Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-23
MR.. r CHANCES.

Many inquiries reach this paper as to
the probable disposition of the Clark
case, after the hearing of witnesses shaA
have been concluded. The partisans OF
the prosecution have already had the de-
PENDANT drawn and quartered. and ms
body buried in the sands of the sea. fig
uratively speaking; while Mr.. Clark's
friends are equally sure that he will stem
the breakers and effect a safe anchor
age in port. Under such a storm of con-
flicting views, the public naturally turn
to an independent and impartial w
paper for opinions as well as news per-
tanning to this celebrated case.
1t is not within the purview OF any
newspaper. however, to anticipate the
a settled conclusion as to it's probable
verdict. There has been SO much con-
flicting testimony on the part of men of
more or less prominence, to say nothing
of the characterless witnesses brought
Forward by each side, that the weight of
evidence can be determined only by a
most careful analysis of all the environ
ments of the case. If the committee be-
lieves that the money expended by the de-
Tense could not have been properly used
in the maintenance of a lobby engaged
alone in manufacturing public sentiment,
1t wilton the strength Of the evidence
submitted by the defense itself-be COM
PEELED to report against Mr.. Clark. II,
ON the other hand, it has become con-
WINGED from all the circumstances sur
rounding the case. that the Clark men
We're justified in making such large ex-
penditures of money, to remove from the
throat of a commonwealth the iron grip
of a corporation which was seeking to
m%onopolize it's legislative functions, it
will be compelled to report in that gen.
tleman's favor.
There is SO much room for a difference
of opinion as to which rule should be
applied to the situation, in the careful
analysis of evidence. that many OBJ
servers have reached the conclusion thai
two reports will emanate from the COM
mittee, one Of a favorable n one oil
an ~unfavorable character. This may OF
may not be the case. If so, however, II
will compel each member of the senate
to make a juror of himself and study thu
evidence and it's relation to affairs
in this state, before casting his VOTE
either for or against the defendant. II
all likelihood such a course would leat
to the deferring Of final action, until tn,
next session Of congress, in December
of the present year.
1t will require considerable time to pre-,
pare the reports and put the evidence il
proper shape for consideration by tn,
senate. and it may be that a sub-commit
tee will be sent to Montana to inwesti
gate certain phases of the situation
which could not, in the nature of things
be fully brought out in the present inves
tigation. Should this occur, the cas-,
will have to go over until next Decem
Der. Unless the case speedily termi
mates, it is hardly probable that i'm
portant matters of legislation will b
displaced to make room for the contes
which may take place in the senat
chamber before a vote is finally reached
II all the members Of the committe
concur in a report. either for or agains
the defendant, speedy action may b
taken and the outcome of the case de
termined before the adjournment of con
gress. Any pronounced lack of harmon
in the committee, however. may send tn
case over to the next term.