The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-02-21
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 81
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE BRIBERY INVESTIGA--
TION.
The Case of Bartholomew
Wentworth of Berwick.
A JOKE MAGNIFIED INTO A
CRIME.
Alleged Briber and Bribed Both Of
the Same Party.
Especial Dispatch to the Press. ]

AUGUSTA, Feb. 2O.-The initial hearing be
fore the bribery investigating committee this
afternoon drew large number of spectators.
1t took place in Representatives Hall. The
testimony OF Wentworth of South Berwick,
whom the Fusionists have claimed was ap-
preached with bride of $500 in gold and $40
day for forty days If he would not take his
scat at the organization of the legislature, was
decidedly mixed, and Wentworth himself
finally admitted that Kicker might have been
joking when he spoke of the matter. Kicker
testified that his business with Wentworth was
about exchanging horses and nothing else, and
that what he had said to him about making
some money by staying away from the legisla-
ture was said in joking way and that they
had frequently joked about such things before
He said that the only information he had If
anybody being bought was what he had read
in the newspapers; that he had no money to
buy anybody, and that he had never had any
conversation with anybody about buying any
body. He testified that he was now a Green
hacker, but had been Democrat all his life.
There was no attempt to controvert Ricker's
statement which was made in an honest,
straightforward manner. and the Fusion MEM
bers of the committee were satisfied that this
charge of bribery was without foundation.
The Swan and Hartman charges against
Wallace r. White were then taken up. White
was not present, but was represented by his
counsel Joseph Baker of Augusta and L. T.
Carleton of Winthrop. The testimony of A.
S. Kimball of Waterford, who was the first
witness, was of no consequence. j. o. White
of Wilton, one of the chief witnesses of the
Fusionists, then started in to testify when the
question arose whether he should be permitted
to 60 on and tell his story ad libitum without
any regard to the rules on the admissibility of
evidence, or whether the rules as practiced in
the courts should govern. ingalls,, one of the
Fusion members of the committee, and a
lawyer, wanted the witness to testify regard
less of any rules. In other words he wanted
to introduce hearsay evidence and other testi-
mony which was not germane. He lost his
temper and declared that if testimony was to
be taken as it is in court OF law, he would
have nothing more to do with the matter
Plaisted, another Fusion member, said he was
no lawyer, but he didn't want to be gagged
Swan of Minot, who was present as witness,
undertook to explain tho rules governing the
taking of evidence, and to bullrag the CON-
mittee, when McCusick, one of the Republ-
can members of the committee, told him to sit
down, and Swan subsidized. For nearly two
hours the question was discussed by the com.
mittee and then it was decided that the adj
mission of testimony should be governed by
the same rules as are practised in the courts.
The committee then adjourned to Friday next
This decision Of the committee has evidently
nonplussed the Fusionists, defeating as it has
their design to introduce hearsay evidence,
which would not be admissible under the well
known rules which have been universally
adopted by courts because they were not only
found to be convenient but absolutely essential
to the ascertainment of the truth.
ITO the Associated Press.]
AUGUSTA, Feb. 20.-The bribery committee
OF the House held session this afternoon
T 70 case of Bartholomew Wentworth, repre-
sentative from South Berwick, was taken up.
He testified that Kicker came to his house on
the Sd of January and offered him 5000 if
ne would stay away from the legislature. The
next day he called and offered him $500 in
gold and $40 day for forty days if he would
not go near the legislature. He did not pro-
pose to offer him any money and he saw none
in his possession. Afterwards he was accosted
by several perstns who asked him if he had
been bought. Kicker testified that he was on
familiar terms with Wentworth. Went often
to his house. On the occasion referred to he
went to Wentworth's house or the purpose of
trading horses with him and b. son. The talk
about the money and Wentwo-h's stayins
away from the legislature was sinAly Joking
and was founded on newspaper rep.ts that
money was being offered to members. re had
no money to offer to any one and belonge. to
the same political party as Mr.. Wentwor.,.
The talk about $40 ,ceek was made in refe,
erence to hauling lumber and wood. The da
on which Mr.. Wentworth left for Augusta
MT. - -,.---''ferr Went" orth s sQr
The case of Wallace R. White wa, - TAX
en- up. L. T. Carleton appear Mr. White
sickness. The case II lived the alleged brib-
cry of Swan and r,.friman, members of the
House. A. r-mball of Waterford testified
simply to 90, zig W. R. White come out of Mr.
Blaine's 4 Tuesday forenoon and proceed in
the lection of the Augusta House. + n
,'1iite was proceeding to testify in regard To
conversation he had with W. R. White. bu,
the committee deemed that it had no refereno.
Whatever to the Hartman Swan case and Tho
committee ruled it out. The comittee then cd.
Journed to Friday afternoon next at 2 O'Clock
when it is expected that Mr.. White w;l, h.,
present.