Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-02
PITTSBURGH RIOT BILL.
Investigation of the Bribery
Charges.

HARRISBURG, Nav 1.-The riot bribery
committee last night examined, among
other witnesses, Representatives Graf,
White, Silverthorn, Carton, Wolf and
Short. Graft testified that he had been
offered 81 900 for his vote by Chas. b.
Salter, and that ex-State Treasurer Kem-
BILE said he would see the arrangement
was carried out Silverthorn said Rep
resentative Rumberger had offered him
$3.50, and that Kemble promised to
make it good. Graft did not accept the
bribe, and voted constantly in Opposi-
ton to the bill. SilyerthOrn played the
part of q detective. Wolf and Short
confirmed Crafts testimony, and said
they were constantly apprised OF his
movements. Rumberger refused to tes-
tify, claiming that his mental condition
would not warrant it.
Representative Silverthorn, OF Erie,
Pa, said that Representative Humber
ger had approached him and said he
would see that ne got $3.50 if he voted
for the bill. Silverthorn determined to
expose the corruption, and at the in
stance of two of the leading enemies OF
the BILL he played the detective. He
was taken by Rumberger in the pres
ence of Kemble, who said that he would
see that any consideration offered would
be paid. Silverthorn kept his friends
constantly posted as to his movements,
and consented even to vote on All i'm
pOrtant amendment 10 serve his pur-
pose. He produced q note from Kem-
BILE, which created a sensation, bringing
TO mind the famous addition, division
and silence" letter of the gentleman. 1t
was a note addressed to the chairman OF
the Ways and Means Committee, and
read:
"DEAR CIsr: Try and pair all our alb
sentees. SilyerthOrne will have short
pair with Kincaid. "W. h. X"
Another member testified that q lob
byist told him it would be to his inter
est to see Kemble and Quay. Rumberger
refused to testify, claiming that he could
not collect his thoughts. lie Will be
called tomorrow night.
HARRIsBURa, May 1.-The investiga-
ton of the charges OF corrupt means
employed to pass the Pittsburgh Riot
Bill through the lower branch OF the
Pennsylvania Legislature, was con-
tinued tonight.
Speaker Long denied that his election
as Speaker of the House had any con-
nection with the introduction OF the
bill. Kettle, of Columbia county, tes-
titled that Representative Smith, OF
Philadelphia, had informed him that
there was money for voting for the bill,
and wanted to take him to see
a man who would fix 1t.
Mr.. Watson, of Mercer county, testified
that Representative PetrOf, of Philadel-
phia, in conversation with him told him
that there was money in the bill for
those who voted for it, and wanted him
to have some of it. Mr.. Cargill, of Sus-
quehanna county, testified that he re-
ceived three propositions from Jesse
Crawford, an emplOye on public
grounds, TO vote for the bill. The first
was for $500, the second for $500,
and the last for $1,000. He wanted
to take him TO see William II.
Kemble and fix the matter. EX-Repre-
sentative Charles b. Salter, OF Philadel-
phia, made similar Overtures, and told
him that Kemble and Matt Quay, Sec
retary of the Commonwealth, would be
responsible for the money, and that 1t
would be paid after the bill passed its
second reading. Kirk, of Schuylkill
county, testified that 5000 had been
offered him to give an editorial endorse
ment in his weekly paper. Lewis Emery,
of Mexican county, testified at
length, showing by letters, tele-
grams and conversations he had bad
with Quay, counsel for the Pennsylya-
MIA Railroad and other prominent peO-
pie, that the oil delegation were prom
ised legislation for the relief of the oil
country if they would vote for the bill.
The prorused legislation was to be in the
shape of an endorsement Of the Reagan
anti-discrimination bill and the free pipe
bill, besides that no tax should be levied
on the oil product. These overtures
,vnra raiagtal