Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-10


MONEY WAS OFFERED FOR
SUNDRY PURPOSES. AND THAT
MORE WAS TO BE DIVIDED
AMONG THE BOYS" IF GER
TAIN LEGISLATION WAS ADJ
VOCATED.
Harrisburg, Pa. March George A.
| jerks the Democratic caucus nominee
| for United States Senator, was an in
terested spectator at to-night's session
of the bribery investigation commit
| tee.
| Georse Knox Mccain, of the Phil
adelphia Press, was recalled and testi-
fed that Representative Sylvester S.
Smith, of Cameron, told him that he
had been offered $3.50 to vote to re-
| consider the vote by which the McCar-
rell bill had been postponed by the
House until March 81. The name of
the party making the offer was not
developed.
Representative B. Frank Miller. of
Northampton. repeated his allegation
that Representative Charles p. Spatz.
of Berks. had told him that there was
| $50 in it for signing the papers in the
hands of ex-senator John J. Coyle, of
Philadelphia, to stand by Mr.. Jerks for
Senator, and that afterward Mr.. Spatz
offered him 500. "A reputable men,
n
ued, told me that he thought the
name of Representative John +. Hoy.
of Clarion, was on the paper" Mr..
Miller produced a small memorandum
book from which he read the follow
! ing:
"On January %, 1899, offered by
Spatz $50 to He'll and Miller, later 500.
Coyle, on the evening of the same date
to sign my name to paper pledging
support to Democratic nominee and
binding myself to do So"
Miller said there was a general UNI
derstanding with Coyle and Spatz that
certain legislation was to be supported
for which money would be divided
among the boys"
THAT memorandum was made
when?" Mr.. Voorhees, asked.
ION January 26th, the day after the
transaction" Mr.. Miller replied.
Representative Peter ]. Criste. OF
Northumberland, was recalled, ana
testified that when ex-Representatlve
| Thomas Moyles, of Luzerne, spoke TO
him about the motion to reconsider
the vote by which the bill was post
poned, Moyles had said that Represeh-
tative Gruver, of Luzerne, was to Sec
ond the motion. Mr.. Criste afterwards
asked Mr.. Gruver OF this was true, and
he made no reply.
Mr.. Criste knew of no member OK
the House who had been corrupuy APP
preached on the bill.
Representative Irwin n. Johnston, OF
Northampton, said he had converse
ton with Coyle in the corridor of the
Capitol just prior to the House Demo-
cratic caucus to consider the McCarrell
bill, in which Mr.. Coyle said: You
help US out and I'll see you right
after"
What do you understand Coyle
meant by that?" Mr.. Johnston was
asked.
Il thought that If we would stand by
him he would give me some money"
Mr.. Miller said he understood Coyies
offer of money at the Lochiel Hotel
was intended TO induce him to sign the
paper pledging the Democrats to stand
by Mr. jerks. Coyle promised MT.
Miller if he would vote for the Mccall
rell bill he would send party TO
Easton and get one hundred signers
to a paper endorsing his action.
Miller did not see Coyle after the
Democratic caucus. Mr.. Miller said
| Representative Herach, of Montgom-
cry, told him that he was corruptly
approached on the bill. The witness
said he went to Coyles room FREE
quently for the purpose OF finding out
what was going on, and possibly
a man might tumble to the big reward
that was offered for bribery"
Representative Daniel X. Hoch, OF
Berks, said he was told by Mr.. Miller
that there was something IN IL for
those who signed the jerks paper.
Representative Wellington X. Rosen-
berry. OF Montgomery, made volun-
tary statement relative TO his connec-
ton with the McCarrell bill and tns
jerks paper He said he was never
offered directly or indirectly one cent
BIZ Mr.. COyle or anybody else TO vote
for the bill.
Chairman Fow asked Mr.. Rosen berry
several questions based on q telegram
ne had received with reference 10 a
Montgomery county petition 10 thu
witness to vote for the McCarTsll bill
It was marked personal and conhden-
tial and the chairman refused TO dis
close the signers name Mr.. VOORHEES,
wanted 1t made a part Of the record
and the committee refused.
INCREASE ANNOUNCED.