The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-09

Al presume because was warden
at the penitentiary and should know if
there was really any necessity for ad-
ditiOnal land.
Own you say who made the prop
osition?
Al prefer not to.
What is the pleasure of the commit
tee?" said Mr.. Smelling, addressing
Chairman Outcalt.
we desire the name of the man who
made the proposition was the reply.
'Win you now name the MANI" con-
tinued Mr.. Smelling
Al. d. Lewelling.
This statement caused every member
of the committee to start, while a very
perceptible appearance OF surprise took
possession of every man in the room.
Senator Householder and Chairman
Outcalt simply stared at Lands, who
was Immediately excused
Representative w NJ Metzler of
Sheridan county was the next witness.
Q.-Do you know of any bribes being
offered in either house or senate dur
ing the session?
"A certain gentleman offered me
something to vote against the Hackney
amendment to the railroad bill.
Q.-WhO was it?
''NIr. Chairman" said Metzler, do I
have to answer that question:
Outcalt-Yes sir.
Metzler-It was D. ]. Hanna of Gra-
ham county.
Q.-How much did he offer you?
A.-The first offer was 500.
Q.-What did you tell him?
Al said if I was worth anything,
was worth more than 500.
Q.-What did he say?
Ale went away, saying he would
see about ii, having first told me as we
both lived in the short grass country,
1 might as well get something out of
Q.-what did Hanna say when he re
turned?
70 xii ha
and substitute the Harris senate bill
He also said that they did not need me
very bad, but the amount for me would
be made $3.50.
O.-What did you say to him?
Al told him that I had come to
vote for a maximum bill, and proposed
to do so.
Odd you take the money?
A.-ED, sir.
Odd you talk to Hanna again?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-What did he say?
A.-For Gods sake don't say any
thing about it.
ODD you hear of any other nego-
tiatiOns?
Cor what character?
A.-Similar to that which expert
enced.
Q.-with whom?
county.
Odd he tell you?
A.-Yes sir
Q.-What did he say?
A.-That someone. had offered him
5000 to vote against the maximum bill.
Q.-Who made the offer?
After some hesitancy Mr.. Metzler
answered, saying that 1t was DR.. F. Fl.
Smith of Sherman county, a member of
the last legislature.
Representative Clark was next call
ed.
Q.-Do you know Of any one who was
offered money, or approached with or
by other influences to vote against any
measure?
A.-No, sir
Q.-Do you know of any one who was
influenced to vote for bill?
Al know nothing except what Mr..
Metzler has told you.
Q.-Ten the committee of the con-
versation between yourself and DR..
Smith
went to his committee room, where he
asked me if needed some money.
said yes. He then asked me how I
felt about the railroad bill-uhe Brown
bill, I think they called it. He said he
would give me 800 when I gave him my
word to vote against the bill, and $3.50,
perhaps 5000. when the vote was deliv-
cred, also transportation over all rail
roads.
Q.-What railroad, did he say?
Ale did not name the roads.
Odd he say where he would get
the money?
A-NO sir
Odd you have any more converse
ton with DR.. Smith?
A.-Yes sir.
Q.-What did he say?
A.-Asked me not to mention it to
anyone.
Q.-How did you happen to tell this
to Mr.. Metzler?
A.-When the railroad bill came up
for final passage, some of the members
accused each other of selling out, and I
remarked, that it was probably true.
I also said that they had attempted to
bribe me and had probably attempted
to do the same with other members.
Q.-Have you any further infOrma-
ton?
A-None that I care to tell.
Q.-Were there other incidents which
you have not told us of?
Al was buttonholed by some per-
sons in the postofice.
Own you tell US who those per-
sons were?
A.-NO sir.
Q.-What did they say to you?
A.-Nothing further than they had
DR.. Smith had offered me
money, and that I had told it. I re-
piled that I had not told it.
Q.-Why will you not tell this mans
A-Because he is a friend of mine.
and it would do the committee no good.
Senator Householder made a deter
mined effort to compel Mr.. Clark to
tell the name of his would be- benefac-
tor, but was not successful.
Mr.. Clark was then excused.
clark s Fe1QSa1 TO testify SLuInpeQ the
committee and the members held a
hurried consultation after which Chair
man OutcaIt said:
Further examination of witnesses
will be postponed until tomorrow morn
ing at o'clock. The committee desires
to hold an executive session.
The spectators and newspaper men
retired and the committee discussed
what action should be taken with refer
ence to securing further testimony
from Clark They realized that if
Clark's refusal to testify were permit
ted to pass over that other witnesses
who might be summoned before the
committee would refuse to tell what
they knew and that the investigation
would be a failure