The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-01
Startling Testimony, which Il De-
nOunccd as False. Given Yesterday,
Against T.. 4. Van VaIkcnburg.
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST NOV. 8
OFFICIAL CANVASS OF THE VOTE OF
ALL STATES COMPLETED.
McINinIey's Plurality Was 62O.-45-
The President-EIect To BE
Mark Hanna's Guest.

POTTSVILLE, Pa. Dee. 3i.-Some start
ling testimony was given to-day i'm the pre-
liminary hearing OF r. A. Van Valken5urg,
who has charge of John Wanamaker's SEN
atorial campaign at Harrisburg and who
was arrested last night charged with at
tempting 10 bribe Representative Webster
c. Weiss. OF Northampton county 10 vote
for Mr.. Wanamaker for United States SEN
ator. After Mr.. Van Nalkenburg had been
called and pleaded not guilty the prose-
cution called ]. Tillard. who said he was
employed by the Interstate Detective Agen-
cy of Scranton. Tillard said he was sent
to the Wanamaker people early in the
summer TO hire out TO them ana then dis
close all information he could get TO his
superiors. He described at length inter-
views he had with Mr.. Van Nalkenburg.
He said il was agreed that he TO help
the latter secure votes against Senator
Quay's candidate for United States senator.
He told how he had conspired with and
induced Van Valkenburg to give him money
to bribe representatives in various parts OF
the State. notably in Luzerne county for
N.2J0, and pledging himself to vote for
Wanamaker. Tillard acknowledged that he
had kept $50 out of the original sum, which
was $1,000. He said it had been given him
bN al NdihtilDuiE 10 give AO LII Sld1ht.-
The defendants counsel objected TO the
testimony as having no bearing on the
Weiss case. but the justice admitted #. MT.
Van Valkenburg says Tillard's statement
is tissue of lies
The trial terminated abruptly this after
noon, when the defendant waived a further
fearing and entered bail. This was done
because of the admission OF Detective TIL
lard's testimony, regardless of the objec-
tions of the defense. Shortly after leaving
the office another warrant was served or
Mr.. Van Nalkenburg. charging him with
conspiracy to bribe DR. n. J. Mackaye OF
LackaWanna. Bail was entered. After the
withdrawal of the defendant and his coUn-
sci the taking of the testimony was pro-
cedeed with i'm their absence. Tillard swore
mat ne mad received 500 in five notes OK
$lCO each 10 pay to Representative Weiss.
lie said the money Was given TO him b.
Van Nalkenburg. He subsequently refused
five other slc0 notes from Scranton and re-
turned them TO Van Nalkenburg, who after
wards acknowledged their receipt.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Dee. BE. A. Van
Valkenburg. who is alleged TO have at
tempted to bribe Representative Weiss. of
Northampton county. returned to Harris
burg this evening from Pottsvile with At
torney Bergner. Van Valkenburg will give
out a statement tomorrow denying the tes-
timony offered by the prosecution az to-
days hearing.
Mr.. Weiss makes the following statemen'
relative 10 the alleged attempt TO bribe: o.
had no knowledge of any purpose TO pro
ceed Criminally against Mr.. Van Nalken.
burg until 1 saw the fact mentioned in the
morning papers. and j have had no other
knowledge upon the subject except that
which | gathered from the newspaper arti-
cles. / did not make the complaint in the
case. / do not know who the complainant
was nor upon what facts the complaint Is
he hHkr kra mot ar
from any informant ton obtained from me- :
knew Mr.. Van Nalkenburg slightly durins
the last session when he was secretary OF
the House committee on appropriations. 4
have not. TO my knowledge met his since
He has never approached me I'm any way in
the interests OF Mr.. Wanamaker's candi-
dacy. | nave been approached and impOr-
tuned by others in Mr.. Wana-
makers behalf but not by Mr.. Van Naikcn-
burg. / have nothing further 10 say at this
time on the subject but that 4 expect TO
vote for Senator PenrosC."