The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-18

Mr.. Clark Says He Did Not Authorize,
Nor Did He Connive in the Au-
thOrizatiOn of Any One to Use
Money In Amy but n Legitimate
Way Accepted Senatorial NOm-
inatIon Under Protest.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Clark, Of Montana, was on the witness
stand before the senate committee on
elections for about four hours today and
when the committee adjourned for the
day only his examination in chief had
been completed, leaving his cross-exam-
ination for next Monday. His testi-
mony related solely to the charges made
against him in connection with his elec.
tion by the legislature of Montana to the
United States senate, during it's sitting
last winter. He denied explicitly and
categorically all the charges of the use
of money by himself, or with his con-
niVance or consent, to corrupt members
of the legislature in his behalf, contra-
dieting many of the statements made by
witnesses for the prosecution. He ad-
mitted having paid an aggregate of
about $115,000 during the campaign, but
said this expenditure was for legitimate
purposes only. The large outlay was
due to the fact, he said that he had
contracted to pay all the expenses of a
campaign against Mr.. Daly's rule In the
state, and he had gone into the compact
to that end, because he considered Mr..
Days rule tyrannical and opposed to the
best interests of the state.
RIPPLE OF INTEREST.
Mr.. Clark's appearance caused a ripple
of interest throughout the room. After
being sworn the senator took his seat
quietly and Mr.. Faulkner Immediately
began his questions, the first of which
brought out the facts concerning Clarks
career, political and otherwise, in Mons
tana. He said he had resided in Mons
tana since 1863 most of the time in Butte,
and most of the time had been engaged
In many occupations, the principal of
which were merchandising, banking
mining and the reduction of ores. He
kad, he said, taken an active part in
politics, especially for the past fifteen
years
Coming to the campaign of 1898 he said
number of friends, "who had asked him
to help them organize the state against
What was called the Daily power, which
[ agreed to do, with their aid and as
sistance.
He then referred to the preliminary
meeting Of his friends, the particulars
of which were related by Gov. Hauser,
In which he made the agreement above
related by agreeing to pay all the ex-
penses if the others would do the organ
izing and perform the work necessary
In the campaign.
Relating further the motives actuating
him in entering into this campaign, which
was for few of the state offices, and
for members, of the legislature, he said
he had sent out some friends to feel the
pulse of the state. He also stated that
Democratic politics In the state had been
running wild for some years. The Dem
ocrats. had been fusing with Populists
and Silver Republicans and he was op>
posed to such a course, because 1t re-
suited in the nomination of people who
were not Democrats. The object was to
so organize as to break down the "one
man power" In the state. After ascer-
tanning these facts the senator said he
had very reluctantly agreed to the prop,
osition of his friends and to assist finan,
cially, furnishing such funds as were
absolutely necessary, in a prudent way,
to accomplish the object aimed at
WAS NOT A CANDIDATE.
Mr.. Clark said at this preliminary meet
Ing he had stated distinctly that he
would not be a candidate for the SEN
ate, and that he had not changed his
mind until after the election of the legis-
lature.
did you, in accordance with your
agreement with your friends at that
meeting, make any contributions to the
campaign fund?'' Mr.. Faulkner asked.
Yes, sir, was the reply Some days
after this meeting l gave the amount
which It had been estimated it would be
necessary to begin with This amount
was $685. 900. The second contribution was
made in October and amounted to $4,000.
In November l contributed $4,000. and
after L was elected 1 gave my SON. c. w.
Clark, a check for about s205O0 Il, nav
expenses incurred during the sitting of
the legislature in Helena. Upon leaving
that city had told my son to stay there
ana Selll6 up dll DIIlS Inal naQ been In
CURED. On his returning to Butte he
gave me~a statement, showing disburse-
ments amounting to about this sum.
These four contributions were all that
were made by me during that campaign -
Explaining to Senator Hoar, Mr.. Clark
said that the first contribution of $35 900
was necessary in organizing for the leg
islative campaign, great deal of money
being required to get voters registered
and to get them to the polls
Ibid you ever" asked Mr. Faulkner.
directly or indirectly, make any money
or other voluntary contributions to Sc
cure the vote of any member of the leg
islature for you for United States sena-
tori
10, sir, never did" responded the
witness, holding himself erect and look
ing directly at his interrogator.
do you know, of your own personal
knowledge, of any money being used to
corruptly influence votes in your behalf?''
was the next question.
To this the senator replied: 'I do not
There were plenty of rumors about the
expenditure of money, but have no per-
sonal knowledge of anything of that kind
being done"
Senator Clark was questioned concern
Alg. his conversation with Senator White
side and Mark Hewitt and his reported
conversation with Representative Jack
son. of Utah. He denied having any con-
yersation with Jackson, and while ad-
mitting conversing with WhitesAe and
Hewitt he contradicted ali their state
naents made In their testimony which