The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-06
IN Mr.. CLARK'S DEFENCE
The Montana Senator's Case Pre-.
scented by Mr.. Faulkner.
{ &c Senate Committee on Privileges
md Elections Begins Its Enquiry
Into tha Bribery Charges - 0bjcc-
~rJh to the Admission of Duplicate
Evidence a Decision Reserved.

3. The enquiry into the charges of bribery
preferred against Senator William a.
Clark Of Montana by certain members OF
the Montana Legislature aud by citizens
of the State named was begun by the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections OF the
Senate yesterday.
Senator Carter of Montana on December
4 last presented TO the Senate two me-
MORALS. One was from members OF the
Legislature. and recited that the memo
rialists "allege corruption in the election
of William A. Clark as Senator from Mon
iana. and demonstrate against his being
seated in the United States Senate rs such
Senator
The second memorial presented was
signed by the citizens of Montana and
prayed for an early and speedy investiga-
ton into certain allegations touching on
the election of Mr.. Clark.
When the committee met yesterday
morning there were present Senators
Chandler. Hoar McComas, Gallery. Bur-
rows, Pettus, Harris. and Turley. Mr..
Pritchard was the only absentee.
Senator Clark was present, with his ccdn-
sci, former Senator Faulkner of West Nir
ginia. Mr. Faulkner Introduced Roger
Foster of New York, as associate counsel
for the defence. Former Senator Ed
munds of Vermont appeared as counsel for
the memorialists. He opened the legal
contest with preliminary statement set
ting forth the contersion of the memo
Iialists and what he hoped to prove.
He reviewed the bribery charges II some
length, and rehearsed the action of the
\ Ill n fpNN m
January 9. by a joint resolution. appointed
a joint investigating committee Of three
members from each house to enquire into
the charges Of bribery which he said were
freely and generally made in the city Of
Helena with reference to the then pend
ing senatorial contest.
In the course of Mr.. Edmunds' state
ment Mr. Foster denied the right of the
memoIialists to Introduce as evidence be
fore the committee copy OF that evidence
which had been presented to the grard
jury of Lewis and Clarke county. Senator
McComas thought that Mr.. Fosters oh
lection should be sustained. Senator Hoar
said that the matter should be admitted
and its relevancy then passed upon by
the committee. The question was held in
abeyance and it WIS understood thst the
judgment of the committee on that point
would be rendered today. Should il be
determined that the matter referred TO is
not evidence, significant point will have
been scored by counsel Tor Senator Clark.
MIR. FauIl.ner's Statement.
Whea tbs controversy WAS closed Mr..
Faulkner delivered his preliminary state
ment. He said
Mr. Chairman and Senators: The fling
OF a criminal charge against anyone, pre-
sents to those en- whom the duty devolves
of ascertaining its trathfulness and upon
those on whom is imposed the RESPONSE
bility OF conducting the case, either for
the prosecution or defence, grave respon-
sibillty. How much greater is that respon-
sibility 10 the committee and to the coun-
sci. when that charge is made against one
who has been elevated to 30 high and
responsible position as that CT a Senator
in this, the greatest legislative body in
The world? This responsibility is further
increased, when it involves, not only a
criminal offence, but one OF moral turpi-
tuie
Knowing as we do the individual mem-
beTs OF this committee. we are satisfied that
they appreciate as deeply as anyone the
importance OF the judgment that they viii
render In this case. and that they will bring
10 its consideration patience, discrlmina-
ton, legal learning. and brosd experience
to separate the chaff from the wheat. in
the final analysis OF the evidence intro1uc- |
ed before them.
THAT the committee may enter intelli-
gently upon the consideration of this cause, /
il is necessary that We will briefly review
the political conditions which have existed
in the State of Montana in the Democratic
party during the last ten or twelve years. I
"A bitter personal antagonism, on the
part Of Mr. DAILY, who has controlled for a
long time the great Anaconda mine, its
smelters and others works, TO Senator
Clark. resulted in the division Of the Dem 1
acratic party into two factions, designated
in the political parlance OF the State. as
the Daily gang and the Clark faction.
1.-THE business interests OF Senator Clark
spreading. as they do, over large section
of the country, has removed him to a great
extent from the yearly contests which have
taken place in that State, leaving the
DAILY faction the dominating influence in
The Democratic party, except at those pc
RODS in State politics when Senator Clark
deemed it proper TO contest a policy he
championed. or present his claims to the
citizens OF that State for political prefer |
ment
Character of The Opposition.
1T Is an acknowledged fact ia the po-
lltical history of the State, that the oDpo- |
nents Of Senator Clark have not hezltated
TO declare It to be their fixed determine
tion. at all times. and under all circum-
stances. regardless Of party ties or the
public interest. to prevent his elevation To-
marty leadership. or the Qualification of
any political ambition that he may enter
tain. The truth OF this was illustrated in
the Congressional election Of 1883. in the
Senatorial contest Of 1898, and will be
clearly and conefusyely demonstrated 20
she committee during the investigation OF
Inc charges now presented by that faction I
In this connection II is proper that your
attention should be directed to the unusual /
fact which appears in this record that not
single candidate opposed 10 Senator
Clark. in his contest for this high honor. Is
a party TO the petition demanding redress
OF any grievance which has resulted by
reason OF his election. When the Governor
Figned his certificate of election. he was
fully aware of all the facts brought out in 1
the two investigations, held at the capitol |
and must then have been satisfied that |
there was no sufficient reason 10 withhold !
his credentials
"a most potent factor which appears |
from the petition flied ia the Senate, IL the !
charge which II confirms that sixteen citi- 1
zens OF Montana aud thirty-eight Senators I,
and Representative Of that State, have I
been charged with the crime Of felony UNI 1
der its laws. either as bribers or as brlbe- /,
takers, and although 4 year has elapsed /
since the commission OF the alleged Of /
fence. not single indictment has been /
found, or presentment offered In any cour, |
OF that State, that these alleged criminals, 4
through the ordinary channels for the en- |
forcement OF the law, might be arralgned |
tried, and, If guilty, have melted out to |
them punishment commensurate with the |