The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-18
Total Cost of His Campaign for the
United States Senntorship, He
Says, Was About S115 5000.
HIS AGENTS ALL HONEST MEN
AND HE DID NOT ASK THEM TO
BRIBE THE LEGISLATURE.
Lame Explanation of His Sons Acts
ers-Justice Brnntley's Evidence.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17-Senator Clark.
of Montana, the witness stand be-
fore the Senate committee on elections for
about four hours to-day. and when the
committee adjourned for the day only his
examination in chief had been completed,
leaving his cross-examination for next
Monday. His testimony related solely to
the charges made against him in connec-
tion with his election by the Legislature Of
Montana to the United States Senate, dur
ing Its sitting last winter. He denied ex-
plictly and categorically all the charges
of the use of money by himself or with his
connivance or consent, to corrupt MEM
bers of the Legislature in his behalf, con-
tradicting many Of the statements made
by witnesses for the prosecution. He ad-
mitted having paid an aggregate of about
| $115.000 during the campaign. but said this
expenditure was for legitimate purposes
| only. The large outlay was due to the fact,
| he said, that he had contracted to pay all
the expenses of a campaign against Mr..
Daly's rule in the State and had gone into
| the compact to that end because he con-
| sidered Mr.. Days rule tyrannical and op-
posed to the best interests of the State.
| Chief Justice Brantly was also on the
| stand part of the day.
| In executive session the committee de-
cided not to receive Falk's testimony con-
corning Whitesides reported effort at brib-
| cry as purely collateral testimony, but it Is
understood that notice has been given of
motion for reconsideration. The commit
| tee also discussed the question of the ad-
visibility of sending for witnesses for the
| purpose of impeaching the testimony of
| witnesses alreauy heard, but reached no
| conclusion on this point. There are about
| thirty such witnesses wanted on each side
and the expense of bringing them here
would be about $4,000 or $4,000.
| TESTIMONY OF JUDGES.
The first witness to-day was Justice Pig
gott, of the Montana Supreme Court, who
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 criminal proceeding
against DR.. Tracey on account Of his ad-
vances towards Mr.. Hunt in connection
| with the Welcome disbarment case. He
said their consultation had been more
| matter of speculation than anything else,
| and that both seemed to concur that the
| situation did not call for such action, as
they thought DR.. Tracey was more sinned
| against than SHINING.
/ Justice Piggott also added to the portion
| of his testimony concerning Justice Hunts
statement of his interview with Or. Ira
| cey, 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 always
! ferred to as coming over" and therefore
| the expression seemed to connect itself
with the presence in Helena of the special
| train party from Butte. This opinion. he
| said, had been expressed in a conversation
| with Attorney General Nolan. Justice
| Piggott also said that he wished to modify
his opinion concerning the motives of Mr..
Corbett in coming to see him on Aug. S
| last saying that his mind was not yet
clear on that point; that he had no belief
| on the subject.
Justice Piggott was followed by Chief
| Justice Brantley, also of the Montana
| State Supreme Court making the third and
last member of that body to be examined
| In this case. He said that on Aug. last,
| when Justice Hunt had his interview with
| DIR. Tracey and Justice Piggott his inter-
view with Mr. Corbets. he was on the Pa
cific coast He had first heard of the
| Hunt-Tracey interview on his return. in
the latter part of August. Justice Hunt
had then made full statement to him, and
had advised with him and with Justice
| Piggott as to the wisdom Of proceeding
| against DR.. Tracey. They had advised
| against such a course.
Chief Justice Brantley related an inter-
| view with Rev. DR.. A. B. Martin. of Mon
| tana, who has charge Of a Presbyterian in
| stitution OF learning at Deer Lodge. Jus
| tice Hunt was a trustee and Senator Clark
| Is its president. The witness said Dr. Mar
| tin had come TO his office, and, requesting
/ an interview, had shown him a letter
signed by Senator Clark. sentence of
| which was as follows: 'See Justice Brant-
ley and ask him not TO allow that good
man welcome TO be disbarred. After
reading the letter Justice Brantley said be
| handed 1t back. saying that he was only
one member OF the court and could not
controI it's actions. nor would not IL he
could He had also assured DR.. Martin
that there was no prejudice in the court
! against Welcome and that he would have
a fair trial. The chief justice said he was
not sure that the letter showed him by Dr.
Martin was in Senator Clarks handwrit-
| ing The interview had occurred in his
office In Helena the latter part of October
last.
Senator Chandler announced that DR..
Martin had been sent for and that DR..
Tracey was now on his way to Washing
| ton.
CLARK TAKES THE STAND.
| Senator Clark was next called His an
pearance caused ripple OF interest
throughout the room. After being sworn