The record-union., 1899-01-24
ToP-NoTcHERs TESTIFY.
Senatorial Candidates and Others
Tell About Campaign funds.

The Wright Investigating Committee
met shortly after 10 o'clock a. m. yes
terday in the Assembly chamber of the
Capitol building, and received the re-
port of their clerk on the subject of
subpenas. The latter stated that
Messrs. Herrin. Gunst, Preston and
Copeland would be in attendance at
2:3O o'clock p. m.
Then Daniel Cole was duly sworn,
and said in substance that he was we'll
acquainted with Assemblyran Clough
that, in fact, they were warm and in
innate friends, and had been for many
years. When he heard that his friend
Clough had received the nomination for
the Assembly he wrote him a letter OF
congratulation, in which he had as
sured him that if he needed any fnan-
cial assistance in his campaign it would
be furnished without cavil.
Witness said he could not give the
exact wording of the letter, but thought
he had stated that Grant was his
his friend and that as he would prob
ably have the votes of some forty or
fifty members of the Legislature for
the position of United States Senator,
he ought surely to be elected.
Witness said he had made the offer
without any thought of attempting to
offer any bribe, or to influence the vote
Of his honest old friend Clough: nor
had he, to the best of his memory,
made the offer conditionally upon
Coughs voting for Grant. He was
too well acquainted with the honorable
character of the man he was address
ing, he said, to attempt anything Of
the kind. even if personally he would
feel inclined to lend himself to any
such act.
AT all events, said Cole, the money
was not accepted, and a return letter
from Clough so informed him. The let
ter also made it plain that Clough
wanted no help of any kind, as he
would surely win his fight without
money.
Learning this" continued the wit
ness, land understanding. that the
money had been furnished for the pur-
pose of electing Republican Legisla-
ture, I Immediately made inquiries in
other directions to find where it could
be distributed to the best advantage of
the party's interests Witness said
the money was furnished by Milton ].
Green, and amounted to $500. At the
time he wrote to Clough Cole was not
aware that it was Grant money, and
he was not personally aware, even at
this time, that the cash had been fur
nished by Grant.
Witness said he had given Assembly
man Jilson the sum of $500 and asked
him to use it in furthering the interest
of the Governor. Judge Van Fleet and
others on the ticket. Jilson had in no
wise pledged himself to vote for any
one. He (Cole) had said that Grant
was his friend, but the understanding
was that the money was to be ex-
pended for the use of the whole ticket.
Witnss said he had made trip over
portions of the State with Grant, and
that the latter paid all hotel bills. ETC.
Cole said he had simply introduced
Grant to the people, so that he could
get in close touch with them.
Witness said that he had thought Jill
son would certainly vote for Grant,
and in answer to questions said: II
don't know whether I would have
given the money to Jilson or not. had
I not thought he would vote for Grant;
but even though he did not favor Can
the election of the rest of the ticket"
Witness said that, to the best of his
recollection. he had not made a posi-
tive statement in his letter to Clough
that forty or fifty men We're pledged
to Grant. He had said that probably
that many would vote for Grant He
had never attempted to bribe any one,
nor had he even attempted to pledge
any one for Grant or any other candi-
date.
BELSHAW'S STORY.
Assemblyman Belshaw was next up,
and testified that he was acquainted
with r. c. Dale, and had been present
with him in the lobby of the Golden
Eagle Hotel when conversation was
had relative to financial offer having
been made to Dale in order to influence
his vote
Witness said he had had quite long
talk with Dale. The latter did not
think witness had done right in placing
him in a position where he would be
compelled to appear and testify before
the committee. Belshaw said Dale had
declared that when the offer was made
him he did not believe it to have been
made in earnest. He thought of it
more in the light of jest.
Witness said he had questioned Dale
on the subject in order to learn wheth-
er Bulla was using money unlawfully.
He did not imagine that such could by
any means be a possibility, but If 1t
was, he wanted to be so informed, so