Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-09
The Bribery Committee.

The new Bribery Committee met
that evening and listened TO some SEN
sational evidence.
Two members OF the House, Repre-
sentiyes John Engler. Of Lycoming,
and Peter s. Criste, of Milton, testi fed
that they had been offered money to
vote for McCarreil bill and again to
make the motion to reconsider the vote
by which it was postponed to March 2l.
All the members Of the committee
were on hand except Michael J. Tighe,
who complained Of being i'll. The
would be bribers were ex-senator John
J. Coyle. Of Schuylkill; Michael j.
Costello and ex-hepresentative Thomas
Moyles Of Luzerne. At the conclusion
Of the hearing Representative VOORHEES,
made an offer that the accused be al
lowed 10 appear. represented by counsel.
Chairman Fow ruled that the committee
was not trial court, and the produc-
ton Of the accused would impugn the
integrity Of members of the House who
had sworn under oath.
1t was nip and tuck between the fac
tions. The Judiciary General Commit
tee room was crowded with members
and visitors The committee adjourned
to meet next evening to hear Represen
tative Smith Chairman Kreps resigned,
first, because he thought the new mem
bers should have u voice in the selec-
ton Of Chairman. and second, be
cause his health is bad; and, as certain
questions may a,ige On which his deci.
sion might no. give satisfaction, he
would retire. His statement was final.
The other members protested, but
Kreps was determined his resignation
should be accepted. "John Fow wa
then elected ChairaaL. Mr.. Dixon
next moved that tie rules adopted by
the former committee should be abol
ished 1t was carried. George Mccain
was the first witness called. Chair
man Fow was elected ipterrogator in
chief.
Mccain had heard rumors Of corrupt
solicitation in connection with the re
consideration of the McCarrell bill
Representative Criste, Of Northumber-
land, was one of the members he had
interviewed.
On February 10 Mr.. Criste said he
was invited into the corridor by Ger
tain man who said to him IL was worth
81 900 to him If he would move TO re
consider t.e vote to postpone. The
man said: "You can give as y1ur eE
cuse that it is done for an old friend
an ex-member Of the House, who is un
der Indictment
Later Mr.. Criste admitted that the
would be teInpter waa ex-Representa-
tive Thomas Moyles, n WilSesbarro
book agent. Moyles said later that il
would help him in his case. He is un
der indictment for conspiracy in con
nection with School Board matter
Criste asked Moyles to write out fol
him what he wanted him &c gay II
making the motion He was prepar
ing to do this when the last day for re
consideration passed There was nc
tender Of cash 20 far NJ Mccain knew
John +. Dyyer was the next witness
He is newspaper man. Iie identified
an article upon bribery that he hao
written. Representative John Engler
of Lycoming, was another man ap
preached ke gaid A man told Dwyer o
the efforts 10 corrupt 900. Engler III
gent to Engler and asked him about II
Engler was loath to talk, but finally
co,,,sented If his name you'd not be ms
ed. Engler said that MicIat T. Cll
! tello asked him to go to the Locbie
Hotel. Engler went and was introqnc