Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-30
HERESAH HOW D'YEDO
limited STATES SENATOR SAWYER
ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.
III. Brother RspobIicsp, Ex-Congrsss" -
Lsfoliette. the Accuser-rhs spee"ss
,,o,.-The DsnIai-Excitemsns
fBy telegraph to the l'ispasch.l

urw.rxxr Wis, October 3d.
Judoe Siebecker few days ago aston
shed the community by suddenly 70
fusing to try the State suit to recover
interest from ex-State- Treasurer har'
sha The matter has assumed . nigniy
important political phase BY q pubic
card from ex-Congressrnan Lafollette
this morning in which he accuses Uni.eo
states Senator Sawyer OF attempted
bribery. Sawyer had on Tuesday made
statement about the matter IN whict
be claimed to have merely pro1ered
retainer in the case to MI
Iafollette and also requested the
latter TO sound Judge Sibecker to ascer.
tain whether he was prejudiced agalns'
Uorshsw, According to Mr.. SAWYER
story. Lafollette refused the retainer on
the Ground that it would be improper
for him to be interested in the SUIT, as
Judge Siebecker is his brother-in- L.w.
In his communication to-day MIR. La
toilette pronounces the account OF the
interview between him and Mr.. Sawyer
given by the latter as "false, and not q
true statement OF what transpired.
THE INTERVIEW.
He SAWS he met Mr.. Sawyer at the
Plankington- House, in this city, Sep,
tember 18th, in response to an urgent
letter from the Senator, and that the
latter began to question him IN regard 70
.Judre Siebecker's feelings towards the
defandant in the case, Mr.. Harshaw,
and that he Nafollette) assured Sawyer
that the Judge was fair-minded man,
who would not let the fact that Harshav
had opposed his appointment bia'
his Judgment. Then, according &c
Mir. Lafollette. Nj. Sawyer said
"These cases are awfully important te
ia in the State and we cannot afford &c
lose them. 1t costs me lots OF anxiety.
| don't want to have to pay" (21OO, OW
or more, Mr.. Lafollette is not certain
which,. II called when here to see
Won alone. No one knew | was to meet
Won here. | do not want to hire you az
m attorney in the case, Mr.. Lafollette,
and don't want you to go into court. but
here is $50. I will give you $500 more,
or 81 900" tLafollette is uncertain which
he saidD when Seibecker decides the
case right"
THE INSULT.
Mr.. Lafollette saws he Immediately
told SAWYER that If he should strike hin
in the face he would not insult him n:
he insnIted him then; that he Sawyer
was endeavoring to get him to talk tC
the Judge about case of the bench ano
that he had not money enough to EN-
ploy him rs an attorney after what hac
/ transpired.
Mr. Lafollette says he gave the whole
matter careful consideration, and on tn,
advice of personal friends called the at
tcntion of the court to the incident. The
publication Of Mr. Lafollette's side o
the story creates profound sensation !,
political circles. The whole matter vii
undoubtedly become question OF We
racity between Sawyer and Lafollette.
SAVERS SIDE.
Senator Sawyer has prepared state
ment in which he denies vigorously the
salient points of ex Congressman lafol
lette's story of the Plankinton Hous'
/ interview. EIe says his offer to Lalol
lette was in the nature of a retainer anC
that i. was made before he was aware
that Jadge Siebecker was Lafollette'
brother-in-law. lie also says he neve
offered Mr.. Lafollette money to be pait
when the Judge decided the case favor
ably. Mr.. Sawyer says the interview
with Iafollette was Of friendly nature
, and that the latter did not use tn
language expressive of indignation re
| nnrtel by linn.