Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-21
A SENSATION IN WASHINGTON
Chief Justice BrantIey Also Testifes That His Aid
Was Wanted in Saving Welcome.
w. A. Clark Testes.

his workers at the primaries to use
none but honest means and to devote
themselves to preventing fraud.
McDermott was still on the stand
when the usual noon recess was
taken.
At the afternoon session McDer-
mott said that just prior to the
meeting OF the legislature, State Sen
ator Clark. OF Madison county, had
told him In Blckford's Office that he
meant to vote for Mr.. Clark for the
United States senate, and that he be-
lieved Others from the Madison coun-
ty delegation would do the same.
McDermott said he had been pres
ent at frequent consultations of Mr..
Clark's friends. but he had never
heard the corrupt use of money In
Clark's interest mentioned and knew
of no corrupt use OF money In Clark's
interest. The witness said he had
spent $4,000 or $16,OO In Clark's in
terest In the legislative campaign,
and that Charlie Clark. the senator's
son, had given him this money. Al.
ter the state elections he had ex-
pended 5000 or $4,000 which had
come from C. W. Clark and Welcome.
This, he said, he paid to every Tom,
Dick and Harry who asked him for
ito rs or 100 persons more or less.
He had kept a correct account OF all
his expenditures, but had not been
able to find his books. All told, he
was very sure he had not handled
over $4,000 during the campaign,
including both the legislative cam
paign and the senatorial contest.
When he wanted money he would go
to the bank and get 1t. The under
standing with Charley Clark was to
keep money there to meet these de-
mands.
Asked the purpose OF the commit
tee OF which he was a member, Mr..
McDermott said that it was for the
purpose of preventing DAILY from
controlling the state" II the DAILY
men were for fusion we were against
it, and II they were against fusion
we were for 1t; anything to beat
DAILY"
Asked for list Of men to whom
he had paid money NcDermott men,
TONED a man named Johnson, whom
he said, was an expert In keeping
check on such matters. "Wehad him
quite busy at times watching YOU"
speaking to Campbell and whiteside.
All told, he thought, there were 300
or 400 men in Helena working for
Clark during the senatorial contest.
Their principal business was to pro.
tect members Of the legislature from
being intimidated by the DAILY people
All, however. were under pay.
"Who were the terrible intimida'
tors you refer to-" asked Mr.. Camp.
bell.
Il do not know. but you was one
OF them" replied the witness.
Senator Chandler asked: "What
compensation did you get for your
services?
"It was not my intention to take
anything, but l did get a present o.
$4,000 after the senatorial election. y
"Who sent it to you?"
"W. A. Clark sent me check. ]
tried to get him to take it back, bu,
could not. l put 1t to my account.
McDermott said that while In Hell
ena he received 800 affidavits OF per
SONS registered from vacant lots and
forty from one room. Yet he hat
torn them up, and made no com
plant before justice OF the peace
because there was no justice there HI
had any confidence In. McDermOt'
said that In Silver Bow county. II
which Butte Is located, DAILY employ
ed 1000 or 5000 men, and Mr.. ClarI
500 or 300.