The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-08
BICKFORD ON THE STAND
Strong Testimony Given in Defence
of Senator Clark.
The Witness Successfully Defends
Himself From Accusations Made by
shaken by Severe CrOSs-Exnn,ina-
ton ut the Close of the Day.

Walter NJ. Biekford, one Of the promin-
| ent figures in the Montana Senatorial
| enquiry was called to the witness stand
| yesterday before the Committee on Privi-
( leges and Elections of the Senate. He was
! a good witness. He defended himself from
the accusations made against him by the
enemies of Senator Clark and rebutted
much of the testimony against that gentle
| man.
| In the memorial presented against Sena-
| tor Clark Mr.. Biekford was charged with
being one of Mr.. Clarks leading agents
| in the alleged corruption Of the Montana
Legislature. Mr.. Bickford's testimony
| was given in a Straightforward manner,
| often with strong emphasis, and in voice
| that could be heard by all the members OF
| the committee, the counsel, and the spec
| tators. Unlike a large number Of wit
| nesses he did not humble his replies SO
that they might not be understood. nor
was he disturbed or disconnected by the
crucial ross-examination which he en-
dured at the hands OF counsel for the
memorialists.
Mr. Bickford testified that he did ask
Henry c. Stiff to prepare an abstract OF
the title of Mclaughlin property. Stiff
took the list Of property at that time. and
I understood that he was to attend to
it, said the witness.
Ibid you have any conversation with
him about the Legislature?"
I'VE may have had talk about the
Speakership contest, but it certainly did
not occur in connection with the prepara
tion of the abstract OF title of McLaugh-
Inns property"
why did you give him the list of
property"
Il considered him a good lawyer: =
careful man.
.Did you ever say to Stiff that if he
voted for Clark you would see that he was
put on the rolls as one of Senator Clarks
attorneys"
Il did not"
The witness told OF the compensation
which he had agreed to give Stiff for ex-
aiming the title to McLaughlin's prop
erty. $500, and which Stiff testified that
he looked upon as an offer to bride. Bick-
ford told of the contest between DAILY and
Clark in the timber business. a large
part of McLaughin's property was timber
land on Nine Mile Greek. twenty-four
miles from Missoula. Bickford gave
strong reasons why Senator Clark wanted
to get possession of McLaughlin's land.
Negotiations were entered into before it
was known that Mclaughlin was to be
candidate for the Legislature. The prop
erty bought by Senator Clark was decided
to the Western Lumber Company. which
is sometimes called the Clark Lumber
Con pany. in contradistinction to the Big
Blarkfoot Lumber Company controlled by
DALI.
Did you ever state to Mr.. Stiff that
the $500 fee was for his personal use?''
No. sir
DO YOU know McLaughlin's property"
Yes, sir
What do you consider "a WORTH ~
Il should say from $4,000 to $4,000"
What do you know Of MIR. MeLaughlin's
employment as manager of the Western
Lumber Company
1T was part of the contract
Was $500 a month 4 fair and rea- enable
consideration ,"
1t was
The witness told Of various conversations
which he had with stir.
Did you offer him $4,000 for his with