The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-30
SAWYER In A BAD LIGHT.
LA TOILETTE ACCUSES HIM OF
OFFERING A BR1BE.


The Failure Co Collect Interest From
Ex-state Treasurer Harshaw at the
Bottom of the Trouble-The Senator
Claims That the Charge 1s Based on
Misconception of His Meaning.
MILWAUKEE, WIS, Oct. 29.--Judge Sie-
becker, few days ago. astonished the com
munity by suddenly refusing TO try the
stdte suit to recover interest from ex-State
Treasurer Harshaw. The matter has as
sumed highly important political phase
by a public card from ex-CoDgressman
LaFollette this morning. in which he ar-
cuses United States Senator Sawyer OF
attempted bribery. MIR. Sawyer had on
Tuesday made statement abous
the matter. in which he claimed
to have merely proffered a retainer in the
case TO ex~Congressman LaFollette, and
also requested the latter TO sound Judge
Siehecker to ascer ain whether he was
prejudlced against Harshaw. According to
Senator Sawyer's story Mr.. LaFollette re-
fused the retainer on the ground that it
would be improper for him to be interested
in the suit, as Judge Slebecker is his broths
er-in-law.
LA FoLLETTE's VERSION.
In his communication to-day MIR. LaF'ol4
view between himself and Senator Sawyer.
as given by the latter. as ''false aud not
true statement Of what transpired.n He
says he met Senator Sawyer at the Plankin.
ton house in this city Sept. II.
in response to an urgent letter
from the senator, that the latter Immediately
began TO question him in regard TO Judge
Sebeckers feelings toward the defendant
In the case (Harshaw) and that he 04a-
Follette) assured Senator Sawyer that the
judge was fair minded man, who would
not let the fact that Harshaw had opposed
his appointment bias his Judgment.
A SUSPICIOUS OFFER.
Then, according to LaFollette, Senator
Sawyer said: "These cases are awful inn
portaut 10 Us In the state aud we cannot
afford to lose them. IL costs me lots OF
anxiety. don't want TO have to pay
tnaming 100000 or more, Mr. LaFollette
is not certain). Now l came down here TO
see you alone No one knows | am TO mee5
you here. | don't want to hire
you as attorney in the case, Mr.. LaFol-
lette. and don't want you to go into court,
but here is $50, will give you $500 more or
$1,000 NaFollette is uncertain which, when
Siebecker decides the case right"
LA FoLLETTE's REPLY.
Mr.. LaFollette says he immediately told
Senator Sawyer that IL he had struck him
in the face he would not insult him as he
insulted him then; that he (Sawyer) was en-
deavoring to get him to talk TO the judge
about the case of the bench, and that he
had not money enough to employ him as
attorney after what had TRANSFERRED Mr..
LaFollette says he gave the whole
matter careful consideration and on the ad-
vice of personal friends he called the atten-
tion OF the court TO the incident. The pub.
lication OF Mr.. LaFollette's side of the story
creates a profound sensation in political
circles. The whole matter will undoubtedly
become a question of veracity tetween
Sawyer and Mr.. LaFollette.
SAWYER MAKES A DENIAL.
Senator Sawyer has prepared statement
in which he denies vigorously the salient
points Of ex-Congressman LaFollettes
story Of the Plankinton House interview.
He says his offer to Mr.. LaFollette was in
the nature of a retainer, and that it was
made before he was aware that Judge Sic
becker was Mr.. LaFollette's brother -in-law.
He also says he never offered Mr.. LaFol-
lette to pay him when the Judge decideE
the case favorably. Senator Sawyer says
the interview with Mr.. LaFollette was OF
friendly nature, and that the latter did
not use the language expressive of the in-
dignation reported by him.