Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-02-05
Attempt to Bribe.

Delegate nAfI, OF MdIlph OvU"'i
made the accusation before the JOINT As
sembly that he had been approached by one
Stollings, Republican and Senate Com
mittee Clerk, and profered bride to vote
for Gen. Golf, committee was appointed
to investigate. We append the first days
investigation:
At 2:S0 D. m. the committee appointed to
investigate the charges of bribery preferred
by Mr.. Harr, met in the room of the Senate
Committee on Judiciary. An organization
was formed by electing Senator Price chair
man.
Delegate d. NJ. Harr was the first witness
called. He told the story of the attempted
bribery in substantially the same form as
stated in his communication. 1t appeared,
however, that the communication which
had been hastily drawn up by Col. St. Clair
on information furnished him through a
third party, was not entirely correct. These
errors Mr.. Harr himself pointed out and
corrected. His story was to the effect that
on the Sunday succeeding the meeting OF
the Legislature, Stollings INVITED him to
take walk. While walking Stollings sug-
gested that he HAIR had been fool for
allowing opportunities to make money slip
bv. as he had done last winter. Harr pre-
tended to agree with him, and Stollings
then said that he thought something could
be easily made at this session. After iuT-
Their general talk Stollings made an appoint
ment to meet Harr in the committee room
on the next Monday or Tuesday The meet
ing occurred, and Stollings said he could
get 81 900 for Karr if he would vote fol-
Golf. Harr told him that was not enough,
and Stollings then said that he would 60
and see Gofi himself about the matter. The
next day thew met in the same committee
room. and this time Mr.. Stollings announc-
that he was prepared to offer 81, 500 and the
appointment as State Mine Inspector. HarI
questioned his ability to give the appoint
ment. and Stollings declared that he would
guarantee it
Harr said he would make 10 promises
Several other meetings were held, and on
Wednesday of this week Stollings told HarI
that he must have definite answer by noon
as he could not hold out the offer of Mine
Inspector longer that Then Harr refused
to accept, or to have anything further to dc
with him. This decision ended the affair
until last night
While Harr was sitting in the Opera
House With his cousin, John NJ. Harr, q
note was sent to him signed "A Friend,
and stating that the writer desired to sec
him on the outside. Harr went out and
found Stollings waiting at the foot of the
stairs. The latter told him that he wished
to see him after the opera, and harr went
back to his seat and watched the play out
When it was over no and John NJ. Harr
came out and found Stollings. John NJ.
Harr went down toward the Ruiiner Hotel
while Stolings and Delegate Harr walked
up toward the Capitol. Stolliugs then said
he was prepar TO talk business. Hewould
offer. Harr $500 and the Mine Inspectorship
in return for his vote After a long talk
Harr pretended to agree to the bargain, and
told Stolllngs that he wanted al least hall
of the money before he voted the latter
promised to get it, Hau went Immediately
TO the Rufiner Hotel and there met Senator
Carr. whom he told about the entire matter
and asked him to confer with St, Clair and
have proper paper drawn up for him to
present to-day.
This morning, before the assembly met,
he saw Stolings in the hall, and in passing
him. Stolliugs told him that he had the
money in his pocket Harr did not go with
him and did not secure the money. The
paper which was drawn up by St Clair was
incorrect in that it stated that he Harr)
had seen the money. Stolings had told him
that he had seen the money, and had seen
it counted out; in that way the error came
into the paper.
The cross examination of Delegate Harr
was conducted at great length by Hubbard,
Mollohau, McWhorter Scott and Moore.
All fired questions at him until out of breath,
and the partisan character of some of the
questions was apparent. Mr.. Harr, how
ever told a straightforward story, and no
percept.ble impression was made upon it by
the violent criticism of the gentlemen who
appeared as the special champions Of Gen.
Coil.
Gen. Gof made statement Oh oath as
follows:
"Since the campaign Of 1888, he said,
have never used any means to influence
members of the State Legislature other than
proper means of persuasion. | have never
offered any man money, nor authorized any
one to do so. have never signed a check
or draft or authorized any one to draw on
me for money in payment for the vote or
service of member OF the Legislature.
Il have never had any conversation with
Mr. Stolliug- in regard to Mr.. Harris vote
and never told him OF gave him or any one
else reason TO believe that | would furnish
moaey to pay for it, ! have never, at any
time. promised any Office in the gift of the
Governor of the State 20 any man in return
for his vote, and never gave Mr. Stollings
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