Mr. Harry Thomas's house and meet
him there ; we started to go there that evening
and went akfar as the Parke House in com
pany • with another man ; when Mr. •Graber
started from there to go I made an excuse and
did not go along ; the next morning, or a short
time after that, I got a letter endorsed from
Mr. Hammerahat he wanted to see me, I think,
at his house; I did not g 9; the next morning
after that, 'before or about 7 o'clock, this man
Hammer came to the Pennsylvania House,
where I board, and rapped at my door about
the time I was getting up ; he told me he
wanted me to go along with him ; I refused
going in the first, place ; my reason for that
was, I thought I knew what he wanted ; he
insisted on my going along ; I told him I would
first take breakfast ; he replied I could get it
where we were going, as it was ready ; we then
went down to Harry Thomas's; I was invited
to take breakfast, and did so; Gen. Cameron
came in, and I was introduced to him; he took
a chair along side of me and took breakfast
with me ; before I left the table the General
got up and left ; there were severel men there,
to the best of my knowledge, from Schuylkill
County ; one or two of them were military
men ; one of them spoke about this matter of
voting for Cameron; he said there could be a
nice thing made out of it—he was speaking to
me ; I refused voting for Cameron on any con
dition • the party then retired to the parlor,
and Harry Thomas came to me ; he in the
conversation said to me that I should go for
General Cameron and I should be well paid ;
he told, me to say how much I would take to
vote for Cameron, and said I should put down
the figures ; I declined taking anything at all ;
we then went out into his parlor, and had some
conversation, and I left ; in the prior we
talked on other subjects; Mr. Gouldey was
there.
By Mr_ Keine. Were you at Mr. Henry
Thomas's house more than once?
Witness. No, sir.
By Mr Keine. Did Mr. Hammer go into
the house and remain with you there?
Witness. Yes, sir.
By Mr. Swine. Who introduced you to
Simon Cameron there ?
Witness. Ido not recollect which of the
party did so.
By Mr. Wile, Can you tell whether it was
Mr. Hammer or Mr. Thomas
Witness.. It was one of the two but I cannot
tell which. .
By Ur, tiins. Had you any other inter
view or conversation with Mr. Thomas on this
subject than the onp you have related?
Witness None to my knowledge. •
By Mr. %Line. How much did Mr Thomas
say y ou Gould get for voting for Gen. Cameron ?
PRICE TWO CENTS.
Witness. He never stated any specific
amount.
By Mr. Kaine. Had you any other meeting
or interview with Simon Cameron than the one
at Mr. Thomas's ?
Witness
No, sir.
By Mr. Brown. With the exception of the
conversation between yourself and Mr. Thomas,
were the other gentlemen of the party present
during the conversation having reference to
the election of United States Senator ?
Witness. They were about, but I do not
know whether they heard the conversation
between me and the military man before re
ferred to.
By Mr. Brown. Did Gen. Cameron say any
thing to you about voting for him
Witness. Not a word, sir. a . •
By Mr. Brown. For what reason did you
suppose you knew what Mr. Hammer wanted
you to go with him to Thomas's for?
Witness. Because he, in a previous conver
sation at the Brady House, had told me I could
make $5,000 by voting for Simon Cameron.
By Mr. Brown. What was the inducement
for yoi to go with Mr. hammer to Mr. Thom
as's house ?
Witness. I had no other reason but because
he insisted on my going down there.
By Mr. Brown. Did you go there with the
expectation that offers would be there made
to you to vote for General Cameron ?
Witness. I expected offers would be made.
By Mr. Brown. Did you not know or be
lieve that that was the very purpose for taking
you' there ?
Witness. I had reason to believe so from
what my colleagues bad told me—Mr. Graber
and Mr. Kerns.
By Mr. Brown. Prior to your going to Mr.
Thomas's, had you any conversation or con
sultation with any one in regard to the propri
ety of going there and throwing yourself in
the way of General Cameron or his friends ?
Witness. No, sir • it was no preconcerted
plan for my going t here ; I went there of my
own accord with an old friend from Schuylkill
county, or formerly from there.
By Mr. Brown. Prior to the election, did
you know anything in regard to the course Mr.
Boyer was pursuing.
Witness. To the best of my knowledge the
first that I knew was when this exposition of
his came out in the paper.
By Mr. Brown. Do you know of any can
didate for United States Senator using money
or making promises of place or advantage to
secure a vote ?
Witness. Not any but what I have stated
previously ; I don't—l did not understand your
question. •
•
By Mr. Brown. Who is Mr. Hammer, where
does he live, and what is his business ?
Witness. From a letter which I have, I see
he signs himself John L. Hammer, and appears
to be in the office of the secretary of the Com
monwealth, and resides in this city.
TESTIMONY Or CONRAD ORABER
cowaew QRABER being duly sworn according
to law, testifies as follows :
By Mr. Koine. Where do you live, and what
is your present business ?
Witness. At Tuscarora, in Schuylkill
county; I am at present a member of the Legis
lature.
By Mr. Keine. Will you stets. eir, if you
know whether any improper influences, either
direct or indirect, were had, or attempted to be
had, to procure or induce any member of the
Legislature to vote for any particular candi
date for United States Senator ? State tally all
you know in reference thereto.
Witness. Two weeks before the session
opened, Mr. Robert Ratliff, of Tamaqua, came
to me at my store, and told me that Mr. Harry
Thomas wished to see me' as soon as I would
come to Harrisburg ; when. I came• to Harris
burg Mr. Henry Thomas met me close at the
Capitol and invited me to his house ; I went to
his house with him; he then invited me again
to come to his house that evening; in the eve
ning I went to Mr. Harry Thomas's house and
met there Mr. Kerns, of Schuylkill, (Edward
Kerns, the member,) Mr. Benjamin Gbelman,
of Schuylkill county, and Mr. John Hammer,
of Harrisburg; I was there abort an hour when
Mr. Harry Thomas said, " Gentlemen, I have
the oysters ready for you ;" we . were invited
to the dining room ; he had oysters cooked and
raw, champagne, first-rate brandy, cakes and
cheese, and a good many other luxuries; a toast
was given by Mr. John Hammer, it was—
" Here is to Simon Cameron for Senator—for
the United States Senate ;" I raid my choice
was Mr. Hughes : Mr. Harry Thomas said his
choice was Mr. Cameron for the Senate; Mr.
Hughes was a very good man, and would be
his next choice after Mr. Cameron; Mr. Harry
Thomas said,"Mr. Graber, I wish to see you in
a private room ;" I went with Mr. Thomas into
. a private room; Mr. Thomas asked me it I
could do anything for Mr. Cameron; I told Mr.
Thomas that I was sorry that he - had such a
poor opinion of me ; that he knew I was elec
ted as a Democrat, and could carry out nothing
but Democratic principles ; Mr. Thomas said,
"Graber, what does the Democratic party care
about you after your time is over ? Mr. Cam
eron has the control over a colliery where a
man can make seventy -five thousand dollars a
year; he would care nothing, and let the whole
concern, mules and all, go, provided be could
secure his election for United States Senator,
and one vote might do it ;" " Mr. Thomas," I
replied, "you have known me before for years,
and you ought not to expect anything of this
kind from me; " Mr. Thomas then excused him
self very muc h, and asked me then to make my
own fi ;urea if I could do anything ;" I told him
I could not ; he told me then that this conver
sation should be secret between me and him ;
I told him that I would say nothing; we left
the room and went out to the table again in the
dining room ; we were there a short time. when
Mr. Thomas asked Mr. Kerns, of Schuylkill
county, a member of the Legislature, to go
with him to a private room. as he wanted to see
him ; they were away a while and then came
back to the dining room ; I said, after they
came back, that it was Vme to go home ; Mr.
Kerns said he would go along; Mr. Thomas
asked me if I was acquainted with General
Caneron ; I told him no ; Mr. Thomas told me
and Mr. Kerns, '•Gentlemen, I em just now
going down to Mr. Cameron's—l wish you
would go along, so that I could introduce you
to the General ;" I excused myself, and told
Mr. Thomas that I could not go ; we were de
tained there a little while yet, then we started
to go home ; in the entry Mr. Thomas asked us
again to go down with him and see General
Cameron ; I told him I o uld not go ; when the
front door was opened Mr. Thomas said, "Gen
tlemen, here is a two horse carriage for us, it
will only take us a moment to go and see the
General ;" I told him I could not go ; I saw the
carriage standing at the door ; Mr. Thomas
then said, "I hope, gentlemen, you will came
to morrow morning, and take breakfast with
me;" I told him
. I wanted to go home in the
morning; he told me breakfast would be ready
early; Mr. Thomas asked us to cell at his house
anyhow the next morning; we went home then;
the next morning Mr. John Hammer came to
my room and asked me to go down to Mr
Thomas's house and take breaktiat ; I thanked
him for the invitation, and told him I could not
go; Mr. Hamer said, "Will you pleas, 19
SUNDAYS' NaCIPTID,
BY 0. BARRETT & CO I
TER DAILY PATRIOT .11111 UNION will be rerreffeeenb ,
scribers melding in the Borough for rur ours PIN WIEN,
payible to the Carrier. Mail enbeeribers, Fyne mLLAU
?BR ANNUM..
TER WICENLY PASSIM' AND UNION iSpnbilihed at Two
DOLLARS PRR ARNIM, invariably in advanpe. Ten eepie
to one address,fifteen dollars.
Connected with this establishment is an entenalva
JOB OFFICE, containing a variety •of plain and. fancy
type, unequal l ed 17 any estahliahnient in the interior or
the iltate, for which the patronage of the publio L No • ,
!felted.
• ,
call at Mr. Thomas's house when you go past
there I said, "I will ;" I eelled at Mr. Thom
as's house with Mr. Kerns, of Schuylkill; when
I came there they were at breakfast; * Mr.
Thomas asked me to take a drink; I told him I
could not drink anything in the morning ; Mr.
Thomas said, " Gentlemen, I make you ac
quainted with General Cameron ;" this was
before he asked us to drink; I told Mr. Thomas
we would have to leave, as it was car time ;
Mr. Thomas then.insisted on taking a drink ;
I told him I could not take anything; Mr.
Kerns then said, "I will drink for myself and
Mr. Graber;" then we left for the cars; Gen
eral Cameron was taking breakfast at Mr.
Thomas's that morning ; Mr. Wolf, the mem
ber from Schuylkill, was sitting on the - right
band side of Mr. Cameron, taking breakfast
also, and there• were other persons there ; this
was after the meeting of the Legislature, and
before the election of the United States Sena
tor ; I never, at any time, had any engem--
flan with General Cameron ; I was well acquain
ted with Mr. Thomas, Mr. Hatoliff and Mr.
Hammer before I came to Harrisburg.; I at one
time worked a colliery in Schuylkill county, of
which Mr. Thomas was engineer for the com
pany from which Graber & Wagner had leased.
By Mr. Keine. What time in the. evening
was it that the carriage was standing at Mr.
Thomas's door?
Witness. It was about bed time ; about ten
o'clock; I cannot tell the -time exactly.
EDWARD KERNS being duly sworn according;
to law, testifies as follows :
By Mr. Kahle. Where do you. reside, and
what is your present business here.
Witness. I reside in Schuylkill county, and:
am here as a member of the Legislature.
By Mr. Kaine. Were you present at the
opening of the present session of the Legis late
Lure, and if so, how long befoire 2
Witness. I was present at the opening and'
a few days before ; I don't think more than two ,
days.
By Mr. Kaine. After the meeting of the-
Legislature, and before the election of United
States Senator, were you -at the residenge of
Mr. Henry Thomas, in this city, and if so, how
often, and what other members of the Legisla
ture were with you ?
Witness. I was there twice; Flints there
once at nightand then the next morning ; Mr.
Oraber was there each time; when r went
there first I went alone, but Mr. Graber came
in a few moments afterwards ; the next .timo
Mr. Graber went with me, and we' only stayed
a few moments.
By Mr. Koine. Oa the evening you passed
at Mr. Thomas's had you and. Mr. Thomas any
conversation on the subject of the election of
United States Senator, and if so, what did he
say to you ; give every word as near as you
recollect, and what did you say. to him .'. you
will state fully all that occurred on. that-sub
ject ?
ADAM WOLF.
Witness. I don't recollect of Mr. Thomas
saying anything at all on that subject that
night; he did invite me to go to General Cam
eron's
By Mr. Kai. For what purpose: did• he
invite you to go to General Cameron's ?
Witness_ That Ido not recollect ;he said
something to me about a contract on the Ly.
kens Valley railroad ; I am a railroad oontrac
tor.
By Mr. Rhine. Did you eat supper at Mr
Thomas's that night ?
Witness. I did, sir.
By Mr. Seine. During supper was anything
said about the election of United States Sena
tor, and if so, what ?
Witness. The first that I heard anything
said was a toast which was given, "To Simon
Cameron, our next Senator ;" I then deolined
drinking my wine, saying to the persons there
that they might poison us ; this I said jo
kingly; there was one of the party who had a
glass of wine who said, in fun, "Here, Kerns,
take mine, if you think there is poison is that,"
and I replied, "No, I will take no more• te•
night "
By Mr. gain. Did you, after supper, go
into a private room with Mr. Thomas, and
have a. private conversation with him on the
subject of the election of United States Sena
tor ?
Witness. I went into a side room ; the-door
was open ; I do not know that we had any con
versation about United States Senator; . , the
conversation was about having an interview
with Simon Cameron the next morning.
By Mr. Koine. Did you return to Mr.
Thomas's the next morning, and if so, did you
meet Mr. Cameron there ?
Witness, Yes, sir; I returned the next
morning, perhaps a half hour later than I had
told him the night previous I would ;. Mr. Cam
eron was . at the breakfast table,.and a. party of
gentlemen at breakfast ; I only recollect the
name of one—Mr. Wolf, my colleague.
By Mr. Kaine. How did you first come to
go to Mr. Thomas's house—by invitation, and
from whom ? State particularly all about it. .
Witness. By invitation from Mr. Thomas :
he came to me in the hall of the House, and
invited me to come down and have a glass of
wine with him; that he knew of ea important
piece of railway to be let, and wished to talk
with me on the subject.
By Mr. Keine. What conversation had you
then afterwards with him OS the 'subject of the
railway contract ?
Witness. If we had any conversation it was
that the contract was to be made the next
morning at breakfast ; I declined coming to
Intakfast.
By Mr. Keine. What was the substance and
purport of your OOtorettlat/011 on the subject of
this railway contract ?
Witness. The subject was that I would re
alize something handsome out of the contraet,
probably fifty thousand dollars. •
By Mr. K.aine. Can you state definitely,
where this railway was, and from who you
were to get the contract?
Witness. I cannot, sir ; that is' what I was
trying to get at, as I wanted to mike fifty
thousand dollars out of each a contract.
By Mr. Kaine. You have said that your
conversation with Mr. Thomas in the side room
that evening had reference to going down to
see General C:- . meron ; please state for• what
purpose you were going to see Gen. Cameron ?
Witness. Ido not recollect what was the
purpose, unless it was about this railway con
tr.ict ; and there was nothing said about the
United States Senator.
By Nix. Ktine. Did you understand from
Mr. Thomas that Mr. Cameron had any control
over this railway contract
witness. I think not, sir.
By Mr. Kaine. Did you understand from
Mr. Thomas that Mr. Caineron could or would
exercise any influence towards getting You this
contract ?
Wi+nese. I think there was something said
in relation to that:
By Mr. Boise Neale state what W Elsi 4
in reference to that
Witness. I think that at our meeting the
next morning the matter would be all ex
plained, it was said
By Mr. Seine. Was it understood between
you awl Mr. Thomas that Mr. Cameron was to
be present at the meeting the next morning I
Witness. NO. sir, Mr. Cameroo's u(1411, vu
PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING,
CONRAD GBAIMIV.
TESTIMONY OP EDWARD /TERNS