The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-07
Clark Of Montana.

Clark Of Montana.
In the L. S. Senate last Monday,
Senator Daniel was sworn in with the
rest Of the Senators for a third term
After that Mr.. Garter, Of Montana
presented memorial from some OF the
members Of the Montana Legislature
against the "validit Of the pretended
election Of william A. CLARK. " TO the
Senate. The memorial recites that
Mr.. CLARK did secure and procure
votes in this legislative assembly by
the payment therefor Of large sums OF
money. Further the 'memorialists
and protestants do aver that the said
William A. CLARK by himself and his
agents did bride suudry members Of
said legislative assembly TO vote for
him for said office. the memorislists
alleging that he was not the untram-
meled choice Of the Legislature OF
Montana.
II is recited that the sum of $50 600
paid to members Of the Legislature by
Mr.. Clarke or his agent for votes, was
produced in open session of the Legis-
lature, and deposited in the Treasury
of Montana where it still remains IN
claimed by Mr.. CLARK. The sum OF
$50 900, it is alleged. was to be paid
for the votes for four members OF the
Legislature. 1t is alleged that the
$50. 900 is but small fraction OF the
amount expended by Mr.. CLARK to COM
pass his election. The memorialists
offer to show to the Senate ample evil
dence TO establish the charges they
make.
The charges are signed by Henry 5.
Stiff, Speaker Of the House, and o.
other member OF the Montana Legisla-
ture Mr.. Garter also presented pc
tition signed by Robert B. Smith,
Governor Of Montana. T. f. Collins,
State Treasurer, Henry S. Stiff, aud
many other prominent cisizens Of Mon
tana, asking for an early and full
hearing Of the charges against Senator
CLARK.
CONSPIRACY AND CORRUPTION.
The petition declares that for the
purpose Of securing the support OF
members Of said legislative assembly
to vote for and elect the said William
A. CLARK, he did confederate and con-
spire with parties named and I'M
named by. the petitioners, to corrupt
bride and buy the members OF said
legislative assembly, and TO thereby
secure their votes in behalf Of the can
didacy Of said william A. CLARK. " 1t
is allied that CLARK did, in the further
ance Of his desires, pay large sums OF
money to the memb ers Of the Legis-
lature for their votes. The petition
then names a number Of members OF
the Legislature, with sums they are
alleged TO have received set opposite
their names. The sums aggregate, &C
cording to the petition, about $500.
900.
In addition to the sums alleged to
have been paid by Senator CLARK to
persons named for their votes or In
fiuenoe, it is asserted that Senator
Clarke offered to various persons for
their votes or influence sums aggrega'
ting $l75, 00O These persons are also
famed in. the petition.
CLARK's EMPHATIC DENIAL.
The Washington, d. o Post says
lit is a fact which cannot be ques-
toned" said Senator CLARK Of Mon
tana, to a representative OF The Post
last night, that not one member Of
the Montona Legislature who is alleged
to have been bribed ever cast his vote
for me for the position Of United
States Senator, with the exception of
single man, who voted for me from
the first and who upon the floor OF the
joint convention denounced the mar
who charged him being bribed as
liar and q scoundrel. Further thar
this, if the investigation into my
election is pressed it will afford mt
great pleasure to repel by every mem
Der of the Legislature, il necessary
who cast his vote for me. the charg'
that the member did not do so freely,
voluntarily, and without any induce
ment whatever offered by me.