The herald., 1897-03-03
A SENSATION IN THE SENATE
Caused by Charges of Attempts to Bribe
Legislators
Kansas Senators Prove Proof Against Bribery
Warrants Are Issued and One Of
the Offenders Arrested

Topeka, Kan, March 2.-Direct
| charges of bribery and attempted
bribery were made before the state
legislature today. The charges were
made in open session. The names of
the accused were spoken outright. and
warrants were issued for lhe arrest of
the culprits.
One of the two men implicated was
arrested before he could make his es-
cape from the capitol building.
The alleged bribery is an outcome of
the recent attempt made by the Popu-
list majority in the state legislature to
force a reduction of the charges levied
by the Kansas City. Stockyards COM
pany, which are in the state of Kansas.
The charges for feeding and the charges
of the commission men are most serl-
ously opposed. A bill has been intro
duced covering the points and seemed
sure to become law, but at late hour
an opposition measure, known as the
Hanna bill. was forceI TO the front.
The Hanna bill is said to have the ap-
proval of the stockyards people, and
1t was when the measure seemed likely
to be forced through that the charges of
corruption were made.
Senator A. ]. Titus. quiet and con-
servative member, was recognized and
threw the senate into the greatest con-
fusion when he made this declarations:
This morning, while in my chair, 1
was approached by a man and offered
$1,000 for my vote for the Hanna bill, and
I understand other senators had the
same experience. l can name the man,
and if you say so / will do it"
Immediately there were cries of who
is he?" and Name him."
THE mans name is X. S. Boyd and 1
desire to have him arrested by the
sergeant-at-arms, If ii is possible" re-
piled Senator Titus.
Senator Jumper was next to get recog-
nized, and as soon as the commotion had
somewhat subsidized he demanded the
arrest of AL Tucher of Ottawa, for at
tempted bribery Senator Jumper ex-
planned that he, too, had been offered
$1,000 to support Hanna's bill. Lieuten-
ant-Governor Harvey quickly ordered
the doors of the senate chamber locked,
that no one might escape, and warrants
were at once issued for the culprits.
Boyd could not be found, but the SER
geant-at-arms arrested Tucher in the
senate toilet rooms, where he had hid
den. He was locked up in the clerks
room He refused to say word.
Another sensation was created few
minutes later when it was reported that
Senator johnson of Jefferson county
had telephoned to the culprit Boyd, ad-
vising him to flee. Senator Johnson
rose to a question of personal privilege
and branded the story as malicious
falsehood.
The senate held a special session to in
vestigate the charges of bribery. The
culprit Tucher was brought in for pre-
liminary examination. He was allowed
counsel Attorney General Boyle ap-
peared for the senate. After brief
hearing. by vote of p to 10, Tucher was
held for trial before the senate. The
man Boyd cannot be found. The man
Mccormick and several attaches of the
senate were examined on the charge
that Senator johnson had telegraphed
to Boyd, but it could not be substan-
tiated
The scandal resulted today in the de-
feat of the Hanna bill and the passage
of the Populist measure to regulate the
stockyards.