The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-20

| tigation into the charges of bribery at
the recent election Of United States
senator reached a crisis tonight. No
matter what may be the final result of
the investigation there will likely be
several witnesses arrested for con-
| tempt. The committee had seven wit
| nesses subpoenaed for tonight, but
| they were not examined because none
| of them would testify.
| The senate committee last night eX-
amined Samuel Pentland, Frank p.
| Ross, w. F. Truesdale and Shepherd
| M. Dunlap, who then asked to confer
with their attorneys and were excused
until tonight for that purpose. When
they appeared tonight they said their
attorneys held that the senate had no
jurisdiction in the alleged bribery of
member of the house, and had adVlS-
ed them not to answer any further
questions before the committee. They
all followed the advice Of their attor
neys, as did Mr.. Hollenbeck, who was
not on the stand last night. When the
committee found that the advice of at
torneys was being followed uniformly
by all witnesses called, the open Ses-
sion was closed and the committee
went into executive session on plans
for further procedure. The senate
chamber was crowded while the COM
mittee in open session attempted from
7:30 to a. m. to examine witnesses,
and the action of the witnesses caused
demonstrations of diversion. The wit
nesses did not decline to tell the names
of their counsel, and their replies show
ed that the most eminent lawyers had
been engaged in case. The charges Of
bribery were made by Repre-
sentative Otis, and the resolu-
ton in the house was
adopted by only 54 affirmative votes,
majority of quorum only. There are
109 members and any measure requlr-
ing the expenditure of money requires
81 affirmative votes, or majority Of
ALL AS the house committee cannot
employ a. stenographer or do anything
else causing the expenditure of money,
it is unable to proceed. The senate,
by Senator Burke voting with the
Democrats, then adopted a resolution
to investigate the charges. That body
has sc members and is tie politically.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
BY Burke voting in the affirmative,
the resolution was adopted-19 to II.
bodies on the day of Senator Hanna
election. They were offered before any
ballots were taken, and were expected
to cause deadlock or poStponement
of the election. 1t is not denied tnat
the house has jurisdiction, but attor-
news have told the witnesses that the
senate has no jurisdiction, and that
they need not reply to their questions.
The members of the house inveStlgat-
ing committee were present on invita-
ton tonight and they were requested
TO ask questions but none of them
took any part Judge Robertson, VINO
has served with distinction on the
bench at Cincinnati, is member OF
the senate committee and is prosecu-
for He wore himself ont tonight in
asking questions and getting the mo-
nctonous reply: "On the advice OF
counsel / decline to answer
Chairman Burke, Senators Lang and
Fink did their best to draw out the
witnesses, but to no avail. After the
four others took their turns, Senator
Garfield would close each examination
hv asking: do you decline to answer
questions because your attorneys say
this committee has no jurisdiction in
this case and has so advised you!"
The reply was in the affirmative and
the witness was excused
Each witness was told that he was
held under service by the committee,
and should report tomorrow night at
40 or sooner. if called for Among the
| cases cited is that of Daniel Dalton,
who was subpoenaed In 1886 to bring
forged tally sheets before legislative
| committee Dalton refused, and was
brought before the house for contempt.
| Dalton was subpoenaed to produce Re-
| publican records in his custody, and the
witnesses tonight claim that they are
A s
i the committee will make a partial re-
| mort to the senate tomorrow lively
| time Is expected. The committee Will
| ask the senate to punish the witnesses
| for contempt and to give the inVesti-
gators full authority
FIRST WITNESS.
S. D. Hollenbeck, of Chardon, auditor
OF Gauga county and member Of the
Republican state executive committee.
was the first witness. He refused to an
swer any of the questions propounded
by Judge Robertson, the prosecutor of
the investigating committee. Mr. Hol-
lenbeck said Senator ]. J. Sullivan,a as
his attorney, had advised him not to
answer any questions. After the mo-
| notonous replies to Judge Robertson
had continued for some time Chairman
Burke took up the examination, and
| he met with the same refuSals. Then
| Senators FINK ana Ldnk look their
turns with the like result. Hollenbeck
was repeatedly asked if his son was in
the employment of Senator Hanna, and
if his son did not carry funds from
Columbus to Cincinnati. Representa-
tive Otis resides in Cincinnati, and
made the charges under which the in
vestigation was instituted. Mr.. Hollen-
beck was first excused until tomorrow
night. His counsel, Senator Sullivan.
stated that Mr.. Hollenbeck was very
sick, and his physician insisted upon
his returning home. Mr. Hollenbeck
was then excused, subject to the call
of the committee.
Samuel Pentland. proprietor of the
Neil house, where Senator Hanna had
his headquarters, promptly stated that
on the advice of his attorney he de-
clined to furnish his books or answer
any questions. 1t is understood that
Judge O'Key was Mr.. Pentland's attor-
/ ney. After Judge Robertson tried to