The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-20
Mr.. CLARK'S TESTIMONY
The Montana Senator Cr0Ss-Exam-
ined at Great Length.
Conditions I'm Montana Politics
Which Made the Expenditure of
Money Necesssry-An Understand
ing Tint II WINS to he Used for
Legitimate Campaign Purposes.


chief was begun Saturday forenoon. and
was resumed and concluded yesterday al
terDoon. His cross-e examination was be-
gun during the afternoon and had not
been concluded when the committee ad-
journed TO reconvene at l0:15 o'clock this
morning
Senator Clark was called to the stand
at $50 o'clock and Mr.. Faulkner contin-
ued his direct examination.
when you went to Helena on January
from Butte did you carry more than
the usual amount of money which you
carry while traveling?''
Il did not
The witness was asked TO explain his
purchase of McLsughlin's property, which
had been represented in the testimony OF
Whiteside as part of a corrupt considera-
ton for McLaughln's support in the Sen
atorial campaign. He gave this narrative
of that transaction:
The Mclaughlin Property.
During the summer of 1895 there were
some negotiations whereby the Anaconda
company (Daly'sD secured large timber
and lumber interests. ! was informed
that they had purchased the property OF
the Big Blackford Milling Company. There
were no other sources of supply except
few small mills. AS ] require a large
amount of lumber and timber, ii was nee
essary for me 10 protect my ewH inter-
ests and look for a supply Of lumber.
IL had a talk with mir. Bicliford during
one of his visits TO Butte The lived at
Missoula) and he suggested to me the
possibility Of an arrangement for lot
of desirable timber interests in that part
of the country. Some time afterward Mr..
Bickford returned and told me OF the in
terest belonging TO Mclaughlin. that he
owned a lot of timber which would pro-
duce eight or ten million feet j instruct
ed Mr. Bickford to look into the matter
and get a schedule Of the property. He
did so and told me that ! could get the
property for something like $4,000 or
$50, 600. which he thought TO be fair and
not extravagant price. l accepted the
terms and agreed TO advance Mclaughlin
ST. 600. one-third OF the purchase price
was to be paid liz the capital stock of a
company which ! was to form and the
rest in cash. The contract was closed, the
cash was paid, and the stock turned over.
Mclaughlin was TO be employed as super
intendent of the company at a salary OF
$500 a month.
Il did not quite understand when Won
began negotiations with Mclaughlin
Il thing il was in September or October.
1898. My business with Mr.. Mclaughlin
was conducted through Mr. Bickford."
Senator Turney wanted to know If Sena-
tor Clark had preserved the correspon-
dence- he had not.
the Senatorial Contest.
Mr.. Faulkner-ln your interviews with
Mr.. Mclaughlin was there any conversa-
ton between you referring to the Sena-
torial contest?
Senator Clark-There never was word
spoken relating to the Senatorial contes.
either by. Mr.. Mclaughlin, Mr.. Bickford, or
myself.
Mr.. Faulkner presented the original con-
tract signed by Senator Clark and Mr.. Nc
Laughlin dated December 9. 1898, and ack
nowledged before notary public on the
same day.
Senator Clark was then asked 10 state
all the items of political expenditure made
by him from August /, 1898, TO September
/, 1899. and he produced memoranda of
the figures. II contained items of sS5, 900,
$50, 600, $40, o00 $50. s92. $1,000. $4,000. and
some twenty-five items in the hundreds
He said he had not figured up the total.
in addition to these sums Senator Clark
raid he had made donation OF IS, 900 TO E.
c. Day. 5000 to Mr.. Bickford, s. 600 to
Mr.. McDermott, and SIS, 900 to Mr. Well
come.
Mr. Faulkner-Do you know what was
done with the money which you con-
tributed?
Senator Clark do not / had nothing
10 do with the disbursements.
AT the suggestion of Mr. Chandler Sena-
tor Clark told how his friends organized
the State, how he provided the money for
this work, and how that money was ex-
pended in registration. county conventions,
the State convention. and such expenses as
public halls. speakers. bands. and trans
portation of voters TO the polls. and the
circulation of literature.
Senator Turley asked:
Ibid Ii ever occur to you when you
made these large contributions for carry
Ing on the contest that they might be used
for improper purposes?"
1T did not. The conditions in Montana
are such that we could not expect to win
without the expenditure OF large sums OF
Senator Turley--I admit that I do not
understand the conditions that make such
large expenditures necessary for legitimate
purposes in a campaign.
Senator Clark then proceeded TO tell of
conditions in Montana under the rule of
Marcus DAILY. He told OF how DAILY owned
the political machinery. and made an st.
tack on the methods employed by Daily.
He called Il a political despotism, and IL
IL were to endure he would remove from
the State. Senator Clark was asked as to
an arrangement with State Senator Myers.
but he said he had no knowledge on the
subject.
The Chairman-Explain little more dis
tinctly about the first understanding you
had about certain expenses. Was IL with
the State Committee proper OF the Demo-
cratic party. or was II with a gathering
OF your friends?
Senator Clsrk-It was with my own
friends. The Democratic State Committee
proper was hostile
The Chairman-You had an understand
ing that the State should be organized out
side of the Democratic State Committee?
Senator Clark--Yes
The Chairman-And you agreed to pay
the expenses?
Senator ciark-Yes.
The chairman-And you first paid $50 600
IN consequence OF that arrangement?
Senator Clark-Yes.
Campaign Expenses.
Senator Tufley questioned Senator Clark
infinitely as TO his expenditure In the
campaign.
''This election" said Senator Clark,
was for the purpose Of overthrowing the
power Of one man in the State of Mon
tana. Mr.. DAILY and the Anaconda Com
pany, which he represents. had spent very
large sums of money in Montana. particu-
larls in the capital fight ! have seen men
going through line OF voters and handing
them s. apiece. II was impossible TO beat
that power In the State unless large sums
Of money were used legitimately. II was