Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-06
WITNESSES CONTRADICTED
More Testimony for the Defense in the
Clark Case.
Proceedings Yesterday Afternoon Be-
fore the Committee Investigating
the Charges of Bribery.


tee yesterday James NJ. Rhoads. receiver of
the land office at Miles City, told of a
proposition which, he said had been made
to him in Helena last winter by John r.
TooIe, a member of the Montana house of
representatives to assist in preparing for
the contest of Mr.. Clark's seat.
He had asked Mr.. Toole's assistance in
the fight against the Rosebud county bill.
Toole had told him that he would grant the
help, but that in return he wanted his
(witnessD help. Mr.. Toole had said to him
that he and his friends had just been
beaten by Mr.. Clark in the contest for the
United States Senate; that Mr.. Clark s
right to the seat would be attacked; that
for this purpose testimony would be want
ed: that he (the witness) was wanted for
this purpose, because it was believed that
he could help; that money would be fur
niShed for his services; that he must know
men who had been connected with the
senatorial contest and whose votes could
be secured for consideration, and that
Mr.. Clark must be prevented from taking
his seat by fair means if possible, and if
not, by foul means.
Perjurers to BE Hired.
Did you understand asked Senator
Turley. that you were to go to witnesses
and offer them money to testify falsely
here?"
Il did was the reply.
Did you become indignant"
No. sir: l feared that to do so would
lose Toole's support in the Rosebud bill
Mr. Toole had told him that he wanted a
republican for this work. because he feared
he could not trust democrat.
Speaker Stiff Contradicted.
A. B. Cook. a railroad contractor of
Helena. was introduced to impeach the
testimony of Speaker Stiff of the Montana
house of representatives. He contradicted
Mr.. Stiff's testimony fatty. He said he
had not offered Mr.. Stiff $4,000 nor had he
tried later to get him to accept the propo:
Sition. nor held out inducements to believe
that he could get $4,000 for his vote. He
admitted that he had invited Mr.. Stiff to
visit the Montana Club, but denied that
after getting Mr.. Stiff into the building he
had taken him to a quiet room and opened
up a conversation on the senatorial ques-
ton. pressing Gir. Stiff to vote for Mr..
Clark for a consideration.
We did talk of the senatorial fight while
in the club building said the witness but
Mr.. Stiff opened up the question; not I.
We had taken seats he continued, land
the conversation drifted to the senatorial
fight. Mr.. Stiff asked me what 1 thought
of the use of money in the contest and,
putting his hand on his knee. he leaned
over and asked me how 1 stood with the
with them. whereupon Mr.. Stiff said to me:
1 am a married man and have n family
l should like to vote for Mr.. Clark for the
Senate. provided l could get enough out of
it. / believe | would vote for him if
could get 10000 -
The witness said that he had told Mr.
Stlf that he was not interested in the sena-
torial contest to that extent and had not
again talked with Mr.. Stiff on the subject
OF the senatorial contest. Mr. Cook said
that he had been interested in Mr.. Clark s
behafr put that being republican he had
not participated actively in the contest.
Rector Contradicted.
A L. Jacqueth, republican representative
in the Montana house of representatives
said in contradiction of what the prosecu-
tons witness Rector had said, that he
had never asked Rector to hold money
for him. not having known that man.
Jacqueth is one of the members of the
legislature for whom Mr.. Whiteside as
serted he had held 5000 paid by Mr. Well
come Tor Mr. Clark for Jacqueths vote,
and which was afterward turned over to
the state by Whiteside. Mr. Jacqueth con-
tradlcted this story. saying that Mr. White
side had come to his room and suggest ed
that he could get money for his vote but
that ne the witness) had told Whiteside
that he wanted to hear nothing about the
matter. He had not gone to Mr.. Neill's or
Mr. Welcomes room at Whiteside's re-
W
money paid by them for his vote; had never
marked an envelope containing such money
nor had he ever received any money for his
vote for Mr.. Clark for the Senate. He had
ne said. only voted for Mr.. Clark because of
the decision OF the republican caucus in his
behalf. and because he considered he was
carrying out the wishes of his constit-
uentS.
Whiteside's Alleged Threat.
Mr. Jacqueth said in explanation of Mr.
Whiteside's attitude toward him that he
had quarrel with Whiteside in 1895, when
the latter had said that he would get
even with him.
The witness said that when he was elected
to the legislature he owed the bank at Kali
lSpell about $1,000, but that he had since
paid the note. The payment had been made
with money received on two 5000 con-
tracts with the government. He was shown
the envelope which 1t was claimed con-
tanned the 5000 that had been given him
by Mr. Clark s supporters. He said he had
never before seen the envelope, and that
the initials on 1t were not In his hand
writing.
He was asked to write his initials, and
while he was doing so Messrs. Campbell
and Whiteside stepped up behind the wit
ness. whereupon Mr.. Foster of counsel for
the defense cautioned Mr.. Jacqueth not to
display any private documents
We have already had one letter stolen. :"
he said. referring to the letter which Ben
Hill had said Mr.. Campbell had taken from
h:=sl
Mr.. Campbell took exception to this re-
mark. saying that he considered it an In
suit.
Chairman Chandler said he considered
Mr.. Fosters remark accidental and he
hoped the language would not be used
again
Mr.. Foster responded that he considered
the Characterization accurate. but that he
would not again use the language.
Mr.. InEersoIIs Denial.
State Representative C. F. Ingersoll of
Custer county, Mont, said he had not re-
ceived any consideration for his vote for
Mr.. Clark for the Senate, and that he had
never told any one that he was to get
$4,000 for his vote for that gentleman. He
is a republican, and he had voted for Mr.
Clark only upon the petition of the leading
members of his party in his own county.
nv