Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1879 — THE ALLEGED CINCINNATI ELECTION FRAUDS. [ARTICLE]

THE ALLEGED CINCINNATI ELECTION FRAUDS.

John Frizzle, Democrat, testified on the 28th that Mr. Taylor, Deputy Marshal, gave him five dollars to give to one McCarthy, Democrat. for electioneering for the Republican ticket. Taylor said the five dollars was for McCarthy’s services on election day. Pat McCarthy tcetified that he saw George Clemens, Deputy Marshal, offer a ticket to a man. Witness acknowledged that he had been arrested for perjury. On the 29th, tfifc committee examined 8. H. Drew, Prosecuting Attorney, who testified that O. L. Francis, a private detective of Covington, Ky., bad thirty-seven men under bis charge on election-day, watch imr the polls in Cincinnati to prevent the work of Kentucky reK a ter*; the men were employed and paid bv the ipnblican Campaign Committee. Witness stated that these men were employed on account of the experience of the Republicans at tbe election of 1876. Witness’ impression was that Kentucky men were placed in the river ward*; they were assigned by Francis in the morning; did not thinK any of them voted; they were probably not of the best class of Covington society; didn t know that any of them had ever been arrested or convicted. Witness said he was familiar with the memorial and affidavits; he examined Mr. Follitt before the Grand Jury. and ho said he signed the memorial on account of tbe affidavits. Witness said that after the memorial had been presented to Congress he subpceqaAd all the signers, and all the parties who miure' affidavits, to appear before the Grand Jury: all the former appeared except Mr. Hill, who was absent from the city; did not get all the affidavit-makers. Witness asked the memorialists what they knew of each of the charges of the memorial, and every witness, ov nearly every witness, swore they knew nothing about the charges Many of the affidavit-makers swore their affidavits bad been alteiei beyond recognition. [At the suggestion of Mr. Conger, Mr. Drew here stated m substance what eacb witness said before the Grand Jury.] The witness then said notone of the memorialists confirmed a single one of the allegations before the Grand Jury, and the jury, which had subpccnaed sevtnty-tive witnesses, failed to find a true bill. James Healy was the next witness. He saw tbe Supervisors in the Sixteenth Ward handling tickets; Mr. Worth was Supervisor; the latter opened a ticket that a parry handed in. and asked him if that was the ticket he intended to vote; witness heard objection to this proceeding, and offered to make an objection himself, but was pushed aside by a policeman. The ticket opened was. that of a nqm who was challenged, and was afterward put to the box. Peter Ky an and Andrew Rogers testified substantiallv as Heaiy old. Patrick O'Neil, a policeman, testified that he Baw Supervisor Ferry handle nineteen ballots in the Second Precinct of the Twentieth Ward, and save an account of a trouble between Ferry and 'olico-Licutenant Brady, for which the latter was trieu in the United States Court and convicted.

GazzanGanotestified, on the 30th alt, that he was President of the Hamilton County Executive Committee in the last Congressional campaign; money appropriated for the campaign was Bhpposed to pass through .the Treasurer’s hands; did not know who the Marshals were before their appointment; Mr. Foraher requested Committee to Buggest good names for bupervisors; witness heard Mr. Francis was to have some men from Kentucky to prevent repeating by men from that State; don’t know who paid the men; don’t know who selected them; does not kndw that the Congressmen were furnished money by the Campaign Committee. Witness furnished the Campaign Committee with $2,600, to be distributed among ninety-three precincts; six or eight thousand dollars are usually distributed in similar campaigns; the $2 600 covered the expenses of stands, speakers, ticket-holders, etc.; a great deal was spent in advertising and billposting. Mr. Drew was recalled and said he told the Superintendent of the Custom-House that if he (witness) recommend men for* work on that building they would have to be Republicans, or men who would work for that ticket; didn’t think he ever recommended Democrats on condition that they would vote the Republican ticket. James Eagan (Democrat) testified that he electioneered for Butterworth; previously had met Mr. Butterworth at the Gibson Bouse; Butterworth told witness he was expecting money from Washington; brought men to see Butterworth to arrange to have them work tor him; they were to get two dollars down and twentyfonr dollars when the work was completed; Bntterworth said he didn't care who else they worked for so they worked for him and ’Squire McCullom; Butterworth gave witness fifty dollars in all; witness saw him give money to several men; Mr. Butterworth had a satchel in hill carriage; the money was taken out of that; saw five men vote in the Fifth Ward; three of them afterward voted in other precincts of the sime ward; they told witness they had Republican tickets; spent the fifty dollars spreeing among the boys; some ten days ago witness met Buttterworth. and talked about this investigation; Butterworth asked witness to come and see him at the office; witness went, bathe was ont; William McAllister showed witness a letter that he said was from N. Butterworth, in which he stated that he did not think witness would make an affidavit that he had sold myself like a hog to Mr. Butterworth; did not attempt to bribe or corrupt anybody; didn’t promise to try and prevent repeating against Voting; was afraid of the Deputy Marshals; was told that ,if he made an affidavit it would help Gus Clark and Buck Brady out of trouble; Tom Shaw drew up the affidavit; witness was given $2 for making it; did not buy any votes for Mr. Butterworth; Butterworth asked him how many men wuiked in the shop, and how much, vhey would cost; don't know that he meant anything about buying votes; took an interest in Butterworth’* candidacy on account of money that he paid him; would ha re worked for the other side for the same amount. In the cross-examination, witness acknowledged having made numerous false statements to parties asking him about the affidavit, but insisted that his statements here given are true.

Mr. Butterworth testified on the 31st ult. that the Campaign Committee did not give him a nickel for the campaign; received from other sources $2,500; told his friends he could not afford to wccep; the nomination to Congress, and they replied that they would furnish the necessary funds; received from Colonel Robinson, at Columbus, $1,600 and SI,OOO from the neigborhood of Ciuciunati; never received a cent from Washington; Never beard that $5,000 was sent from Washington; called on Eugene Hale when in Cincmnati, expecting to receive aid, bat did not get a cent; never received money from Judge Gorham; oould have spent much more than $25.00) for legitimate campaign expenses; had no list of persons whom be employed: never kept a list of foremen of shops; uid not give toe - foreman of Chamberlain’s foundry $250; had known Eph Holland some time; was informed that Holland and Duffy were not with the Democrats; replied that if they did not “stuff” or "repeat’’ iu the Fourth or Eighth Ward, he (witnees) Would be elected; Colonel Weitxelaaid that Holland and 'Duffy could prevent it; met Holland; asked him if it was possible to hold a fair election dn tbs Fourth Ward; he said it was possible. but not usual; asked him if he would undertake to stop repeating or stuffing in that ward in the interest of the Republicans; be said he would for 3300 or $400: refused to give it; be finally agreedt»do it for $150; witness didn't meet him again until after tha electioh, when he paid Holland three SSO demurred, and wanted sio more; either WeltaeLor witness paid it afterward at the Gikfion House; witness never heard of $250 being given to Holland or Duffy; never took any stepsMta send Holland to prison or to prevent his going thore; saw Holland first at the Gibson House; again on the morning of the election.aud the night of tbe .eJ ! ectitin..aod the day after; witness didn't remember that Holland was ever itrhis office; witness was over in Covington before the election, with his wife, to see a sick relative; was not In a saloon there, and never sent any one there in his interest.

Harris, who made an affidavit aa Co frauds, testified on tbe Ist that be did not •ay be eaw Francis with fifteen men on election day; there were statements in tba affidavit which be did not make, and Shay had put in thincs which witness did not authorize Mm to; witness deified making a majority of the statements in the affidavit as rend by Mr. Brown. Patrick Boland. City Marshal of Covington, Ky.. testified as to the character of certain Kentuckians who were alleged to have been brought from Covington by Francis. Borne were of pretty good ohiuacter; others rather dubious. John a. Goodwin testified aa to the character of tbe Kentuckians brought over bv Francis, and gave the majority rather a good character.