The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-03
Conceived in tho Plut0nian Dark.
ness of Desperation May Act
asa Boomerang and Come v
Back to Plague them.
General GoT Anxious for the Most
Rigid Examination Into the Bribery
Clmrges-'Ihc Jpiut Assembly
Adjourns Until Tuesday, but
the Indications are that
the Committee Will
not Report then.
Special Dipdich iohe In'clliDtncer.


CHARLESTON, W. Va, Feb. 2.-Last
winter there was II bribery investigation
to solidify the Democrats in the Legisla.
ture. Delegate Shelton, OF Lincoln, was
the Democrat whose virtue had been
tampered with out in the wilds OF Lin.
coin county. This winter there is an
other bribery investigation, and Dele
gate Harr, OF Marion county, is the man
who, according to his own mixed testi-
mony, ran around with young and
inexperienced tcmpter to place himself
in way to be tampered with. Harris
statement as made to the Joint Assembly
would, under ordinary circumstances,
have created a tremendous sensation at
that critical moment. 1t is an interest
ing fact that, though it was surprise to
many-not all-it made no sensation at
all. The reader will be good enough to
consider this statement as effective as if
repeated and printed in italics, for it ls
as important part Of the history Of the
day as the typewriter paper presented
by the Delegate from Marion county.
A THIN TRICK. s
The episode did not create sensation
because it was at once perceived to be a
trick. The object was two.foId, to gain
time and 10 make it Infamous for any
Democrat to vote to seat GofI. Ifa vote
had been takeu in that session Goa
would have been declared duly elected
and entitled to his seat as Governor Of
West Virginia. Two Democrats had de.
clared their intention to vote for that
resolution because they believed it EN-.
bodied the facts carefully ascertained.
More were similarly disposed, but lacked
the courage Of their convictions. I did
not believe that even one would rise to
thnt height until saw the efforts OF the
managers and their agents to bulldoze
these men into line, Entreaties and
threats had failed; the voting time was
NJ hand; there was no hope for the de-
ieated Democratic nominee except in
delay. The plot was too hurriediy con-
cocted TO be skillfuly executed, as
Harris own testimony before the in
vcstigating committee shows. Part Of
The plan was ,osend out dispatches to the
Democratic press forcshadowing what
was TO come. After Ilarr got through
being tempted as much as he could
stand in one night, and after he had
arranged to meet the young tempter the
next morning he went home with Presi-
dent Carr OF the Senate, passed the re-
naindcr Of the night in that seclusion
and decided OH the statement, which
Col. ST: Clair was to put in shape for
him to present to the Joint Assembly rs
soon rs that body should convene.
Harr was confused when he presented
his written statement. His confusion
was worse confounded when he admit
ted 10 the, committee that the essential
parts OF his statement arc not true, and
that when he signed and presented them
he knew them to be untrue. In the
statement presented to the Joint Assem-
bly, Harr says that Stollings "exhibited
alarge roll OF money" and also "Stollings
then said that he would see me this
Saturday. morning, after consultation
with friends, and would then pay the
oue-half Of the sum offered me for my
vote, ! agreeing in that case vote for
COIL" These statements OF facts are
the meat Of his paper aud yet before a
committee, on which are three men Of
his own side, he swore that there is no
truth in these statements, and that he
knew they were untrue when he made
them. as55g . Il
COPYING AFTER TIE REaIsTgR. f5J
This part Of Harris testim onyis not
published in this mornings Democratic
Ga:ftte, whose reporter was present. II
does not contain this admission OF per
jury. Harr was pitable sight as the
examiners harrow was going over him
and Chairman Price went valiantly t
his assistance. The Chairman suggested
that Harr did not understand question
four times fred into him. but Harr ad
mitted that he did not understand the
question md at last answered 1t. HI
told the Joint Assembly an untruth
knowing it was an untruth because
he did not have time to cor
rect his statement; that is to Say
ttotell the truth, the witness had demol
ished himself. Harr had proved Harl
unworthy OF belief in a matter doublJ
!!nTolring his honor. His counsel goi
him to say that he is an illiterate. An
!ll'serate man knows the truth from false
hood, and on the witness stand Harr
swore that he knew the difference be
tween his paper and the truth. He hat
out live minutes for correction between
tho tina tha nanar uaa handad 70 hin