Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-19
News by Telegraph
FROM ALL QUARTERS.
BRIBERY IN THR CASH.
Attempts To Buy Up Can
adam Lawmakers.
THE MONEY HANDED OVER
And The Bribers Held To
Answer.
THE RELIEF OF GREEDY.
A Protest Against Private
Searching Parties.
THE RELIEF OF GREEDY.
A Protest Against Private
Searching Parties.
NEW DOMINION.

Attempt to Buy Up LeR1slaIOrs-AC Charge
That Creates Considerable Excitement
Hearings In the Matter.
TORONTO, March 18.-In the Legislature
last night the Speaker stated that he had re-
ceived communications from Messrs. Balfour
and McKim, members of the House, the
former enclosing the sum of $500 and the
latter 81 900 which the writer's asserted had
been paid them respectively on the under
standing that they would vote with the oppo-
sition. The Speaker amidst great excitement
counted out 81, 800 on the clerks table. The
letters charged one ]. A. Wilkinson and F.
A. Kirkland as the parties who offered the
bribts. A committee was appointed to in
vestigate the affair.
The conspiracy to overthrow the Ontario
government by means of bribing their sup
porters has caused tremendous sensation
here and is the sole topic of conversation.
The Committee on Privileges and Elections
met to-day to take action in the matter. A
large number of persons were present all
anxious to hear what developments were
forthcoming. DR.. Bowling, member for
South Renfrew, stated that he saw one J. A.
Wilkinson in the Walker house last Thurs
day. Wilkinson told him that he and Bunt-
ing, managing director of the Mail, had just
returned from Ottawa with $40, 900 with
which they intended to buy some of the
governments supporters. He offered Dow
ling So 900 if he would vote against the gov
eminent and SO, 900 additional if he would
resign his seat and enable an oppositionist to
secure it. Wilkinson wanted him
to see Bunting. Downing saw Bunting
in the Mail Office that afternoon.
Bunting told him he had been to Ottawa,
that Sir John Macdonald was as lively as
cricket and good for another ten years and
assured him that he was very foolish not to
come in with the Conservative party. Bunt-
ing then made him similar offers as those
made by Wilkinson. On several occasions
Wilkinson, F. A. Kirkland and one Lynch
had called on him at his hotel and talked
about the business. Lynch wanted to bet
him 81, 900 that he would not vote against
the government. Kirkland offered him the
same inducements offered by Wilkinson and
Bunting. w. D. Balfour, member for
South Essex, stated tat on Tuesday last
Kirkland explained to him about a timber
district at Thunder Bay IN which Kirkland
was interested. Kirkland wanted certain
amendments to the timber regulations which
the present commissioner, VINO could not
accede to Kirkland, offered to spend $40, 600
in having the amendments passed. If Bal
four would make a speech in the House
against the government he would be paid for
it. BE (Kirkland) did not consider it as
bribery. He had been used to it in the
United States legislatures, having spent
SAC, 900 in getting timber act through the
Wisconsin legislature. He wanted to pay
Balfour 81 600 then and would pay another
81, 900 when the business was fin,
| ished. On Sunday Kirkland came to
Balfour's room while he was in bed
and gave him ten 300 bills which he said
he had Just received from Wilkinson. On
Monday, yesterday Wilkinson gave Balfour
$500 in bank bills. Balfour consulted the
cabinet and placed the money in the Speakers
hand with last nights results. A sub COM
mittee was then appointed to look into the
precedents in cases of this kind. They will
report to the full committee tomorrow if
possible.
The police coat was crowded to-day when
the case came up for a hearing. F. A. Kirk
land, John A. Wilkinson, Edward A. Meek
and @. W. Bunting were arraigned. Counsel
| for the prisoners applied for an adjournment,
which was granted until Friday. Bail was
refused. The prisoners counsel gave notice
that he would apply for writ of habeas
| corpus.