The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-31

HARRISBURG, Pa, March so.-The
bribery committee met again at 0
o'clock this morning to take testimony
Into the charges OF alleged bribery in
connection with the United States SEN
atorshlp and the McCarrell jury bill in
| the house.
Mr.. ThompsonS of Wayne, was close
ly questioned concerning his colleague,
Norton, who testified yesterday that he
had been offered $1,000 by Robert Ey-
ans. of Philadelphia. for his vote on the
McCarrell bill. He said Norton told
him he would have to give evidence
against Evans. Representative Pratt,
OF Chester, said Representative Hersch,
OF Montgomery. told him he was offered
$50 TO vote In the negative on the mo-
tion to adjourn the house to prevent q
reconsideration Of the bill. After the
investigation commenced Mr.. Hersch
told the witness that he thought the Of
fer was only Joke.
Mr.. fowler, OF Forest, said member
told him he had been indirectly ap-
proached to change his vote from Quay
to another. This member has not test.
fled. and Mr.. fowler preferred not to
dfvufge his name until after lie has Civ
en- his testimony.
Representative He'll. OF Northampton.
was recalled and testified that Parker
Titus, OF Easton, visited him at his
home and told him he was there to do
business, saying there was two apiece"
Tor s!gners to the SpatZ agreement,
Hell refused to sign the paper, saying
lie was elected as a Democrat and
would vote as Democrat Titus told
him he ought to vote for Quay, and
asked He'll 10 advise him when jerks
was "out of It." Titus requested He'll
not to say anything about the alleged
offer.
A Straisht-Out Offer.
Representative Wilson, Of Westmore-
land, said that at the beginning OF the
senatorial fight 4 friend OF his came 10
him and said II he wished to change
his position there might be something
in it. Mr.. Wilson replied tina. he was
voting with the anti-Quay Republicans
on the senatorship, and would continue
TO do so. This transaction occurred
first at Mr.. Wilson's home at Green's
burg, and afterward at Harrisburg. The
party said that II Wilson thought Of
changing his vote. arrangements could
be made whereby he could get 81, 900
$500 OF which was 10 be paid atonce, and
the balance after he voted. Mr.. Wilson
replied that he would not change his
vote and the conversation ended. He
SAID that the party was q personal
friend and asked that he be shown the
courtesy OF not being required 10 fur
nish the name
The committee decided to ALLOW Mr.
wilson until the next meeting TO dis
close the party's name. II lie refused
then he would be placed in the Gus
tody OF the sergeant-at-arms for con-
tempt.
Mr.. Yates, Of Philadelphia, wos call
ed and asked il he had said to Michael
j. Costello that he had been promised
the nomination for magistrate by Sem
ator David Martin 10 change his vote
from Senator Quay.
Most emphatically no." Mr.. Yates
replied. II never discussed the McCar-
rell bill or the senatorship with Costel-
TO-"
Mr.. crIitenden, OF Potter. testified
that the day before the nomination of
Senator Quay he was taken to the
Lochiel hotel by Newton Peck and In
trodnced 10 ex-senator Andrews and
Senator Merrick From there thew
went to the Commonwealth Hotel
where he was introduced to Mr.. Van
Ialkenbnrg. Mr.. CrI:tenden said Mr..
Van Valkenburg took him into a room
and said to him: Have You not n
couple Of bills from Potter county in
which You are much ipterested?'
Could Help Him.
He also eaid, Crittenden added, that
Senator Quay was under indictment
and that il he did not so into the sena-
torial caucus we are in shape to be OF
some good to YOU"
You weren't offered anything by Mr..
Van Valkenburg?"
mo, SIR"
did you so into the caucus?",
Yes, sir. l voted for Senator Ouav
and have since been voting for him"
did you understand this offer TO Won
to be an inducement to change your
vote?" ''
II did not"
rs Mr., Van vallsenburs opposing
your legislation"
II think he Is"
What information have you that Mr.
Van Valkenburg is opposing your leg
islatlon?"
Because some OF the members who
agreed to support mS' bills are not do
ing So"
When you told Mr.. Van Valken.
burg that YOU were going to vote for
Mr.. Quay did he ask You to change your
vote?" w.
"He did not. He simply said we ar.
In a position to help along on your
bills" ~
Mr. Van valkenburg asked that he BIO
allowed to testify, aud the COMMITTEES
agreed to hear him next Tuesday after
noon.
= The committee adjourned until mex,
Inesday afternoon when encompasses
mnn kulp will be present to answer tho
charges OF Representative Francis +
Brown. OF Union, that he offered him
$500 to absent himself from the first ses-
sion OF the Joint convention to ballot for
United States senator.
~ '"NShpu'E Nc's NcrVONS.
Immediately after the adjournment
OF the committee, E. a. Van Valken-
burg entered the room and asked that It
be re-conrcned. He said he had a Wit
ness whom he wished to be heard in !
relation to Mr.. Crlttendcn's testimony.
The person whs B. A. Stebbns, OF Poi.
Ter county. To give him chance 10
TESTIFY the committee ro-convnnnd
Mr. Stcbb!ns was sworn and testified
mat he knew Mr. Van Nalkcnburg and
Mr.. Crittendcn, and that he saw them