Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-17
SAW THE MONEY POCkETED
Testimony of a Witness in the CLARK
Case.
Resumption of the Investigation
After Recess of Four Days-TiIt
Between EX-SenatOrs.

After recess Of four days the Senate
committee on privileges and elections today
| resumed its Investigation of the charges of
bribery in connection with the election of
W. "A. Clark to the Senate from Montana.
AT the outset Senator Faulkner stated in
behalf of Mr. Clark that the letters written
to him during and since the session Of the
Butte, and were on their way to Washing
ton
Bank Accounts.
The first witness today was Vim. j. Cook
treasurer of the Thomas Cruise Savings
Bank of Helena. who was questioned con-
cerning the accounts of A. J. Davidson and
j. X. Toole with the bank. Davidsons ac-
count was opened September ., 1895 and
closed February ., 1899. Davidson was
considered a representative of Mr.. Clark in
the senatorial campaign and the effort
was to show that the senator's money was
being used.
Mr.. Cook said that from first to last sol :
GOO was deposited in Mr. Davidson's name
and the $4,000 of this amount came to the
bank i'll the shape of draft from the bank
OF Clark d Brother Of Butte, and So, 500 on
Geographic order of transfer from that
bank. He said the money was all checked
out but he could not remember to whom
any OF the checks We're made payable.
IN the case of Mr.. Toole there was an eff
fort to connect his withdrawal from the
senatorial contest with Mr.. Clark's name
but Mr. Cook said he knew nothing about
politics. Mr.. Cook had no recollection of
any unusual number of $1,000 bills in circu-
lation in Helena during the winter of 1895
80, when the senatorial contest was on
Inc deposit slips in Mr.. Toole's name
showed deposits in currency amounting to
SS,lGo from November ), 1898, to July 81
1899 Mr.. Davidson had been in the com
mission business. but had made an assign
ment.
Prepared a Trap.
Mr. VIM. F. Rector, who said he was an
expert accountant, was the next witness
He testified that he had secured rooms in
Helena to be used during the senatorial
contest at the instance of A. ]. Steele, get
ting three rooms i'll the Power block, which
met Mr. Steele's requirements of a vault
and number of entrances. These rooms
the witness described as trap" and
said they were used for consultation with
members of the legislature. He stated
That he had seen several members in the
room and had heard Messrs. Steele, David
son and other supporters of Mr.. Clark dis
cuss ways and means of securing votes.
He had seen sum of money, which he
thought was $4,000 paid to one of the
members.
Referring, on cross-examination, to his
relations with Mr.. Steele, the witness con-
tended that the latter was no special friend
of his
THE only sign of his friendship 1 ever
bought the grand jury he gave me $50 to
watch them
This assertion raised a laugh and also
point of order, which gave the committee
considerable trouble. The committee, in
order to keep the investigation within rea-
sonable scope, had decided not to enter into
the grand jury investigation The informa-
ton had been volunteered and Mr.. Faulk-
ner insisted that if 1t was to stand he
should have opportunity to refute it..
The committee took the matter under ad-
visement. The witness gave the amounts
which were, according to his information,
paid to the different members OF the grand
jury.
Tilt Between Former Senators.
During the cross-exanlination sharp tilt
occurred between eX-Senators Edmunds
and Faulkner of counsel on the different
sides of the controversy.
Don't try to take care of the Witness
said the West Virginia ex-senator.
Il will take care Of you II you don't
keep within the rules" responded the Yer
monter.
Senator Chandler interfered at this point
and the investigation proceeded.
Saw the Money Poci<eted.
Mr.. Rector said he was positive that the
member of the legislature who was paid
for his vote in the presence of the witness
had put the money in his pocket. He said
this man was one of a. number OF republ1-
can members who were not TO vote imme-
diately for Clark-not until the button was
touched"
Replying to Mr.. Faulkner's efforts to
show inconsistency between the statements
made today and those made in Montana,
Mr. Rector explained by, saying: "f have
made no study of it because there was no
money in it for me-
Are you certain of that?" asked Mr..
Faulkner
Not dollar" was the reply.
The committee adjourned until Friday be-
fore Mr.. Rector concluded his testimony.