The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-28
Mr.. DAVIS KNOWS MUCH
But He Wouldn't Tell 1t to the
Committee.
Now the Committee Is Going to
See About 1t.
Details of the Legislative jEzamina-
ton Which is Now Waiting
for Authority.

4OE A0t~AOA4Sys
The legislative investigation which
reopened yesterday began with Repre-
sentative Davis of Wilson county on
the stand. He was asked to tell what
if any truth there was in the state
ments that had been made by witnesses
before the committee to the effect that
he had been offered money to assist in
the defeat of the railroad bill. This
evidence was presented by Mr.. Weilep,
who testified that he had met Davis as
the latter came from B. P Waggener )
room at the ThrOOp. Mr.. Davis Sald:
In the talk with Weilep, in friend
ly way, we both expressed the OPINION
that money could be secured. Wellep
and myself felt that such We're true,
yet Mr.. Weilep was mistaken-the tacls
were overdrawn-when he stated that
I said offers of money had been maze
Odd you receive any Offers of
money for your vote!
A.-No sir.
Odd you know of any one who
did?
Odd you tell Street or Marks that
you could secure money for your
vote?
DO YOU know of any member of
the legislature who received money
~ A.@To the satisfaction of my own
Q.Nstate any facts which may tend
to prove that any member OF the leg
islature was guilty of cOrruptlOn
A.-One member told me he had been
offered $1,000 for certain action on GER
tain lines.
Q.-Who was it?
Al can't answer that question.
Owe want to know
Am not answer that question. Not
that 1 am afraid to, nor because l do
not want to assist in this investigation;
Names of men have been suppressed
before this committee prior to this
time, and I do not care to bring any
one into this affair.
Well said Attorney General Boyle,
'the statutes of 1891 confer power upon
this committee to compel witnesses to
testify. There is no disposition to get
anyone into trouble. Yet, your eVl-
dence is Of a different character from
that which has been offered, and 1t Oc-
ours to me that you should volunteer
it to this committee.
Mr.. Davis-If I should give that
name, I could go on and give names OF
others who were similarly implicated
and bring the men before the public in
an unseemly manner.
Mr.. Outcalt-NIr. Davis your answers
to questions are desired by this com
mittee the members of which will de-
termine the value of the testimony.
You have not forced other witnesses
to testify when they declined to give
Names Davis replied to Outcalt
Mr.. Boyle-Who was the man you re-
Let me ask one question: said Dav-
| is. What was this committee created
for?
Mr.. Boyle-To secure the information
which you possess.
We'll. you won't get that, until your
full authority is demonstrated" re-
torted Davis, and he continued. You
have failed to do this. Was this COM
mittee formed to help the newspapers
and furnish gossip for politicians?"
Hold on Mr. Davis exclaimed Out
calf, this cannot be permitted
Il want to say" continued Davis,
scarcely noticing the interruption, that
the manner in which this investigation
has been conducted is hurting US in
Wilson county. 1t is hurting the party
and is hurting the state. 1t has done
much damage and no good, whatever.
After receiving my subpoena sunday,
drove out among my constituents, and
they expressed diSapprOVal of the pro-
ceedingS, unless this committee exhib-
its its authority if it has any and goes
into these things. If you will compel
the witnesses to testify, if you will
show the people that this committee
means business, and convince me that
you have authority to proceed, then [
will appear before this committee and
tell all I know
ing the authority Of this committee, are
you willing this committee should be-
gin with you, and order you committed
for refusing to testify?
Mr. Davis looked around the senate
chamber, surveyed Mr.. Boyle and the
committee. INDUCED in a moments
reverie and mental elaboration, then
replied:
Yes sir"
Proceedings were Immediately sus-
pended. and Mr.. Boyle and the commit
tee members held a conference, into
which Mr.. Davis was called. He was
urged to give the testimony so much
desired, but refused to do so, maintain
ing the position which he assumed al
the outset
Chairman Outcalt urged upon Mr..
Davis the importance of answering
questions, and suggested that as a Pop
ulist member of the legislature he could
not afford to destroy the committee and
! put an end to the investigation. to all
of which Mr. Davis answered positive
ly that he would not change his posi-
| ton.
We'll, we can't commit you, under
| the circumstances, without making
| ourselves liable to prosecution for false
| imprisonment should your position be
| sustained in court" suggested the
chairman.
I will not answer the questions,
| neither will divulge any names, under
/ the existing circumstances"
The committee then held another
| brief conference, at the conclusion of
| which, the members secured from Mr.
| Davis a promise, that if proceedings to
commit him, were brought he would
| not retaliate with damage suits against
/ the members or officers of the commit
/ tee, in the event the committee should
! be declared unconstitutional and il
legal.
Russia is Glad
! St. Petersburg. April 2S.-In political
! circles here nIea S11Ta iS axnariovoa7