The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-05
Some Preeedents Cited.

Of the petitioners.
Some Precedents Cited.
Under the precedents of this bcdy as
found in the cases Of Marshall, CT Lapham
and Miller, OF Simon Cameron. OF PowtI
Clayton, and Of BOgy. these facts would be
sufficient, on which to base a motion. if it
was deemed advisable. 10 dismiss this pe-i-
ton from further notice by this committee
This startling fact Is sought to be ex-
cused by The petitioners, so far as the
courts and 5uries Of the State OF Montana
are involved. BY the allegation, mat in the
vicinage where the offence is alleged 10
have been conlnIitteed, neither the courts
nor the iUries can be relied upon TO carry
out the hopes or TO crafty the ambition OF
those who are controlling this prosecution
VIII not the broad experience OF the mem
bers Of this committee, draw the reason
able inference from this fact that the PUB
lie sentiment Of the State has weighed the
merits OF this case in the balance. and that
the public judgment has found il to be
wanting I'm every element that could appeal
10 or stimulate the active interest OF the
law-abiding citizens Of Montana
The mere closely this memorial is
analyzed, the more thoroughly is the iudg-
ment convinced that We are confronted by
a private not a public prosecution Tho
are the petitioners who have brought these
charges to the attention Of the Senateg
Who are the prosecutors who seek TO ar
ray testimony against the good name OF
Senator Clark. and the reputation OF so
many Of the prominent citizens OF Mon
tana2 Are there no honest Republicans
in that State? Are there no patriotic Dem
ocrats in Montana, except those employed
by or connected with what is known as
the DAILY faction whose indignation would
have been aroused and whose energies
would have been enlisted I'm any attempt
TO vindicate the purity Of elections, If
those who have made these reckless and
wholesale charges Of bribery and corrup-
zion, could have insp ed them with conf
fence IN the integrity Of their purpose and
the truthfulncs5 Of the accusations? Not a
Republican appears upon this petition.
Not an anti-Daly Democrat has c0uute-
nanced this proceeding.
None have demanded your interposition,
but those who obey the dictates Of the de-
feated leader OF that faction in the State.
The explanation Of this remarkable fact
will clearly unfold as the evidence is intro
duced. It Will then be realized that this
prosecution was conceived in the womb OF
personal malice. rocked iu the cradle o.
personal hate. and nourlshed with the milk
drawn from the breast Of corruption and
perjury. until it reached the portals OF this
"Mr- Chairman and Senator's before a
final judgment is reached. we have every
confidence in the assertion. that each OF
you viii have become satisfied. and that
each viii fully realize that the influences
which have controlled this prosecution. did
not rest upon the foundation of public NOR
ais. the integrity OF the membership Of
this. the highest legislative tribunal, nor
is 10 controlled by a desire TO maintain The
purity Of the election of Senators. but that
!n its ultimate solution. you viii find your
selves engaged. as impartial arbiters. I'm
the trial Of an unfounded charge, made by
a defeated faction. against legally and
an honestly elected Senator.
1T Is but just TO you and to Senator
CLARK. that I should call your attention 10
the further fact. that either directly or in
directly, three invest legations have occur
red involving these charges; first. by the
legislature. secondly. by the grand jury.
ana thirdly, by the supreme court teach OF
which was fully explained.
Outline of Defence.
Mr.. Chairman, having given you brief
outline OF the poli6cal situation IN Mon
taua. and Of those matters which must
have attracted your attention in the me-
mortal which IS now before You. a. your
request. Mr.. Chairman. I shall ondeavOr
70 present 20 the committee a concise out
line OF the defence that VIII be relied upon
by Senator Clark. in reply 10 the CHARGES
preferred against him.
First That in the Senatorial contest
OF 1855 the faction Of the Democratic par
" that stands sponsor for the charges
preferred against Senator Clark. conceived
the idea OF springing upon the Iegisla-
ture pretended exposure Of bribery and
corruption. by presenting in open session
a sum Of money. accompanied by q declara
tion that 1t was received from the friends
OF Senator Clark for the purpose Of de-
bauching the members of that body. It
failed in 1893 because Of The absence OF
a Whiteside. or his equal but was re-
membered, and the idea was consummat-
ed in the contest in 1899. Il cannot rank
as a novelty in politics, but It has the
merit Of bOldness and unblushing effront-
cry.
second. That relying upon this pretend
ed exposure to defeat Senator CIark's elec
tion. in December, 1898. the leader Of this
faction assumed the character OF a prophet
and declared; II Clark shows his head In
that legislature. or il he is nominated.
something would be heard TO drop. which
would drive Clark and his friends out OF
the State
Third. That before and after the meet
ing Of the legislature. with the view OF lay
ing foundation for this pretended expos
ure, the political manipuIators and TIE ac-
tive agents OF this faction. proclaimed
through the press. controlled by Il. and in
their individual conversations. that il was
the purpose Of Senator Clark 10 secure his
election through corruption and bribery.
Fourth. That Immediately before or at
the meeting Of the legislature certain
agents Of this faction perfected an Crgani-
zation. which, in law, constituted q crimi-
nal conspiracy, TO carry out the idea
which was conceived in 1898; that with ,le
view Of giving color to. and the appearance
OF truth to this pretended exposure. the
participants in this criminal conspiracy re-
sorted TO fraud, falsehood and treachery.
hoping by these means TO carry out the
prophecy of their leader that something
would be heard to drop that would
drive Clark and his friends out OF the
State
Fifth. That the day before the ballot
ing for Senator was to commence the cur
tain was raised. presenting TO the view
Of the members Of the Legislature tab
leaux vivant. which these schemers for
ten days and nights had exerted their
united energies to present, with a view
to startle and disOrganize the friends of
Senator Clark, and those VINO had not yet
committed themselves on the Senatorial
question. They were disappointed in the
effect it produced. II was received with
ccldness. aud inspired only sentiments Of
disgust. which are incident TO unnatural
acting and a vulgar effort to deceive. The
managers OF this theatrical exhibition were
rendered desperate by its failure. We will
follow thero in their efforts 10 narrefrafs .