The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31
Says He Won Between $1,000 and
$500 Playing Faro During Ses-
sion of Montana Legislature.
FOUND $1,100 IN HIS ROOM
WHICH HE QUIETLY POCKETED
WITHOUT MAKING INQUIRIES.
Admits Receiving Money for Voting
for Certain Measures, but Won't
Give Names of Bribers.

Give Names OF Brfbers.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 30.-When the Sem
ate committee on privileges and elections
adjourned its hearing to-day of the charges
made against Senator Clarke, of Montana,
in connection with his election to the
United States Senate, ii was understood
that the defense would be prepared to pro-
coed with the witnesses not later than
Monday next. Mr.. Campbell said he would
have only one or two more witnesses, and
without stating how many men he would
call Mr.. Faulkner said his witnesses would
follow each other in rapid succession and
there would be no delays. There was but
one witness on the stand to-day. ]. H.
Geiger, who, on a contest, was given the
seat of State senator in the Montana Leg
islature from Flathead county, at first &C.
cupied by Mr.. Whitesides, who is one of
the principal movers in the fight against
Mr.. Clark. Geiger voted for Clark, but
he insisted that he did so only because
the Republican caucus had declared for
him. He confessed to taking $500 in
money home after the adjournment of the
Legislature. OF this sum he claimed to
have won from $500 to 81 800 playing faro
and to have found 81, 100 of 1t in 500 bills
in his room. This latter amount he thought
had been left for him to influence him to
vote against bills Nos. 1872 and 134 relating
to corporations, but he did not know who
had left it there. Geiger said he had re-
ceived no money to vote for Mr.. Clark
and while he admitted having been ap-
4l-N1 ~
on other propositions, he refused to give
the names of persons who had talked with
him, saying TO do so would incriminate
himself.
When the committee began its session
this morning Mr.. Geiger was questioned
concerning his financial condition when he
was nominated He said: 'It was just mod
crate" He had been In the hotel business
and had sold out for about $3.50. He had
also received $500 from his mothers es-
tate and had borrowed $500 for the cam
paign.
THE WITNESS HESITATED.
After he was given his seat he had voted
twice for Leonard for senator and then for
w. A. Clark. Mr.. Geiger hesitated consid-
erably over a question as to what money
he had deposited in the First National
Bank at Kalispell during or since the ses-
sion of the Legislature, but admitted that
in May last he had bought a draft for
81, 500. paying currency for it, He had after
ward, in August, opened an account at that
bank, depositing $780, Since that time he
had made other deposits and had bor-
rowed from the bank 81 300. He had got the
$500 first deposited from several sources
Some of 1T got at poker and the faro
bank" he added.
You were a state senator. Do you not
know it was a misdemeanor to play faro?'
well, 1 was about as conscientious in
that matter as some other Montana Of
ficials." He had, he said, also won 81 900
in day on horse race while at Peoria.
Ill. All told, Mr.. Geiger said he had in
his possession $500 after going home from
the Legislature.
Where did you get the amount that
you have not already accounted for?"
81 can't tell without uncovering my pri-
vate affairs
do you decline to tell?'
al do
Members of the committee consulted as
to whether witness should be compelled to
answer and Mr.. Chandler informed Geiger
he must reply. The question as to where
the money came from was repeated.
The witness gazed at the ceiling for fully
five minutes. "where did get it? Why,
In Helena" he said.
Where did you get it?''
The witness again took long time to
reply. well, sir" he SAID, at last, Il
can't answer"
DO you mean to say that you don't
known"
Il don't know To be frank. there were
other ways of getting money in Helena
during the session of the Legislature. I
was approached at different times to vote
for different bills
did you make any money in that way?"
81 don't know. / never sold my vote,
but 1 got money"
committee requires you to state from
whom you got money. Go ahead and tell
what you know.
To this the response came quickly. The
witness said: 81 found package in my
room containing sl.1oo and 1 have Since
used the money. 1t was the time that
the corpora ton bill No. 132 was up. i
took the money, put it In my pocket and
used it, and from that time to the pres
ent have never said word about it..
| In reply to other questions he said that
he had an idea who left the envelope in
| the room, but that he did not know. He
had, he said. intended to vote for the bill
At this point Mr.. Faulkner representing
| the Clark interest, obtained permission to
ask question.
Twill you state" he asked. whether any
mart of that money was given you by any,
| one connected with Mr.. Clark, or by Mr..
Clark himself. to influence your vote Tor
him for United States senator?"
| But while he permitted the question Sen
| ator Chandler, as chairman of the COM
mittee, instructed the witness that he need
| not answer it at this juncture and the ex-
/ animation proceeded the original lines
| In reply to questions witness said he had
| been told that he could get $1,000 or 81. 20f
for his vote in opposition to the BILL but
| he declined TO tell who had made the
| suggestion on the ground that 1T would
1 incriminate himself
| who was it, Mr. Campbell asked, THAI
| made the proposition to you that you coult
| receive LOO for your vote against bill No
| 132 Bill 134?
| REFUSED TO CRIMINATE HIMSELF
| 1T was common talk over town thai
money could be had for votes" replied Mr.
| Geiger but 1 can't explain further with.
| out eliminating myself"
| Senator Chandler insisted on an explana
| ton as to how he could be incriminateo
| unless he had agreed to accept money fol
his vote but the witness would go no fur
| Their than TO say that he had told the party
| approaching him that he would see about
/ it."
| Asked concerning the purchases of prop
| erty in Kalispell. Mr.. Geiger at first sai6
| brother had. He said that $500 of the
/ money that he had originally deposited In
/ the First National Bank of Kalispell had
| been used 10 pay for that property. Wit.
| ness also admitted the purchase of lots
| and the construction of buildings on them
1 at Libby.
| Mr. Geiger said he had visited Senator
| Clark's room once on the day of the sen.
| ator's election, but. he said, neither w
| any of them far as l can remember
| ever approached me in regard to my vote
| but before l was seated 1 was frequently
asked how / would vote IL should get my