The evening times., 1900-01-23
THE CLARK INVESTIGATION.
The Letters n Witness EctOr Sub
mittcd In Evidence.


The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions Of the Senate met al the usual time
this morning, and continued the investiga-
tion OF the charges preferred against
Senator William A. Clark o. Montana ty
certain citizens Of that State. When Mr.
Chandler called the committee 10 order he
read a clipping from a local newspaper
which indicated that John p. Murphy. the
missing witness. had been seen at C9lum-
bus. Ohio. and had discussed the Clark
case with hotel clerk in that city.
Mr.. Faulkner. cOunsel-in- n-chief for Sena-
tor Clark, announced that package Of the
Ector letters. which had been sent by eX-
press from Butte nine days ago reached
Washington yesterday. Two letters were
missing from the packages He asked dne
to have a thorough search made for them.
There was some discussion between Sena-
tor Chandler and counsel for the memo
rialists and the defence Mr.. Faulkner
said he did not open the express package
containing the letters. but he was confident
that all that had been sent 10 Washington
had been turned over 20 the committee.
Senator Chandire then handed 10 Mr..
Campbell counsel-in-chief for the memo
rialists, the package which contained the
following letters: f. L. r. Ector to
William NJ BicHford. FIVE. dated Stevens
vile. Mont, November Il, 1888. November
o. 1898; MissCUla, March J. 1899. April S,
1899. July "A, 1888 and a receipt for 500,
dated July p, 1888. There were
four letters TO Senator Clark, dated
December :, 1855, March 70.
1899. August ,. 1893. and October 81. 1899.
Mr. Ector was then recalled 10 the stand
and he Identified the letters shown him
as those which he had written 70 Walter
NJ Bickford and Senator Clark
Are those the letters you referred to
in your examinau-u a few days ago." ask
ed Mr. Birney.
They are"
Mr. Birney then proceeded TO read the
letters. These contained plans for money
for campaign purposes and gave iuforma-
tion concerning a mortgage on the ranch
Of the candidate for the legislature for
whom Ector was working" In these let
ters it seemed 20 be taken for granted
| that Mr. BiCEfurd was a campaign man
! ager FOR Senator Clark.
The letters from Ector to Clark we're
read. These letters contained several in
/ timations that the writer Ector, could
I see or AK a certain member OF the
| legislature. In one Of the letters Of March
]
/ Clark OF bad treatment He wrote that two
Daily men had offered him $1,000 10 'hnd
out what the Clark people are doing
| The letters were offered and read in ey.-
dence.
Mr.. Chandler asked II Charles ". CLARK
1 were In the room. He was not. but was
[ sent for. Upon taking the witness chair
| Mr. Clark said that he had opened th'
| package Of letters az his rooms az the AT
lot. IL haI aI i'm
self one letter. all the others he had giver
| TO Mr.. Faulkner. Mr.. Birney then De
/ manded this letter II was produced. Th'
! witness then said that all the letters which
had come TO him by express yesterday
were in evidence before the committee.
When Mr. CLARK Ieft the witness stsnt
| Mr. Ector returned. He was examined by
Mr.. Birney as % certain references TO un
I named persons tn the letters. The witness
was cross examined By Mr. Faulkner. j
was shown that Mr. Woods. whom the p IL
! ness. Ector. sC-IEFL TO gei money from
/ Bick'Ord 90 influence. was a CLARK man al
! the time. lie said Ee was never authorized
| by Mr.. Woods TO dispose Of his vote in n,
Senatorial contest
What is Mr. Woods character" aSke,
/ Mr. Faulkner.
"He is a gentlemaud and a square man
| lie Is q farmer
Did you not get money from Mr. b r.
| ford and did you not seek 10 get more fo
the purpose solely cf aiding In the election
| of Mr. WOods?"
| Well not exactly"
The witness said he feared that the DaI,
men might get hold Of Mr.. Woods" by
I getting his mortgage and then squeeZ,
him into voting against Clark"
Did you receive a promise OF compsn
/ sation for coming TO Washington TO testif!
| in this case2'
! NO sir
Then you do uor expect any compensa
tion other than the law allows you, 10
your testimony here"
mo sir"
TO whom did you give the letters from
! Clark and BickfOrd2'
Mr. Whiteside came TO me and said h,
understood I had some important letters
I and under his advice / sent them TO Judg,
Jere Wilson of Washington"
At noon the committee adjourned till
| O'rlOrE