The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-16

HELENA, Mont. Nov 15.-The case OF
Attorney John b. Welcome. In disbarment
proceedings. has been on trial here In the
supreme court for the past ten days. and
political circles are again agitated through
out tho state. Many members of the legis-
lature are at the capital. and a large num-
Der OF witnesses are present from nearly
every county in the state.
The suit was brought by the attorney
general at the instance Of Fred White
side, ex-senator, who seeks to deprive
Welcome OF the right TO practice In the
state courts on tho ground that he was
the agent OF w. A. Clark during the last
legislature and improperly disbursed funds
In the senatorial contest.
Factions In Democratic Party.
The Democratic party OF the state is
now and has been for several years. d.
vided into two factions, the controlling
forces being directed on one side by Mar
Gus DAILY and on the other side sy w. A.
Clark. Just how long this factional fight
has been going on no one seems to DELI
niteiy know. but all agree that it had It's
origin many years ago. Twice the infiu-
cnce of Daily. so II Is claimed. has defeated
the political aspirations OF Clark. once as
delegate to congress and again for the
United States senate In 1893. The strength
OF the Clark faction was thrown TO Helena
In the contest for the location Of the capi-
tai, and resulted In the defeat Ut the Ana
conda influence. and afterward Clark suc-
ceeded In his election 70 the United States
senate so that up to the present time hon
ors have been about even. These contests
for the political supremacy of the state
have been waged so bitterly that 1t is al
most impossible TO find anyone in the state
who Is not strongly In sympathy with one
side or the other.
Both leaders are multi miiIionaires. bank
ers. employ large number OF men. have
newspapers TO back UP their opinions. and
are directly interested In mining and near
iy every other enterprise that has been
beneficial In the material development OF
the state.
Daily Said to Re Behind Ii.
The friends OF Clark openly assert.
without reserve. that the present suit Is
not really directed a, Welcome. but that
the underlying motive is to establish a
court record which can be used at Wash
ington as the foundation of a protest
against the seating Of Clark in the Unit
ed States senate. The friends Of Daily,
on the other hand. claim that the present
action Is purely in the interest OF honest
politics, and that Mr.. DAILY is not per-
sonally interested In the case. Some OF
Them mildly admit, however. that shoui9
the ruling Of the supreme court result
in the disharment OF Welcome. that the
evidence would he used in n protest
against seating Clark.
Republicans Encourage the Trouble.
While this factional warfare is being
waged by the Democrats, the Republicans
are quietly eneourag ging the fight. hoping
to keep the party divided and thereby
elect the next legislature and return Car
ter as his own successor 10 the United
States senate.
Some of the most conservative citizens
SepIore the fact that two men SO closely
allied with the commercial interests Of
the state should be opposed 10 each other
when there are apparently SO many rea-
sons why they should be the best OF
friends.
The case now on trial has developed
some interesting political history and
opened up again all the evidence in con
nection with the alleged bribery case OF
the las; legislature.
Hiatory OF the Alleged Bribery.
As 81 matter of history II win be re-
,nernbered that there were numerous
charges NJ bribery; that an investigating
committee was appointed: that Senator
vhitessGe produced and turned over 20
the committee 81 CO. which he alleged
had been given him by Attorney Welt
cosne 10 secure his owa and two other
votes for Clark Later the matter mas
laid before the grand Jury OF Lewis ard
Clark counties fer action. and after ex-
anintng farfy-four witnesses. the finding
seine evidence. tending - show that
money had been used IN the election OF
= Tnitsa States senator. the evidence
taken 81 together. was rot sufficient 20
warrant convicfina by a trial jury
After these developments ]. H. tSesger,
Republican. Of FIashead county. entered
o contest Ter the seat of wn.tsxiae and
IN. Clark Democrats voting 'xttA the Re-
rrblicsrs. unse.set whs.es.ae and seat
t9 CseIger Three days later w A Clark
VISA elected SO TIRE senate receiving "a
os the - votes cast Including the votes
- tfeger aad tea other Republicans
Prosecution Makes a Stronx Case.
IL the cass new em trial the prosecuted
has ciosea. Ard esairs th&; they have fna1s