Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-03-10
jerks IS A LISTENER.
Democratic Candidate for United
States Senator Hears Some
Bribery Evidence.
OFFERS MADE TO KEYSTONE soLoNs

! lf~Thcy Would Do What Was Wanted
| About the McCarrell Bill and stick to
| Jenks-Somo Witnesses Recalled. One of
| Whom Brings = Observation-Disclosures
| They Understand by the Offers Made to
| Them by the Ex-senator.
Harrisburg. Pa. March I0.-George \.
! jerks. the Democratic caucus nominee
for United States senator. was an inter
ested spectator at last nights session
Of the bribery investigating committee.
| George Nox Mccain. of the Philadelphia
Press, was recalled and testified that
Representative Sylvester s. Smith, Of
Cameron, told him that he had been
offered $3.50 to vote to reconsider the
vote by which the McCarreIl bill had
been postponed by the house until March
81. The name of the party making the
offer was not developed. Representative
T. Frank Miller, Of Northampton. re-
peated his allegation that Representa-
tive Charles Il. Spatz. of Berks. had told
him that there was $50 in it for signing
the paper in the hands of ex-senator
John ]. Coyle, of Philadelphia. to stand
by jerks for senator. ard that after
ward Spatz offered him 500.
Had 1t Down liz a Book.
"A reputable member of the house."
Miller continued. told me that he
thought the name of Representative
John +. Hoy. of Clarion, was on the
paper" Miller produced a small men,.
oran6um book from which he read the
following: "On Jan. -. 1899. offered by
Spatz $50 to He'll and Miller: later s1OO
COyle on the evening of the same date
TO sign my name to paper pIedging sup
port to Democratic nominee and bind
ing myself to do So" Miller said there
was a general understanding with Coyle
and Spatz that certain legislation was
to be supported for which money would
be divided among the boys
That memorandum was made When?'
VOORHEES, asked.
on Jan. 20, the day after the transac-
ton" Miller replied.
How johnson and Miller Understood It.
Representative Peter ]. Criste. cf
Northumberland, was recalled and tes-
tilted that ne knew OF no member of the
house who had been corruptly APP
preached on the bill. Representative
Irwin n. Johnston. of NORTHAMPTON. SaiG
he had conversation with CoyIc in the
corridor of the capitol just prior to the
house Democratic caucus to consider
the McCarrell bill, in which CoyIe said:
You help us out and I'll see you right
after"
what DO you understand COyie n2C ant
by that?' Johnston was asked.
I thought that if we would stand by
him he would give me some money"
Miller said he understood COyIe's offer
of money 1T the Lochiel hotel was in
tended to induce him to sign the paper
pledsirg the Democrats to stand by
jerks. Coyle promised Miller that if
lie would vote for the McCarrel bill he
would send a party TO Easton and get
100 signers to a paper indorsing his &C
ton.
Was Chance for the Big Reward.
Miller said Representative Hersch. Of
told him that he was cor
ruptly approached on the bill. The wit
ness said he went to Coyles room fire.
quently for the purpose OF finding out
what was going on, and possibly Il
NAN might tumble to the big reward
that was offered for bribery" Repre-
sentative Daniel X. Hoch. Of Berks said |
he was told by Miller that there was
in it for those who signed !
the jerks paper. Representative Eose2- |
berry, Of montgomery, made a Volun- |
tary statement. He said he was never !
offered directly or indirectly one cent |
by COyle or anybody else to vote for the |
hill