The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-03-16
CLAIM TO BE INNOCENT.
Legislative Probers Hear the Men Accused
of Bribery.

Harrisburg, March 16-The bribery
committee met in the house chamber
last evening to hear testimony ON the
charges Of alleged bribery in connection
with the consideration of the McCarreil
jury bill in the house Ex-senator John
j. Coyle of Philadelphia, ex-Representa-
tive Thomas NJ. Moyles of Luzerne and
Michael j. Costello of Williamsport, who
were implicated at the previous sessions
of the committee by the testimony OF
certain witnesses, were present, with
their attorneys, eX-Deputy Attorney
General Lyman ID. Gilbert, Meade d.
Detweiler and George Kunkel, of Har-
risburg. General William II. Koontz,
of Somerset, who offered the resolution
creating the committee, was absent
Representative Sylvester S. Smith, of
Cameron, was the first witness called.
lie asked permission to give his evil
dence without naming the party con
cerned, but if the party should be prose-
cuted he would come forward and give
his testimony, Mr. Smith said he was
not offered any money or corruptly APP
preached on the bill. He was approach
ed by a person, and was so vexed with
the proposition that he left the person
and wrote him a note declining an invi-
tation TO dinner the next day.
Mr.. Smith testified that he went into
room in the capitol and was approach
ed by 2 party, who asked him to help
out with the McCarreil bill just at that
second the door opened, and he left the
&c ON. The party who spoke to the Cam
eron member said there was two and
half in it. Mr.. Randall suggested to
Mr.. Smith that for his own sake, and
for all, he ought to tell the committee
the name. Mr. Smith replied that he
would like to be excused for the present,
and if the party should be implicated in
any way he would come forward to
give the name. Mr.. Smith was excused.
Representative Charles B. Spatz, of
Rerks testified that he had rooms at
the Lochiel hotel from the beginning Of
the session until three weeks ago. A
motion was adopted that Mr.. Spatz be
allowed to make a statement before he
was examined. The Berks member said
that he engaged room at the Lochiel
hotel two weeks before the opening Of
the session. He was a Democratic can
didate for speaker, and wanted to have
headquarters near the state Democratic
headquarters. lie withdrew before the
meeting Of the legislature, in the inter-
est Of Mr.. Greasy, Of Columbia. After
the failure of the fusion movement be-
tween the Democrats and independent
Republicans he decidede to stand by a
Democrat for United States senator. He
learned that a petition was being cir
culated for a fusion between the Demo
Gratis and independent Republicans on
the senatorship, and prepared a petition
of his own, pledging the Democrats to
stand by their caucus nominee. He
thought he saw an inclination on the
part OF Representatives Miller and
Johnston, Of Northampton, and he In.
yited them to go with him 70 Martin
LAWYERS room, where there was pen and
ink. On the way there Mr.. Spatz may
have said there was something in it for
them, but he did not mean money. He
thought a Democrat would be elected
senator, and if such was the case the
signers of the paper would be the
"chosen few and they would be favor
ed with patronage. AT no time did he
offer any one money to sign the paper,
When asked If he was offered any re-
ward for himself or for any member of
his family if he would vote for the Nc
Carrell bill Mr.. Spatz replied: "No, sir;
voted for the bill because l thought it
was a good Democratic measure"
do you know any reason why Messrs.
He'll, Johnston and Miller should say you
offered them money TO sign this paper
or vote for the McCarrell bill?"
II do not"
Mr.. Spatz said he destroyed the orig
inal paper because his name was to it,
and he was ashamed of the poor success
of the movement. At no time did Mr..
Coyle assist the witness to obtain sign
ers to the paper.
Representative John G.. Hersch, OF
Montgomery, testified that the day the
bill was under consideration in the
house he was called out to the rotunda