The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-14

ceiving bribes He said he had I then
voted Tor the appropriation.
Odd anyone try to bribe you?
A.-NO, sir.
Odd you hear of any attempted
briberies?
Al was told there was a chance to
make some money on certain bills if 1
wanted to-
Q.-WhO told yOu2
A.-Representative Walters.
(Which Walters?
A.-The representative from Labette
county.
Q.-Who else?
Alt was general talk.
Q.-What did Walters say?
Ale was not talking directly to
me. There was a crowd of representa-
tives talking in the postohice- of the
house, including a stock yards lobbyist,
whom I did not know.
Q.-Tell US what Walters said?
A.-That there was money in 1t.
Q.-What bill was up?
A.-The stock yards bill.
O-WhO were present?
A-There We're several persons.
Odd you meet there by appoint
ment?
A.-No
Mr.. Loomis' testimony developed
nothing new, and member of the COM
mittee talking to another said aside:
What good did it do to bring Loomis
to Topeka ?"
Mr.. Fairchild asked to make an expla-
nation and the opportunity was afford
ed him. He desired to make a state
nlent concerning the testimony of the
page Eben Mccarthy, who stated that
he had carried notes from Fairchild to
Harry Wilson in the Neale block Fair
child said: THAT note was simply
declinatiOn of Wilson's proposition That
was ALL He added few other sugges-
tiOns to go on record and retired.
Senator A. H. Lupfer of Pawnee
county, was the first witness this morn
ing. He knew nothing from personal
knowledge, only what had been told
him. Had heard of attempted briber-
les but none had approached him. He
told substantially as it had come to
him, what DR.. Marks recited yesterday.
Marks had volunteered the information
to Lupfer. The latter told of a CONVEX
sation he had with a gentleman repre-
senting the American Book company.
But" said Mr.. Lupfer, IF he had any
intention of making proposition to
me, he was deferred by my statement
to him that I was for the bill and no
inducement whatever could cause me to
change my mind
Q.-WhO was it?
A.-Mr. Burton. do not know his
initials. I met him in 1891, when as I
understand he was not employed by
the American Book company, but for
another book company, not a member
of the trust
Q.-Where does Mr.. Burton live?
Al think in Topeka.
H. A. Keefer of LeaVenWOrth, a men,
ber of the last legislature, who keeps
pose OF selling secondhand railway
equipment, was the next witness. Mr..
Keefer said he hesitated to tell what he
knew about men, as they would come
on the stand, deny the statement, and
bring upon him an attack from the
newspapers and the allied forces of the
corporations and their lobbyists. How
ever he said, Il have no doubt money
was used. Had I shown a disposition
to vote against the rOalrOad BILL could
have commanded 5000. I could
frz
the school book bill. From the action
of mem bers of my committee 1 am con-
fdent money was used, although I did
not see it pass. am also confident
that money was used in the stock yards
transactions. Before the legislature
was half over 1 was disguised and
wished that I was not of it.
Q--Ten what led to the belief that
you could have secured IS, 900 for your
influence against the railroads
A--The answer to that question in
wolves the names OF men who, as lob
byists were granted privileges of the
floor in both houses while honest men
were debarred. I do not therefore feel
justified in answering.
Mr. Smelling then explained the law
which compels witnesses to testify or
become liable to prosecution for con-
tempt. He said: .! insist that you
The question was read by the stenog-
rapher.
Keefer said: "Others have been per
L
II is unfair to compel me to impeach
the motives of men, of whom I have no
definite knowledge"
Asked to proceed Mr.. Keefer said:
4 was waited on several times. A
gentleman came to my room at the
National and asked me if had price
on my vote. 1 asked if there was a linn
it. He replied several thousand dol
lars. He told me I was a fool if I did
not get some money out of it.
Q.-Were you invited to an attorneys
office to consult with reference to rail-
road legislatiOn2
A.-No sir. 1 was invited to the rail-
road offices.
Q.-Did you go2
A.-NO sir
Q.-Why not?
Al did not think it best.
Q.-Where does the man live, who
came to you at the National?
Al do not remember.
Q.-What was the color of his eyes?
Al do not know
Q--What was the color of his hair?
Al do not remember.
Odd you see the color of his mon
ey?
A.-No sir, but that would have in
terested me more than the color of his
hair.
Q-Since you know that this man
was engaged in an attempt to commit
a crime against the state, do you not
think is wise to tell us who he was?
Al am willing to lend all the assist
ance in my power to bring these men to
justice, but I do not feel justified in
telling this mans name.
After some parleying Mr.. Smelling
asl1e the witness for the name of the
person who had approached him at the
National.
Al do not remember his name, as I
have told you before.
Mr.. Keefer had intimated that he
knew the mans name, but suffered at
this moment convenient loss of mem
Ory.
Mr.. Keefer and Senator Householder,
a member of the committee were on the
train out of Kansas City a few days
ago, and keefer opened his heart, tell
ing Mr.. Householder, it is stated, a
number of sensational matters in con-