Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-21

ing, but out OF respect for you I've in
creased the amount $3.50. While
giving his testimony Silverthorne said
"Rumbcrger made me promise never
TO tell, but of course lied about that"
When he reported these things toWolfe
and Short, they told him to go ahead.
Hovoted for the bill on the second read
ing, but the money was not paid. He
complained, and was told that Kemble
had gone home. He said that if he
didn't get the money hc would not
vote for the bill again. Wolfe had
told him to get part of the money as
evidence. Soon afterward he told Rum
berger ho would not vote for the bill
again, and. Rumberger then denied
that he had ever offered him money.
Silverthorne further testified that, at
his first interview with Kemble, the
latter gave him note to Elisha Davis,
of the House. He never delivered it,
and now produced the original, as fol-
lows:
DEAn LIsHE; Try and pair all our absentees.
silverthorue will try and pair kincaide with
Short, W. II. X.
Silverthorne asked Short to pair ac-
cording to this arrangement, but Short
wouldn't do it.
The Committee met tonight in the
House of Representatives. Joseph B.
Knittle, Representative from Columbia
county, testified that in the early stage
of this bill he had been approached by
George +. Smith, member from Phil
adelphia, who said that all who voted
for its passage would be paid, and that
$500 were being offered for each vote.
Subsequently the sum was increased
to 81 900 and still later promises were
made for larger amount not specified,
promising that Col. Elisha Davis, a
member from Philadelphia, would ar
; range il. As his vote was not in the
market for sale, he never saw Mr..
Davis about it.
Harry Watson, a member from
T Mercer county, testified that Emile j..
Petrofi, a member from Philadelphia,
: who, in 1876, was expelled from the
House for corruption in connection
with the boom BILL told him that
money was being paid. He promised
that if Watson would join what he
called the "Rooster Gang" ho could
make money out of it. Last night,
Petroff again saw Watson and begged
him not report this conversation to the
Committee, but to answer "No" to all
questions. In most humble manner
and almost crying he called upon him
as Free Mason TO protect him.
John Wesley Cargill, member from
Susquehanna county testified that two
different persons had sought to intro
duce him to William II. Kemble, Jesse
r. Crawford, Assistant Superintendent
of PublicGrounds, offered him first 5000
afterward $500, and again 81, 600 to be
/ paid by Kemble. Charles P. Salter
ex-member from Philadelphia, ther
offered Cargill $500 for his vote, and a
: anotner interview he promised 1000
with an amendment to the bill provid
/ ing that farmers should not be taxed
This money was to be paid after the
D bill had finally passed the House, and
r he was to be guaranteed by William
/ H. Kemble and Matthew S. Quay
! Secretary of the Commonwealth
, Col. Rumberger, an Armstrong Rep.
, resentative, was unable, on account ol
illness, to give testimony. He had
. already stated to Silverthorne, of Erie
| that Kemble had offered him 81 500
0 at the same time seeking to bribc Sill
Q verthornc, introducing him to Kemble
. for that purpose. Chairman Gatchel
said that unless Rumberger improved
D soon he would be unable to appear for
r O week.
. Further testimoncy developed the
r fact that wholesale purchase of news
papers had been made through the
} State, at ten cents per line for reading
( notices and 5000 for editorials. KEN
Bile bought the members, and CHRIS
) Magee, of Pittsburgh bought the press
{ Mr.. Kirk, who is the representative
| from Schuylkill county and owner and
and editor of the West SchuylkiU Press
had been indirectly offered this amount
, by Magee's messenger.
: By far the most important testimony
> was offered by Lewis Emery, Jr. repre-
: sentative from Mexican county. He
: has been long identified with the pc.
D troleum interests as producer, and is
0 member Of the Producers Protective
/. Union. While the Riot bill was on
8 second reading, he received a telegram
: from B. B. Campbell's home at Par
7 nassus, near Pittsburgh. There he
met George Shiras, counsel for the city
of Pittsburgh, in its claim for REIN
bursomcnt by this bill. Shiras agreed
! that il the oil delegation would sup
+ port the Riot bill, Free Pipe law
. would be enacted, together with anti
I discrimination measure which tho oil
, producers have been seeking for ten
D years. lie further promised that the
0 tax on petroleum, commonly called the
derrick tax, requiring producers to
secure license before drilling upor
y their own lands, should not be imposed
! The license fec amounting TO 81 800 il
in effect almost a prohibition, and has
, been held over the heads of tho oil
Q delegation as cudgcl to force then
; into support of tho Riot bill and tb,
spoiliation Ct tho Treasury. The
e guarantee came through Shiras from
Hampton, counsel Tor the Pennsylvania
Railroad. This railway further prom
, iscd its influence TO secure the passag,
( of the Reagen interstate Commerce
+ bill through Congress. But the oil
delegation stood up to the rack and rc