The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-26
The MONTANA
BRIBERY CASE.
The Serious Charges Made
Against Senator ". A. Clark.
SUMS SAID TO HAVE BEEN PAID
Alleged 10 Have Ranged From $4,000
10 $4,000 10 Each Legislator
CHARGES MADE IN THE MEMORIAL.
Fifteen Bribes Of $4,000 Each Arc Distinctly
Specified Governor and 0Iher State Officers
Reported 10 Be Behind Charges.
Alleged 10 Have Ranged From $4,000
10 $4,000 10 Each Legislator
CHARGES MADE IN THE MEMORIAL.

Washington, Dec. 26.-In view OF the
action of the Supreme Court of Mon
tana in dlsbarring John b. Welcome.
Senator w. A. Clark's attorney, on the
charge OF bribery. II is believed here
that the Senate committee on privileges
and elections will be obliged to hasten
its consideration OF the bribery charges
against Clark.
The sentence of the Supreme Court
disbarring Welcome on finding him
guilty of bribery fixes the case with
defintteness that cannot be ignored In
the papers filed with the Senate there
is testimony from Welcome himself de-
claring that he is one OF the attorneys
for w. A. Clark. and that he has\ been
his attorney since 1892. He admits be-
ing the manager of Clark's campaign,
and that ne was one OF the disbursing
agents of the candidate. Welcome con-
fesses TO giving various small sums of
money TO many persons. but declares
that IL was for legitimate expenses.
The evidence OF bribery against We'll
come must have been convincing TO
carry with IL a StnltHct Oh ulSDdTfneIt
from the Supreme Court. and II is like
ly to go hard with CLARK when the
United States Senate considers that
same testimony. The charges come from
the governor Of the state. the state
treasurer, the state auditor. the speak
er OF the Assembly and from the Mon
tana members OF Congress.
ANTI-CIARK MENfoRIAT.
In rectting the history OF Clark's al
legged purchase of his seat in January,
1899. the Montana memorial filed with
the Senate says:
That. for the purpose of securing
the support OF the members OF the Leg
fslative Assembly TO vote for and elect
William A. Clark, the said William A.
Clark did confederate and conspire
with John Il. Welcome and Others
(named) to corrupt bribe and buy the
members OF the said Legislative As
sembly. and TO thereby secure their
votes in behalf OF the candidacy of
William A. Clark. That. i'm pursuance
of said confederation and conspiracy
as aforesaid. the said William A Clark,
John Il. Welcome and other cocoon
sprators Gid pay out large sums of
money TO the members OF the Legisla-
tive Assembly, II being the under
standing That said money so paid was
PAID and used TO corrupty influence
the action of members Of the said Leg
islative Assembly, and in consideration
of the money so paid many OF the said
members were TO and did vote for the
said William A. Clark for the Office of
United States Senator from the State
of Montana"
Then follows list OF members OF the
legislative assembly TO whom il is al
legged w: A. Clark paid money for their
votes. The sums vary from $50. 900 TO
$4,000. Fifteen bribes OF $4,000 each are
distinctly specified. seven of sl5, 900 each
TWO of $4,000, one OF $1,000 another of
10000, two Of $1,000. one of $4,000 one of
$4,000 and one Of $4,000. In addition TO
the sums thus paid, according to the
memorial, Senator Clark acting by
and through his confederates associ-
ates and employees" made numerous Of
fers for votes. These offers. with the
names of the persons approached, are
given in full, the sums ranging from
$1,000 to $4,000.
UNIQUE CASE
No case that has been Investigated by
the United States senate has ever APP
proa he'd the Clark scandal in the mag
nltude OF its alleged debauchment of
members Of a legislative assembly. The
petitioners for an investigation offer 10
furnish copies OF the evidence on
b. which John B. Welcome has been dis
barred. In addition thereto the evil
dence laid before the grand jury and
the legislative investigating committee
is offered. It is declared that the gov
ernor and other state officials stand
ready 10 prove their charges
New York. Dec. 26.--Iobn u. Welcome
who is a guest I'm the Waldorf Astoria
denies absolutely the charges against
him despite the decision OF the SUI
preme court.
"Those charges arose" he said. "out
Of the we'll known enmity OF Marcus
palys friends for Senator Clark" Mr..
Welcome said he had intended to make
a trip 10 Mexico. hut that the uneN-
pected developments in his case would
cnnse him TO return at once 20 Mon