The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-17
GRAND JURY BEGINS
At Guthrie Sitting Legislative
Bribery Charges.
FIRST WITNESS PLEADS
Privileged Communication,
and a Test Is Made Up.

Guthrie, o. T, March 16.-(special.)-The
grand jury's investigation has started out
il way that indicates the determination
Of County Attorney Edgar Jones TO thor
oughIy slft the stories Of doodle and cor
ruption that are current in connection
with certain members Of the Fifth legis-
Iative assembly, and it is claimed that the
grand jury is already in possession Of
sufficient evidence to indict at least two
OF the most prominent members Of the leg
islature over and over again. Seven Of the
members of the upper and lower houses
were subpoenaed 10 appear and testify,
but Of the seven only Representative Had
ley made his appearance. "Gristmill'
Jones has gone TO Hot Springs and Rep
resentatives Walls and Coombs sent doc
tors certificates that they were too Ill to
appear. Representative Thomas has not
been heard from, but ne viii undoubtedly
appear and reiterate the charges Of brib-
cry that he openly proclaimed on the floor
Of the house during the last days session
Senator Biddison was served with sub
pCena but Tefued 10 appear before the
grand jury, claiming exemption as mem
der of the legislature. Undoubtedly q
bench warrant wiz be issued for his ap-
pearance before Judge Burford, who will
pass upon the senator's claim Of exemp-
ton as a witness.
Huse Taylor, the local correspondent Of
a Kansas City newspaper, was the first
witnes to appear before the grand jury
this morning. but be refused to answer the
questions put to him concerning the
stories Of alleged bribery, basing his re-
fusal on the broad grounds of newspaper
ethics, that it would betray the source Of
information impaired in confidence. Tay-
lor will be cited 10 appear before Judge
Burford to give the reason for his refusal
10 testify, as viii also Joe AIcNeal, presi-
dent Of the Guthrie National bank, who
refused to enlighten the grand jury as 10
whether or not certain checks payable TO
certain members of the legislature had
passed through his bank. Banker Bill
ingsley, for whom a subpoena was issued
for a similar purpose, is not in the city.
AS stated above, Representative HadIey
was the only one of the members subpoe-
naed that appeared and tie is said that he
answered all questions put to him boldly
and freely, and seriously discriminating
several Of his late colleagues
Today the county attorney was advised
as 10 some features connected with the
passage of the pharmacy bill, and a sub
poena will be issued for Senator Frank
Hutto o secure from him the name Of the
member of the lower house who is alleged
10 have come upstairs into the council
chamber on the last night Of the session
and boldly offered S25 for votes to pass the
bill. 1t excited considerable wonderment
and remark when Senator Hutto explained
his vote on the final passage Of the bin.
He said: I'm voting against this bill I
am voting against my sentiments. 7 vote
no" In explanation Of this r1vstifvfno
statement the story is told that Senator
Hutto originally favored the pharmacy
oil on its merits. but when a member OF
the lower house approac hed him with an
offeffr OF S25 for his vote his susnic;ons
were aroused and he voted against the
bill.
a number Of Guthrie saloon-keenars
were before the grand jury today and are
said to have testified to the payment IF
money TO secure the passage OF tbo
screen bill" and, T. Is said. soma Of tba
members were suckers enough TO give
written receipts for the money paid them
and these receipts are said TO have baar
produced before the 5urv