Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-09

investigation, and which he laid before At
torney General Boyle few days ago.
Harry S. Lands warden of the state
penitentiary, was next called by Mr.. Smell
ing. He stated as follows about coal lands
at Lansing:
lature that proposition had been made by
some man al Lansing TO sell additional coal
land to the state. This member suggested
il might be a good thing to introduce a bill
in the legislature for the purchase of this
land and asked me if the state needed any
more land. and further said there was So
o00 in il. l replied the state needed no more
land. The bill never was introduced"
Chairman Outcalt-'We must know the the
name of the member of the legislature who
approached you and who said there was
Well said Mr. Lands, eff l must
answer, il was l.. d. Lewelling.'
Mr.. Outcalt asked if anything was said
as TO whether this $4,000 would accrue to
vantage. Mr.. Landis replied there was not.
Representative MetZer, of Sheridan
county. Was called and testified about the
railroad bill as follows:
During the discussion of the bill n the
house. when the Hackney amendment was
lending. / was approached and offered a
consideration to vote against the amend
ment
Chairman outcalt asked who the man
making the offer was.
Pressed for an answer. Metzler answered.:
ID. J. Hanna. of Graham county.
How much did he offer you?" asked Mr..
Well" said Mr.. MetzIer. "he said he
didn't need me very bad. but might Just
as well make 500. told him ] thought L
was worth more than that, and he finally
came up TO SlJ0."
Representative Clark. of Thomas county,
testified as to his knowledge of bribery,
attempted or otherwise: 4 was ap-
preached by Representative Frank Smith,
of Sherman county, while the Hackney
amendment was pending, and Offered $3.50
II | would oppose that amendment to the
railroad bill / told him | was sent here
by my people TO vote for maximum
freight rate bill. and l proposed 10 do so.
Smith asked me to keep the matter quiet
and L told him 1 would. ] mentioned the
matter to Mr.. MetZler. who told me of the
attempt 10 bribe him, but said nothing
this man came TO me in the cloak room
of the house and said il was told him
that an attempt had been made by DIR.
Smith TO bribe me. / did not know how
he could know anything about the matter,
as ! had kept it quiet. and denied it"
Mr.. Clark further testified that this man
was a personal friend and he did not de-
sire 10 give hts name. The committee,
however, seemed to think the incident was
but another attempt 10 bribe Clark. and
demanded the man : name. Again Clark
refused and neither the committee nor Mr..
Smelling was able 10 obtain the answer
desired. Here was snag. The commit
tee saw that if Clark refused TO answer
questions, other witnesses would do so.
Clark was dismissed and the committee
and Mr.. Smelling went into executive ses-
SION They discussed the matter for some
time, but came 10 no definite conclusion.
They then adjourned until tomorrow at 3
O'Clock. when the investigation will be
resumed.
Mr.. Clark was seen after he left the
stand and said: Il don't believe the COM
mittee had the right to compel me to tes-
tify to that which 1 did not desire; hence
my refusal. Neither the attorney general
nor anyone else can drag answers from
me which don't care to make"
The following additional witnesses have
been subpoenaed: Representatives Brown,
of Pratt, ard Keefer. of Leavenworth;
Frank p. Strickland, of Kansas City, Kas:
Penitentiary Director A. A. Newman. of
Clay Center. and his son. AL Newman
who was clerk of the house ways and
means committee.
II is the general opinion in political cir
cieS Tonight that the committee has been
tative Clark to testify on certain subjects
The committee was afraid to fine Kim for
contempt, for fear that the courts would
not sustain such action. and did not care
10 excuse him. as Ii would be sinDlv nc
tihcation to other witnesses to balk The
committee is between the devil and the
deep sea. with the tide coming in The in
Vestigaticn will be nothing but farce
Chairman billiard, or the board of rail-
road commissioners. viii appear before the
investigating committee tomorrow and de-
mand that the deal whereby the boards
contingent fund was raised from $1,000 to
5000 be Investigated. "If the records show
that the legislature did not raise the ap-
preparation TO 5000" said he Il shall not
touch any above 81 900. All. vouchers must
De signed by myself and I will not spend
any more than the legislature intended to
give the board