The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-18
CLARK CASE TESTIMONY
w. j. COOK AND w. F. RECTOR BE-
FORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
Latter Volunteers More Information
than He Was Asked FOr-MOney
Checked Out by Clark's Agents.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-After a recess
of four days. the Senate committee on
privileges and elections to-day resumed its
investigation of the charges of bribery in
connection with the election of w. A.
Clark to the Senate from Montana. AT the
outset Senator Faulkner stated in behalf
OF Mr.. Clark that the letters written to
him during and since the session of the
Legislature by DIR. Ector had been found
in Butte and were On their way to Wash
iDgton.
The first witness to-day was William ].
Cook. treasurer of Thomas Cruz Savings
Bank. of Helena. who was questioned con-
corning the accounts Of A. j. Davidson
and Hon. J. X. Toole with the bank. Dav-
idson's account was opened Sept. .. 1898,
and closed Feb. 9. 1899. Davidson was
considered a representative of Mr.. 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 s21S0O was deposited in Mr..
Davidson's 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 5000 on a telegraphic 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 payable In the of Mr.. Toole,
there was an effort to connect his with
drawal from the senatorial contest with
Mr. Clark's name. but Mr.. Cook said he
knew nothing about politics. Mr. Cook had
no recollection of any unusual number of
$1,000 bills in circulation in Helena during
the winter of fs9s-1S99 when the senatorial
contest was on. The deposit slips in Mr..
Toole's name showed deposits in currency
amounting to S. 765 from Nov. 8. 1885, to
July 81. 1899. Mr.. Davidson had been in the
commission business. but had made an as
eignment.
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. j. Steele,
getting three rooms in the Power block,
which met Mr.. Steele's requirement of a
vault and number of entrances These
rooms the witness described as a trap,
and said they were used for consultation
with members OF the Legislature. He
said that he had seen several members in
the room and had heard Messrs. Steele
and Davidson and other supporters OF
Mr. Clark discuss ways and means of Sc
curing votes. He had seen a sum of
money which he thought was $4,000 paid
to one OF the members.
Referring. on crOSS-examinatfOn, TO his
relations with Mr.. Steele, the witness con-
tended that the latter was no especial
friend OF his THE only sign of his friend
ship | ever received" he said, was that
after he had bought the grand jury, he
gave me $50 10 watch them
This assertion raised a 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 IL was TO stand.
he should have the opportunity to refute
1t. The committee TOOK the matter under
Amusement.
Mr. Rector said he positive 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 of number of repre-
eentatives who were not to vote immediate
~ for Clark. mot until the button was
touched"
Replying TO Mr.. Faulkner's efforts TO
show Inconsistency between the statements
made to-day and those made in Montana,
Mr.. Rector explained by saying: 81 have
made no study of IL because there was no
money I'm IL for me-
The committee adjourned until Friday
before Mr.. Rector concluded his testimony.