Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-11
INDICTMENTS ARE SECURED
When the Fact Became Known There Was a
 Pancky Feeling.
DR. HUNTER WANTED THREE VOTES
And Was Willing To Bid High for Them Sweeping Denials by the Indicted Par
 ties, and Blackburn's Friends Ac- j a cused of Perpetrating an Outrage

rs Louisville, Ky, April 10.--A special to . the Evening Post from Frankfort, says: Indictments charging bribery and con- spiracy to bribe have been prepared by the Franklin county grand jury against the most prominent republicans in the state, viz: Ex-Congressman W. Godfrey Hunter of the Third district, the repub- lican nominee for the United States sen-. ate; ex-Congressman John H. Wilson, of the Eleventh dis rict, one of pr. Hun ters closest advisers, and Hon. E. T. Franks, one of the leading republican pol iticians of the Second district. The in- dictments were prepared last night upon the testimony of Capt. Noel Gaines and Capt. Tanner, his brother-in-law, and Fred don, all of this city. The charges are indignantly denied by Dr. Hunter Mr. Wilson and MT. Franks, all of whom say they will prosecute for criminal libel all who have testified to the above facts before the grand jury. They claim that it is the last desperate effort of the Blackburn democrats to prevent Dr. Hunters election today, which seemed certainty, in view Of the fact that he lacked only one vote at the ballos yesterday. The following author ized interview was given out this morn ing by Capt. Thomas Tanner, one of the accused witnesses
 "I was called to the Capitol hotel Mon day night and had a conference with Wilson in room 29 Wilson had 8 big roll of bills; he said there was S5,000 in the package, and from all appearances there was. There were four such pack ages, or $20,o00, and he said this would be paid for four votes for pr. Hunter. l had several conferences with Franks in the same room; was last called there Thursday morning, when they seemed to think that some members of the leg nture had offered to succumb for $10,- 900, but they thought this too high"
 Captain Noel Gaines testified before the grand jury in part as follows
 When Dr. Hunter came to my house he, Dr Hunter, opened the conversation by saying that he had been told I could aid him in getting three votes. I told him that I did not know whether it was possible to get them or not, but l would study over it and see.
 Hunter sadd: I want three votes and am willing to pay $15,000 or $5,000 a vote. l will furnish the money all right, but will have to have one of my representa- tives complete the trade and give. you the money as it would not do for me to hand it to you.
 He said he would have ex-Congress- man John H. Wilson, one of his friends, call on me. Hunter told me tf-t Rep resentative w. G. Cossom and Nergo Clark. of Warren county and John H.
 
 and they should be the first ones for me to see as he was pretty certain l could get them.
 "On the next evening about the same hour, MT. John H. Wilson came over in company with Mr. Tanner and we all three went into the library of my house. MT. Wilson began by saying that Dr. Hunter had sent him to see me and thao he (Wilson) wanted to know if had talked with Gossom, Clark and Johns, 1od Ia tr06 n wit I told him had not. Wilson said: We have got the $15,0OO here and are ready to give it to them if they would agree to vote for Hunter and continue to vote for him until he was elected
 ''Wilson said to me: l want you to go right to work with them now and make the trade with them quick
 "Mr Wilson came back to my house to see me after the two occasions. On one occasion he said: The agreement IS now that this money will be turned over to you when the men vote. If you can't get these men to vote for Hunter get them to go away, and If you can't get them to go away have them slipped out and keep them out until the ballot is over.'
 The grea test excitement prevailed dur ing the first ballot for senator at noon today The galleries and Hobbies were crowded. The republicans denounced the charges in unmeasured terms, saying 1t was a dirty scheme 10 defeat Hunter.
 A StdtCtiCht ciShCu Dy MI. W Wao laid on the desk of the members. The statement denied all the charges, and said that Gaines made the proposition and they believed it scheme ito entrap pr. Hunter. Before the roll was called there was a fist fight in the gallery. The call of the roll showed no quorum pres ent, but vote was taken anyway, which gave Hunter 57 and Boyle 1. Sixty an- swered to aheir names. A motion to ad- journ brought out the absentees, and the vote stood 5S to 5S, but President Worth fngton voted to continue and the second ballot was ordered
 The fight in the gallery was between Tom Morrow, of Somerset, relative of Judge T. C. Morrow, and a nephew of Gov. Bradley, and Peter A. Sanders local Hunter republican. Sanders struck Morrow over the eye with pair of brass knuckles, making an ugly cut and draw ing the blood in cop4ous quantities. San ders was arrested. There was no change on the second ballot
 IulIl lAO GNQEDIEAnE