The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-31
DID CLARK BUY HIS SEAT?
sBsAr TIE COMMITTEE TO ISTEsTI6AT TIE
CHARGES OF BRIBERY

Contest Over . Seat In tho Senate in which
the State OF Montana Il Interested
Charges That Hardly Any of Clark's
supporters Received Less Than $4,000.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 3o-Immediatsly after
Congress reassembles next week the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections will be-
gin the Investigation OF the charges OF bribery
nled as protest against the right OF W. A.
Clark to occupy a seat in the Senate from the
State OF Montana Judging by the documents
already on file with the committee. the news
paper reports and the communications sent TO
the Senate. the case bids fair to develop sensa-
tional features and TO become noted IN tho
Senate annals. The State OF Montana is deeply
Interested in the outcome. and the Supreme
Court has already assed u~on some features
OF the controversy. The politicians OF both
parties arc active and many OF them will DO In
Washington. Some arc already here and the
Governor and Attorney General OF the State.
the Speaker OF the House OF Representatives
and other State officials are expected here next
week. large number OF witnesses have been
subprnaed on both 6! los, although during tho
pas, few days an attempt has been made by
the senate committee to reach an agreement
BY which the number OF witnesses can be re-
duced IN order to lessen the expense to the
Government, which. in any case. will be great.
Information has reached Washington during
the past day or two that some OF the witnesses
who are wanted to testify against Clark can
not be found. One OF these, Nj. Cason. who
was before the Supreme Court in the Welcome
case. i. now said to be In Vancouver. out OF
reach OF subpoena.
The protest against Clark upon which tho
Senate will act was presented by Senator Car
ter at the time Mr.. Clark was sworn 10. II as
serts that Mr.. Clark purchased his seat In the
Senate. charges corruption and bribery. gives
the names OF mem bers Of the Montana Legs
ature whose votes. It says. Clark bought: men
lions other members whose support he tried to
buyand In instances the purchase price is stated.
According 20 the protest, hardly any member
who supported Clark received less than S10.-
600. while the amount paid to certain indvi-
duhs for their influence and their vote was
more than double that number OF Thousands.
in fact, this alleged transaction involves total
which Is greater than the aggregate OF all tho
election corruption funds into which the Fed
eral Senate has made inquiry since the founda-
ton Of the Government
The story OF what happened last winter In
the Montana Legislature Is interesting In
the Legislature that assembled In January In
the city OF Helena were seventy-four Demo
Gratis. sixteen Republicans. four Silver Repub-
leans and one Popullst. Inc eiectlon Oh
senator was the business OF greatest impor-
lance before the Legislature. Mr.. Clark was a
candidate. aud early in the session his friends
predicted his election on the first, or, at least
on the second ballot. This claim was the more
strange by reason OF the fact that Dir. ClaiI's
own county In the Legislature was represented
b. thirteen Democrats who. to man. were
vigorous in their opposition to him. No caucus
Q. the Democrats was held. There was plenty
9! current talk about bribery. but at first al
His talk amounted to mere allegation and nc
d mite proofs were produced.
lust prior to the day when IL became the
DUTY Of the Legislature 10 begin ballotlng iol
tine choice Of IA Senator, attention was lormali(
called in tho two houses TO the current TAN
RvoUt bribery. aud forthwith a Joint commIttG.
:" INJURY was ordered. The next day thu
startling in lis detail, II took tho Legislature
Il riy ~ their feet. The Joint committee re-
ported, in part. that through the agency o
john Is. Welcome and others brides had peer
gwen or offered TO many members OF N,
legislature. that the list included Senate
w. A Clark OF Madison county. 10 WHOM $ln,,
90 had been given Senator Myers % Nevs,dii
Who received $4,000 and Senator Whitssid'