The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-27
MR.. DAVIS
ARRESTED.
NJ. !.
Warrant Charges Him
nA With Attempted
Bribery.
FIJI. LATTOMUS THE ACCUSER
He Says Ex.Representa-
tive Davis Offered to
Raise a $1,000 Mort
gage if He
g. Would
VOTE FOR Mr. ADDlcKs.
VOTE FOR Mr. ADDlCKS.

Dover this morning and Will serve
warrants on the Republicans there.
Mr.. Davis and the other men were
to be there at the request of Attor-
ney-General White. The arrest of
the Republicans has caused much
discussion and not few Republic
cans journeyed to Dover to witness
the result Of the unexpected termi-
nation Of the investigation.
Mr.. Davis, who is the Union Re-
publican leader of Sussex county,
and who was one Of the most promi-
nent men in the House Of Represen-
tatives, is charged in the warrant
with having attempted to bride
Francis H. Lattomus, a Regular
Republican member from Appoquin-
mink Hundred, to vote for John Ed
ward Addicks for Senator. The
arrest is the outcome of the revela-
tions made by eX-Representative
Lattomus to Deputy Attorney Cen
eral Cooper, while at Mr.. Cooper's
office on Friday. Mr.. Lattomus told
his story in the presence of Mr..
Cooper, Detective McVey and Vim.
Michael Byrne, a Regular Republi-
can leader of this city, who was act
ing as his counsel.
The story as told by Mr.. Lattomus
was that about two weeks before
the adjournment of the Legislature
he was met on Lockerman street,
Dover, by Mr.. Davis, who said he
understood there was $1,000 morh
gage on his Townsend farm and that
this mortgage would be lifted if Mr..
Lattomus would vote for Mr.. Addicks
for Senator. Lattomus replied that
he would not do so. Mr.. Lattomus
said Mr.. Davis suggested that the
money might be given to Mrs. Lat
tomus, but Mr.. Lattomus would not
agree to it. Mr.. Lattomus made
affidavit to a statement to the above
effect.
But the story as heard during
the Legislative session was in many
particulars different from that re-
Gently sworn to by Mr.. Lattomus.
1t was that after he showed his hand
in the organization of the House, he
remarked to several Union Republl-
cans that he did not see how he
could make any money and that
there was mortgage on his farm
that he could not lift. There was
nothing said by the Union men in
reply, however.
The proposed arrest Of Mr.. Davis
and the other Union men was gen.
orally discussed yesterday, and
much regret expressed for them. 1t
was universally hoped that the ac-
cused men would be able to clear
themselves of the charges made
against them.
MIR. DYRNE TALKS.
Mr.. Byrne said yesterday:
~ cannot, of course, discuss the
proceedings instituted by the Attor-
ney Generals Office in relation to the
alleged bribery said to have been
attempted at Dover during the re-
cent session of the Legislature.
II have no personal knowledge
whatever of any attempted bribery,
and for me to take any active part
in the halter would be usurping the
functions of the Attorney General, a
course as foreign to my lnclin atoms
as it would be distasteful to that of.
fetal. If the law has been violated
it ought to be indicated, and if !
am asked in a professional way
what the law Is on such matters,
shall expound the law as it is writ
ten without any fear or thought of
personal or political expediency.
While l believe that any person hav-
ing knowledge Of any violation of
the law, owes a duty to the State to
unfold that knowledge to the Attor-
ney General upon proper require
ment, | also hold that no man should
connect another S name with any al
legged offense on any rumor, suspi-
cion or vague statement. The con-
nectioa of any person with an al
legged offense should be clear and
unequivocal before any one would
be justified in naming that person
as in any way participating in the
violation of our laws.
"Not having any personal know.
ldge of the bribery charges, any
knowledge coming to me in a profess
sional way, could not, Of course, be
publicly discussed"
Mr.. Byrne would not talk concern
ing the. accusation against Mr.. Da-
Wis, claiming that he did not know
the Milford Representative was 60
ing to be arrested.
DID NOT KNOW OF ARRESTS.
A dispatch from Milford last night
said:
"Representative Mark l.. Davis,
for whose arrest it is said a warrant
will be issued tomorrow, in connec-
ton with Attorney General Whites
investigation of the alleged bribery
cases was seen at his home tonight.
did you know that you are to be
arrested in Dover Tomorrow he
was asked.
~ know nothing about that" the
hssemblyman replied, 81 am going
to Dover tomorrow, but l hope not
to be arrested.
"Are you going in response to a
call from Attorney General White in
the bribery investigation"
"Eo, sir; am not, and ! know
nothing about his Investigation
SENATOR ABBOTT AT DOVER.
A dispatch from Dover says:
"Sen ator Abbott, Of Milford, a close
friend Of Mr. Davis, arrived in Do
yer last night and is visiting Sena-
tor Alice. When asked what
scheme was going on. he said his
visit had no political significance.
MR.. DAVIS ARRESTED.
Dover, March 27-Ex-Representa-
tive Mark l.. Davis was arrested
here at IL o'clock this morning by
Detectives McVey and Witsil, who
took him before Magistrate John
Hatton, who held him under $1,000
bail to answer the charge Of at