The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-18
new Line OPENED Up
MoNOTONY OF CLARK BRIBERY IN
vESTIGATION In WASHING
TON rs BROKEN
TOO WILLING WITNESS CAUSE

He InJects the Grand Jury Feature
Into the Montana Senatorial Scan
daI-Committee Is In a. Quandary
as to What 1t Shall Do Under the
New Order of Things-WilI Take
Time for Consideration.
WASHINGTON, Jan. r7-William J.
Cook and William F. Rector were before
the senate committee on privileges and
elections in the Clark investigation to-
day. Mr.. Cook is an official connected
with the Thomas Cruise Savings bank, of
Helena, and his testimony related solely
to the deposits of money in the bank by
persons who were regarded as repre-
sentatives of Mr.. Clark In his contest
for the senate Mr.. Rector proved to be
somewhat irrepressible witness, volun-
teering more information than he was
asked for. He thus brought the Lewis
and. Clark county grand jury investiga-
ton into the inquiry, contrary to the In
tentions Of the committee, which were
not to take it up at all. The intrusion
Of the matter caused the defense to raise
the point as to whether the charges In
be entered upon and the committee adj
journed until Friday next without decid-
ing it. To take up that phase Of the
matter would complicate the case.
The first witness. today was William
j. Cook treasurer Of the Thomas Cruise
Savings bank, of Helena, who was ques
toned concerning the accounts of A. ].
Davidson and Hon. J. X. Toole with the
bank. Davidson's account was opened
Sept. 9, 1898, and closed Feb. s. 1899. Da-
wilson was consideredea representative of
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 $21. 300 was deposit
ed in Davidsons- name, and that $4,000 Of
this amount came to the bank in the
shape of a, draft from the bank Of Clark
& Bro, of Butte, and $500 on tele5
graphic 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 were made payable. In
the case of Toole there was an effort to
connect. his withdrawal from the sena-
torial contest with Mr. Clark's name, but
Cook said he knew nothing about politics.
Cook had no recollection Of any unusual
number of $1,000 bills in circulation In
Helena during the winter Of 1S9S-93, when
the senatorial contest was on. The de9
post slip in Too1e's name showed depos-
its in currency amounting to $S,765 from
Nov. 8, 1898, to July 81, 1899 Davidson
had been in the commission business. but
had made an assignment.
HUMOR AND SENSATION.
William A. 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,
getting three rooms In the Power block,
which met Mr.. Steele's requirements of
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 Messgs. Steele,
Davidson and other supporters of Mr..
Clark discuss ways and means of secur-
ing support for Mr.. Clark. He had seen
sum of money which he thought was
$4,000 paid to one of the members.
Referring on discrimination to his
relation with Mr.. Steele, the Witness con-
tended that the latter was no especial
friend Of his.
1.-The only sign Of his friendship ever
received" he said, was that after he
had bought the grand jury he gave me
$50 to watch them. "3
This assertion raised laugh and also
a point of order which gave the commit
tee. considerable trouble. The committee,
in order to keep the investigation within
reasonable scope, had decided not to enter
into the grand jury investigation. The
information had been volunteered, and
Mr.. Faulkner insisted that If 1t was to
stand he. should have opportunity to re-
flute it.
The committee took the matter under
advisement.
The witness gave the amounts which
were, according to his Information, paid
to the different members Of the grand
jury.
During the cross-examination a sharp
tilt occurred between ex-Senators Ed
naunds and Faulkner, Of counsel on the
respective 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, If you don't
keep within the rules" responded the
Vermonter.
Senator Chandler interfered at this
point, and the investigation proceeded.
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 q number
Of Republican members who were not to
vote Immediately for Clark, not until the
button was touched"
Replying to Mr.. Faulkners efforts to
show inconsistency between the state
ments made today and those made in
Montana, Mr. Rector explained by say
ing: .'I have made no study Of 1t, because
there was no money in 1t for me-"
care you certain OF that2" asked Mr..
Faulkner.
mot dollar" was the reply.