The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-07
TWO REPORTS MADE.
The Bribery Investigation Committee Has
Finished Its Work.

Finished Its Work.
Salt Lake, Utah, March 6.-The legis-
lative investigating committee submit
ted "a majority and minority report to
the joint assembly si1is afternoon. The
majority report is signed by Senator
Whitney and Representatives Stewart.
Mansfield, Sorensen and Cummings.
The minority report is signed by Sem
ators Shurtliff and Howelis.
The findings of the majority report
are as follows:
/. In the matter of the charge of
bribery preferred by Representative
Law against w. A. McCune, we find
after the most careful consideration.
that the charge is not sustained by the
evidence.
2. In the Sloan Nebeker, we find tat
the said r. W. Sloan improperly APP
preached Senator w. G. Neheker for the
purpose of securing Nebeker's support
for Mr.. McCune, but the evidence does
not established an attempted bribery
or other public offense.
3. In the Ivine-J ackson case the evil
dence is not sufficient to justify the
conclusion that any attempt was made
to secure by improper means Mr.. Jach-
sons vote. We believe that Mr. Jack
son, in this matter. labored under an
honest but mistaken impression.
The Lapish charge-a supplemental
case. it is one in which the evidence
bearing upon the statement is not suffi-
cent TO warrant the finding of an at
tempted bribery or other public offense.
In conclusion we record our emphatic
disapproval of the present method of
conducting senatorial campaigns, par
ticularly the practice, by senatorial
candidates, of opening headquarters.
employing numerous assistants and en-
tertaining by means of free dinners
free theaters and other gratuitous dis
pensations. persons whose votes are de-
sired by the candidates at whose ex-
pense these things are provided. 1t not
only tends to evil, but it works evil
and in the interests of good govern
ment, pure elections and that higher
political morality which all good citi-
zens desire to see attained, the prac-
tice should be abolished. We also con-
denim the crculations of unfounded ru-
mors designed to influence the pros
poets of senatorial candidates.
we have considered with great care
and much elaboration the case of AL
bert A. Law against A. W. McCuna,
and from the evidence introduced we
are of the opinion, by testimony which
to our mind is entirely satisfactory.
that A. w. McCune did. by the use of
money, attempt to secure the vote of
Albert A. Law, a member Of the house
of representatives, for him, the said
A. w. McCune. for senator.
From the evidence which we have
received we are likewise of the opinion
that r. w. Sloan, acting for and on
behalf of A. W. McCune, on or about the
18th day of February 1899. improperly
approached S. w. G. Nebeker, a state
senator, for the purpose of securing
said Nebeker's support for A. w. Me
Cune.
I'VE find from the evidence intro
duced respecting the charges made by
Representative Lapish that, while the
charges have not been fully corrobo-
rated, Mr.. Lapish is impressed with
the honest belief that D. c. Dunbar,
acting for A. w. McCune, did attempt
to influence his vote by indicating to
said Lapish, who was securing patent
for device to be attached to airbrak S
upon railroads (and who is afflicted with
the intirmty of blindness), that if said
McCune was elected United States SEN
ator he would assist the said Lapsh in
furthering or prosecuting his invention,
and that if he was not elected he could
not do so.
I'VE further find from the evidence
that certain contract in writing was
entered into in October last year be-
tween R. c. Chambers and A. w. Nc
Cune, by which McCune agreed to pay
Chambers all losses which might be
incurred in publishing the Herald for
five months, together with 1886 over
draft incurred in October, the said
Chambers having the option to March
l to reimburse McCune one-half the
losses so paid by him, or to give said
McCune 495 shares of the Herald COM
pany stock.
I'VE further find that the losses for
the five months aggregate 1900 which.
added to the overdraft, makes total
of $500, which was paid by McCune in
of this contract.
I'VE further find that at the time the
contract was entered into Mr.. Cham
bers was hold-over state senator, and
that Mr.. McCune had, prior to that
time, announced himself a candidate far
United States senator. While both Mr.
Chambers and McCune, in their testi-
mony, insist that this contract was
made without the slightest intention on
the part of either by it to affect the
senatorial contest, the least that can be
said of it is that under the circum-
stances, it was improper and injudicious
in the extreme"
After the reading of the reports, the
joint assembly adjourned until $50
o'clock tomorrow morning, when the
reports will be taken up for discus
sion.
Shows No Change.
Sacramento CAL. March 6.-The 72d ball
lot for United States senator was taken
at noon. 1t showed no change in the SEN
atorial deadlock. The vote was as fol-
lows: Barnes, %; Estee, /: Burns, %:
Grant, %; Scott ); Rosenfed DEM ..