The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-15
BIG PRICE FOR
SEAT IN SENATE
Half Million Said to Be High Water
Mark in Montana.
FIFTY VOTES AT $4,000 EACH,
John IL. Welcome Accused OF Bribery
and the Case Has Gone TO the SUI
preme COurt-Thirty $1,000
Bills Held Up I'm Full View,

The Supreme Court OF Montana rem
dered an immensely important decision
recently, says the Boston Globe. The
court ordered that John b. Welcome, OF
Butte must plead I'm the action for his
disbarment for bribery of legislators IN
the election last January that seated in
the United States Senate w \. Clark,
multimnlionaire. Of New York and Butte.
Further. the court ordered that IL will
hear tn, case without the intervention OF
a referee.
This decision Is Of grave national import
ance. II is the first step toward arguing
the question. "Can a seat I'm the United
States Senate be bought and sold?'
The people Of Montana believe that the
"high-water" price. 10000. was paid for
the seat in the "best club I'm the world
that Mr. Clark occupies. although the
Senator's name has never been brought
directly and distinctly into the purchase.
They believe that fifty votes were bought
AZ an average price OF $4,000, although
the legislators did not get all OF the half
million.
To make a case before The Committee
on Elections Of the United states Senate
those who accuse Welcome OF bribery
decided that they must begin az home by
having him disDarred.
TO SUPREME COURT.
Acknowledgement Nolan who has been
outside OF factions. greatly interested him
self I'm the case. He dill not go 10 the
lower courts az Helena. but az once 10 the
Supreme Court. I'm which the people have
implicit faith. WELCOME is not rich. but
DISTINGUISHED lawyers have defended him.
and they have fought the case inch boy
inch
Mr.. Clark was an aggressive candidate
for United States Senator IN 1893. but was
beaten. and attributed HIS defeat 20 Mar
Gus DAILY His chance came again at the
session Of the Legislature last winter. for
there was Democratic maJority-seVeh-
tv-four Democrats fifteen Republicans,
four Silver Republicans. one Populist.
The LEGISLATURE met on aJnuary "a.
Welcome and an army Of agents had APP
peared here the week before. Even then
rumors Of bribery flew thick ana fast It
was plaipy stated that Welcome was
paving $4,000 apiece for Clark votes.
On January 9th the two houses ap-
pointed a Joint committee to investigate
the stories Of bribery. which were TOO per-
s,stent 10 b. ignored.
TURNED OVER THE CASH
Fred Whitoside. State Senator from
Fiathead county and an educated man
had already investigated them for him
self. He testified before the committee
and turned over 10 them three envelopes
containing 5000 IN cash II was a dra-
matte scene when Whiteside's testimony
was read before the committee.
Senator's Clark and Myers corrohora'ed
Whiteside
Before the intensely excited spectators
the envelopes were opened. Thirty fresh
crisp S1Ooo bills were separately held up
I'm view. The money was turned over %
the state Treasury TO be reclaimed by It's
owner T. has never been claimed.
Next day Senator Whiteside again bit
teriv attacked Welcome. whose friends
and agents straightway SET up 'ne cry
"rrs ain a conspiracy. The $4,000 is Mar
Gus Daly's money put mp in a diabolical
attempt 10 ruin Clark
4 grand Jury OF Helena men refused 20
indlct any one FOR bribery.