The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-16
HEARING THE ACCUSED
In the Charges of Alleged Attempt
ed Bribery in Harrisburg.
NO MONEY OFFERED TO MEMBERS.

Messrs. spatz and Costello Reply to
Their Accusers, and Mr.. spatz De-
clares He. Can Give No Reason why
Such Charges should Be Made.
Harrisburg, March 16.-The bribery
committee met in the house chamber
last evening to hear testimony on the
charges Of alleged bribery in connection
with the consideration Of the McCarreil
jury bill in the house. Ex-senator John
]. Coyle of Philadelphia, ex-Representa-
tive Thomas M. Moyles Of Luzerne and
Michael J. Costello of Williamsport, who
were implicated at the previous sessions
Of the committee by the testimony of
certain witnesses. We're present, with
their attorneys, ex-Deputy Attorney
General Lyman u. Gilbert, Meade d.
Detweiler and George Kunkel, Of Har-
risburg. General William H. Koontz,
Of Somerset, who offered the resolution
creating the committee, was absent.
Representative Sylvester s. Smith, of
Cameron, was the first witness called.
He asked permission to give his evil
dence without naming the party con-
cerned, but If the party should be prose-
cuted he would come forward and give
his testimony. Mr.. Smith said he was
not offered any money or corruptly ap-
preached on the bill. He was approach,
ed by a person, and was so vexed with
the proposition that he left the person
and wrote him a note declining an invi-
tation to dinner the next day.
Mr.. Smith testified that he went into
Il room in the capitol and was approach
ed by party, who asked him to help
out with the McCarrell bill. Just at that
second the door opened, and he left the
re ON. The party who spoke to the CAM
eron member said there was two and II
half" in it. Mr.. Randall suggested to
Mr. Smith that for his own sake, and
for all, he ought to tell the committee
the name. Mr. Smith replied that he
would like to be excused for the present,
and if the party should be implicated in
any way he would come forward to
give the name. Mr.. Smith was excused
Representative Charles b. Spatz, of
Berks, testified that he had rooms at
the Lochiel hotel from the beginning of
the session until three weeks ago. A
motion was adopted that Mr.. Spatz he
allowed to make a statement before he
was examined. The Berks member said
that he engaged Il room at the 1.ochitl
hotel two weeks before the opening OF
the session. He was a Democratic can
didate for speaker, and wanted to have
headquarters near the state Democratic
headquarters. He withdrew before the
,,n e bo -, ~.
est of Mr.. Greasy. of Columbia. After
the failure of the fusion movement be-
tween the Democrats and independent
Republicans he decidede to stand by a
Democrat for United States senator. He
learned that Il petition was being cir
culated for Il fusion between the Demo
Gratis and independent Republicans on
the senatorship, and prepared Il petition
of his own. pledging the Democrats to
stand by their caucus nominee. He
thought he saw an inclination on the
part of Representatives Miller and
Johnston. of Northampton. and he ia
vited them to go with him to Martin
LAWYERS room. where there was pen and
ink. On the way there Mr.. Spatz may
have said there was something in it for
them, but he did not mean money. He
thought a Democrat would be elected
senator, and il such was the case the
signers Of the paper would be the
"chosen few and they would be favor
ed with patronage. At no time did he
offer any one money to sign the paper
When asked if he was offered any re-
ward for himself or for any member Of
his family if he would vote for the Nc
Carroll bill Mr.. Spatz replied: NO sir:
l voted for the bill because thought it
was a good Democratic measure"
do you know any reason why Mcssrs.
He'll, Johnston and Miller should say you
offered them money to sign this paper
or vote for the McCarrell billY'
II do not"
Mr.. Spatz said he destroyed the orig
inal paper because his name was to if.
and he was ashamed of the poor success
of the movement. At 10 time did Mr..
Coyle assist the witness to obtain sign
crs to the paper.
Representative John G. Hersch, Of
Montgomery, testified that the day the
bill was under consideration in the
house he was called ont to the rotunda
by Mr.. Rosenberg and told that he had
a petition asking him to sign the bill.
He did not offer any inducement to sup
port the bill, but said: THE saying was
that there was something in it to support
the bill but he had not seen any YETI
He tRosenberry) did not show Mr..
Hersch the petition until last week. Mr..
Rosenberg laughingly asked his col
league the day OH which the bill was
aff, h,
$50 to vote to reconsider the bill if he
would do So ard Mr.. Herself replied that
he would not
Mr.. Costello testified that he came to
Harrisburg Feb. 5, in the interest of
brother in WillamSport, who is charged
with conspiracy in the I.ycoinng county
courts. Knowing the power of the dis
trict attorney to stand aside jurors, Mr..
Costello thought he would do all he
could to aid his brother. The witness
then came 10 Harrisburg TO urge the
passage Of the Mctarrell bill. He spoke
10 Coyle in the interest of the bill in the
prcsense OF Representative John Englcr,
Of Lycoming. On the day Mr.. Costello
came to Harrisburg he met Coyle whom
he met two years previous. He was in
vited to Coylr's room, and remained
there a few minutes. Afterward he
saw Mr.. Englrr and told him he was
there TO assist in the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Costello denied that he took Mr..
Engler to Eoyle's room, but he intro
duced him TO Coylr because they were
of his religions belief He
asked Mr.. Englcr to vote for the bill,
first at the lochicl hotel, and later at