with money; that the said Dilworthy sent for him to come to his room in

the hotel at night, and he went; was introduced to Mr. Dilworthy; called

two or three times afterward at Dilworthy's request--usually after

midnight; Mr. Dilworthy urged him to vote for him Noble declined;

Dilworthy argued; said he was bound to be elected, and could then ruin

him (Noble) if he voted no; said he had every railway and every public

office and stronghold of political power in the State under his thumb,

and could set up or pull down any man he chose; gave instances showing

where and how he had used this power; if Noble would vote for him he

would make him a Representative in Congress; Noble still declined to

vote, and said he did not believe Dilworthy was going to be elected;

Dilworthy showed a list of men who would vote for him--a majority of the

legislature; gave further proofs of his power by telling Noble everything

the opposing party had done or said in secret caucus; claimed that his

spies reported everything to him, and that--

Here a member of the Committee objected that this evidence was irrelevant

and also in opposition to the spirit of the Committee's instructions,

because if these things reflected upon any one it was upon Mr. Dilworthy.

The chairman said, let the person proceed with his statement--the

Committee could exclude evidence that did not bear upon the case.

Mr. Noble continued. He said that his party would cast him out if he

voted for Mr. Dilworthy; Dilworthy said that that would inure to his

benefit because he would then be a recognized friend of his (Dilworthy's)

and he could consistently exalt him politically and make his fortune;

632

The Gilded Age