Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-21
INVESTIGATION OF THE CHARGES oil
BRIBERY IN zQE RIOT BILL.

| INVESTIGATION OF THE CHARGES or
BRIBERY IN z1E RIOT BILL.
HARRIsBURG, PA, May 1.-The first
session of the House Committee ap'
pointed to investigate the charges OF
Mr.. Wolfe, member OF the Legisla-
ture to the effect that corrupt means
were employed in the attempted
passage of the Riot Claims bill, was
held with closed doors on Tuesday
evening. The bill was known as House
bill 1903, and it purpose to appropriate
s4,0O0,000 to reimburse the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company for loses oc-
casioned by the riots in the summer of
1877. The evidence thus far produced
tends to show that William Ii. Kemble,
OF "Additon, Division, and Silence"
notoriety, was and an active middle
man between the corporation to be
benefited and the members ready to
be approached.
When theCommittee met on Tuesday
evening, all of the members were pres
ent, and throng of spectators was IN
the room. A brief consultation OF the
Committee was held, after which Rep
resentative Gatchell, Chairman of the
Committee, requested everybody to re
tire, in order that the Committee
mittee might hold private confer
ence. After three quarters of an hour
the doors were open long enough fol
the announcement TO be made that tht
session would be made secret. Thii
course was determined upon by th'
votes OF Committeeman Gatchell
Rhodes and Doyle, against the protes
and vote OF Wolfe.
William IL. Kemble was called. Hi
examination occupied an hour ant
half He was sharpley question By
Mr.. Wolfe. At the close of his exam
ination he hurried from the Com
mittee to his quarters in the Brad,
House.
On the following day the question @
opening the doors OF the Committe
Room was raised IN the House b,
I members who wished to have a publ
: examination, and after series Q
stormy scenes it was agreed that mem
bers should have public hearing
they desired it. A throng was pres
ent tthe session OF the Committee il
the evening. G. l.. Magee, Pitts
Cd burgh Fire Commissioner and a well
y, known politica! manager, was ques
toned. To the printed questions h
gave negative answer In answer t
further questions he said that he ba
}, paid newspapers for publishing article
iavoring the bill, and had given t
Burton, a member of the House,
check for s77, to pay, as he supposed
for publishingsuch notices. Hethough
he could produce the checks that h
had given, and the Committee CAV
5, him till next Tuesday to find thei
Charles b. Salter, Secretary OF th
Committee on Ways and Means CAV
negative answers to all of the reguli
ton questions, and said that he ha
not carried messages for Kcmble in r.
4, gard to the Riot Claims bill. NJ
1.-..vsi soi, a mcnIper VI the House d.
clined to be sworn, saying that
sworn he must prefer charges again
a member of the Committee.
Mr.. Wolfe advised him TO 90 @
., with his charges; but Rumberg,
still declined to be sworn and said thi
he was terribly upset" He VIZ
allowed to go, with the understapdin
that he would testify on the followin
day.
Representative Graf was swor
He answered "No" to the printe
questions till he came to the last. II
testified that he met Salter on Ii
oS oS train going to Philadelphia while th
Riot Claims bill was pending, an
after some conversation in regard
the bill Salter said: an see you" {
i, something of similar import. II
- testified that later he took some bee
and walk with Salter in Harrisburg
and Salter said that some people wh
would be benefited by tho passage
the Riot Claims bill had raised fun,
out of which Kemble, Quay and Other
would pay $500 for vote in favor
Il, the bill, and $1,000 for vote and
speech, adding ave do not expet
you TO make speech, but have agree
on $1,000 for you. 1t is to offer q
amendment that oil shall not be ta,
cd" He then proposed to introduC
Graf to Kemble and Quay, but sale
/. "You mustn't say anything to Qua
about money. The introduction I
Kemble and Quay took place in IL
Office OF the Secretary of the Con
W. monwealth, On the day of Graf
examination Salter met him, and bein
told that he was summoned to testii
said:
"You needn't say anything abo,
mo MS | didn't offer you any money
The witness voted against the bill an
testified that he entertained these n
gotiations merely out of curiost,
Representatives. J.B.White testified thl
Saltcr advised him to vote for tho bi
and told him that he would find il
his advantage to go over and 8,
'them," in any event. He vote
against the bill.
Myron II. Silverthornc, a represent
tive from Erie, was called, and h
story was told without hesitation. Il
testified that about the I'd of Apr
W. F. Rumbergcr, Reprcsentati,
from Armstrong, approached him wit
the question;
"Would you like to make son
money!"