Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-09
LEGISLATORS ON THE STAND
SWEAR THAT FLAT OFFERS OF
CASH WE'RE MADE To THEM.
Supporters of Ex-senator Quny Hold
Meeting mud Decide to stand
H.. Him Ia tho End
senator pcurOsc
Talks.

HARRISBURG. PA. March S.-The legis-
lai.vc prohers into the bribery charges in
connection with the Mccarrcu jury bill
brought out more sensational testimony al
to-night's meeting. Representative Irvine
Johnston. OF Northampton county testified
that. before the passage of the hill he
aad a conversation in Il room al the Lo-
chsel hotel with ex-senator John J. coyle.
Coylc asked Johnston. who is a Democrat
10 sign paper peidsing himself NOT 10
vote for any man for senator but George
a. jerks. Johnston refused To sign it. Coyle
told Johnston. who is a physician. iha; he
was no; feeling We'll and that if he would
write him prescription he tcoylcD would
pay him a Zee of either $50 or $50 10 sign
the paper, TIE witness could not rec pilecI
the exact amount. ccyie urged Johnston 10
sign the paper and he refused. Nothing was
said about voting for anything or mention
ed about legislation. except that the wit
ness should keep on voting for jerks. Coyie
told Johnston that there would DE bills up
later in the session in which there would
be money" and that Coyle would let him
In on them The witness thought the Nc
Carrell bill was mentioned. but could not
recollect. Johnston and Miller saw Coyi..
subsequently at the IIochiei hotel and the
ex-senator offered an amount of money. as
near the witness could recolleCt. 10 sup
ponement.
Miller corroboTated the Testimony of his
colleague relative 10 their visits 10 Coylc's
room. and stated that. on their first visit,
they went to see -Coyle In company with
Representatives Hoch, Hell and Hersch.
Miller was called out OF Coyle's room. and
lie and Johnston were offered SO apiece
by Representative Spatz TO sign the paper
Spatz afterward called Miller aside and
offered him $109. The next time Miller saw
Coyle. the ex-senator asked him what il
would cost TO help him out on the McCar-
scll BILL Miller said that Coyie spoke
about coming in with the boys and that
people often build brick houses when they
20 home from the Legislature. In order
tc get I'm the ring and get divyy on Ger
tain bills. coyle told us We would have 20
sign the paper" Miller added. The witness
said ne was told by Coyle that he could
name a price to vote for the McCarrelI hill
Miller was never made any offer by Coyle
or anybody else to vote for Senator Quay
Representative He'll. of Northampton. tes-
titled that he was offered so by Spatz TO
sign the paper 10 stand by jerks for SELL
aior. and that he refused.
The Republican legislators who are SUP
porting ex-senator Quay for Reelection 10
the United States senate, together with 9TH
er Quayftes, met In the supreme courtroom
this evening for the purpose of discussing
the senatorial situation. State Chairman
Eikin presided, and in calling the meeting
70 order he stated that the friends of Mr.
oHaY had not any tricks ts play on the op-
! posing faction and that they had no special
s1,sdns to divuige. He made a plea for party
regularity and declared principle was in
volyed that must be sustained. Continuing
he said:
Il have many reasons to believe that
Mr.. Quay will he reelected. lie will surely
win this fight I'm the end
Chairman Elkin then introduced to the
caucus. Boies Penrose. as the only United
States senator from Pennsylvania. the
senior senator in fact.
Senator Penrose congratulated the mem
bcrs and senators on the long and gallant
etand they made TO uphold the principles of
Republicanism ia Pennsylvania. and sN-
pressed % me bs,r belief n,, rnat tney would be sus
Senator Penrose said That Mr.. HOlc
would introduce a bill next winter 10
amend the present law as To require d,
plurality in each body 10 elect a United
States senator. He said the caucus con-
pentiOn Of n party Is the only practical
way To secure success of party principles
tn "a free country.
1akin. up the conspiracy charges against
Senator Quay UP 10 the recent postpone
ment Of the trial. He said:
prom that time the farce was over: the
conspiracy was evident: the motive al the
case WAS palpablc 10 all. Can an American
citizen be placed in peril of his political
cnmpaiSn purpose against him: IL that
was the case no man would be safe in a
political contest
Speeches We're also made by Secretary OF
Internal Affairs l-a,ta. Senators McCarrell
and Brown. OF Lawrence: Speaker Farr
and Representative fowler. Chairman Ell
kin wis authorized To telegraph to Mir.
Quay in behalf Of the LEGISLATORS present
that they will stand by him To the end.