Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-21

Washington, Feb. l3.-When the
senate committee on election resum-
ed its consideration of the Clark case
today, Neill, of Helena, who was on
the stand when the committee ad-
iourned yesterday, was recalled. lie
was questioned closely by ex-senator
Edmunds concerning the impression
letter book from which he cut the
copy of his letter to ]. Johns, OF Lew
istown. Mr.. Neill had said that he
cut the letter out OF the book on Sat
urday last and on Monday had ex-
pressed 1t to Helena. Mr.. Edmunds
commented upon the fact that the
book had been sent on the very day
that Mr.. Nelll was to go on the
stand as significant. Mr.. Neill said
that he would intercept the book
and bring 1t back, but that he would
not agree that theentire book should
undergo inspection.
The witness was cross-examined
by Mr.. Campbell.
"Dld you do any work for Clark dur
ing the last senatorial campaign In
Montana?"
81 did all that could In my news
paper and otherwise, In a legitimate
way"
"Did you spend any money In
either the legislative campaign or the
senatorial contest before the legisla-
ture?"
Eyes, but 1t was my own"
'Did you spend any except your
own?"
IL did not"
"Dldn't you leave some money in
Fergus county,"
IL did leave some money there for
Dave Hilger and Williams, but II
was given me by A. j. Davidson, and
1 was little more than messenger
In the transaction"
Changing the form OF the question
how much money did you handle In
the senatorial contest that was moi
your OWN"
"I did not handle any money dur
Ing the senatorial fight except such
as 1 would naturally spend-not tc
exceed In the aggregate $1,000"
"Did you spend no money except
in Fergus county?"
81 cannot say precisely as to that
Those were exciting times. was II
the thick OF the fray and pretty
busy"
Neill spoke Of various places uset
as headquarters during the senator
ial contest, but he said he had no
been at the quarters ut the Helene
hotel oftea, as Welcome was con
stantly there, and he and WELCOME
were not ON good terms. Neverthe
less, he had taken Whiteside ther'
and introduced him to Welcome.
Witness said he had seen Senator
Clark frequently during the campaign
and that at first. on the day Of tn
Whiteside exposure, he had met sew
eral OF Clark's friends at the latter
rooms. This delegation consisted O
himself, Gov. Hauser, Davidson, Wal
ter Cooper, State Senator Hoffman
and several Others, whose names h
could not recall. In reply to a ques
tion Neill said he had formerly beer
surveying general OF Montana
Speaking ofAttorney General Nolan
transcript OF his testimony befor
the Lewis and Clarke county gran'
jury, Neill declared II was colore'
throughout. He gave an instance II
which he was quoted as saying tha
he did not know that any none.
had been spent In the Clark contest
"I Haid," he continued, "that l di
not think any money was corrupt
spent. 1 Ibelieve the word 'corruptly
was Intentionally left out"
"Has Mr.. Clark a mortgage 70
$4,000 on the Helena Independent?
asked Faulkner.
HE has a mortgage for $24 800 an
Ipay him his interest regularly" n
sponded Mr.. Neill.
VIM. McDermott, former Unite
States Marshall OF Montana, and
member OF the Clark independen
democratic committee during tn
campaign Of 1898. testified that tn
cammittee was organized becaus
the regular democrat committee wa
In the hands Of the DAILY men. H
volunteered the statement that b
had been a "bitter opponent Of MI
DAILY" He said he had instructe