The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-17
CLARK TESTIFIES.
Montana Senator Takes the
Stand in His Own Behalf.
Says He Went Into Politics to
Help His Friends
TO TURN DOWN DAILY.
Had No Thought of the Senator
ship at the Outset.
Contributed S15O,OOO to the
Campaign Fund.
Declares He Never Used a Dol
lar COrruptly.
TO TURN DOWN DAILY.


ate committee began its work in the
Clark investigation today the word
went around that Senator Clark himself
would take the stand. The senator was
not present, however, when the COM
mittee was called to order and Justice
Piggott of the Montana supreme court
was recalled to make some additions to
his testimony. He said among other
things that he and Justice Hunt had
consulted as to the wisdom of a GRIM
inal proceeding against DR.. Tracey on
account of his advances toward Mr.
Hunt in connection with the Welcome
diSbarment case. He said their consul
tation had been more a matter of spec
ulation than anything else and that
both seemed to concur that the Situa-
t1on did not call for such action as they
thought DR.. Tracey was more Sinned
against than shining.
Justice Piggott also added to the por-
tion of his testimony concerning Justice
Hunts statement of his interview with
Dr. Tracey saying that he had been
impressed with Mr.. Hunts statement
that there was "a party over here" He
said that in Helena coming from Butte
was, was always referred to as coming
over and that therefore the expression
seemed to connect Itself with the pres
ence in Helena of the special train
party from Butte. This opinion, he
ton with Attorney General Nolan.
Justice Piggott also said that he wish
ed to modify his opinion concerning the
motives of Mr.. Corbett in coming to see
him on August last, saying that his
mind was not yet clear on that point;
that he had no belief on the subject.
While Justice PiggOtt was teStifying
Mr.. Clark came into the rOOm- Justice
PiggOtt was followed by Chief Justice
Theo. Brantley also of the Montana state
supreme court, making the third and
last member of that body to be exam
ined in this case. He said that on Aug.
=
view with DR.. Tracey and Justice Pig
gott his interview with Mr.. CoT5ett, he
was on-the Pacific coast He had first
heard of the Hunt-'Tracey interview on
his return in the latter part of August
Justice Hunt had then made a full
statement to him and advised with him
and with Justice Piggott as to the wis
dom of proceeding against DR.. Tracey.
They had advised against such a course.
Chief Justice Brantley related an in
terview with Rev. DR.. A. B. Martin,
principal of the college of Montana, a
Presbyterian institution of learning 10
Gated at Deer Lodge. The chief justice
is a member of the board of trustees
of this institution and Senator Clark is
its president.
The witness said Dr. Martin had come
to his Office and requesting an inter
view, had shown him a letter signed by
Senator Clark, one sentence of which
was as follows:
See Justice Brantley and ask him
to be debarred."
After reading the letter Justice
Brantley said he handed it back, say
ing that he was only one member of
the court. and could not control it's
action, nor would he if he could.
He had also assured DIR. Martin that
there was no prejudice in the court
against Mr.. Welcome, and that he
would have a fair trial. The chief JUS
ice said that he was not sure that the
letter shown him by Dr. Martin was in
Senator Clark's handwriting. The in
tervieW had occurred in his office in
Helena, the latter part of October last
Sena tor Chandler announced that Dr.
Martin had been sent for, and that DR..
Tracey was now on his way to Wash
ington.
Mr.. Faulkner then asked for a de-
cision as to whether Ben Falk was to
be allowed to testify concerning White
SIDES alleged effort at bribery of him
self (Fall1). This raised the question
as to how many witnesses should be
called for Impeachment purposes Mr.
Faulkner said he desired only to i'm
peach the testimony of three witnesses,
Whltesides, Clark of Madison county
and Jackson of Salt Lake City.
MI. Campbell said he would not call
any impeachment witness providing
the Whiteside episode was not entered
upon.
The decision of the question was
again deferred. and Senator Clark was
called to the stand.
CLARK'S STORY.
Clark's appearance caused a ripple of
interest throughout the room After
being sworn the senator took his seat
quietly and Mr.. Falkner Immediately
began his questions, the first of which
brought out the facts concerning
CIark's career, political and otherwise,
in Montana He said he had resided
in Montana since 1868, most of the time
in Butte and had been engaged in many
occupations, the principal of which
were merchandising. banking, mining,
and the reduction of ores. He had, he
said, taken an active part in politics,
especially for the past fifteen years.
Coming to the campaign of 1898 he
said he had entered it at the sOlicita-
tion of o number of friends ..who had
asked me to help them organize the
state against what was called the
DAILY power which I agreed to do with
their aid and assistance"
He then referred to the preliminary
meeting of his friends, the particulars
of which were related by Governor
Hauser in which he made the agree
ment above related, by agreeing to pay
all the expenses, if the others would
do the organizing and perform the work
necessary in the campaign Relating
further to the motives actuating him
in ent ering into this campaign, which
was for a few of the state officers and
for members of the legislature. he said
he had sent out some friends to feel
the pulse of the state. He also stated
that Democratic politics in the state
had been running wild for some years.
The Democrats had been fusing WITH
Populists and silver Republicans and
| he was opposed to such a course be-
| cause it resulted in the nomination of