The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-01-09

Washington, Jan. 5.-The senate com
mittee on privileges and elections today
began the Investigations Of the charges
of bribery made in connection with the
election of Senator Clark Of Montana.
Proceedings were begun by arguments
from counsel Oh both sides. MIR. Clark
himself was present with his counsel,
former Senator Faulkner,
Ex-senator Edmunds appeared as
leading counsel for the complainants,
making the first statement in support
Of the memorial presented against Mr..
Clark. He said complainants expected
to be able to prove all the charges made
to show that Mr.. CLARK election was
obtained by the liberal use OF money
and that large sums Of money were
furnished to this end in the contest.
He believed the expenditures could be-
traced to Mr.. Clark with duo etfolt on
the part Of the COMMITTEES. He said he
and his associates had many witnesses
summoned. Mr.. Edmunds also said
the complainants expected to prove all
the charges made, and in doing so,
would enter quite thoroughly into the
Whiteside libel case, showing that
when MI. CLARK had an opportunity to
oppose III court he has refused to ans.
wer any material question.
While Mr.. Edmunds was making his
statement "a question arose concerning
the admissibility Of testimony taken by
the grand jury Of Lewis aud Clarke
county.
SnnntrN Nn(NrNtne trrLy ArrnsSnn RI
intimate that he would hesitate to ad.
NIT statements purporting to violate the
secrecy Of a grand jury room.
Replying, Mr.. Edmunds said the
notes Of the grand jury proceeding had
been made by Attorney General Nolan
and had been presented and received
by the Montana court in the disburment
proceedings against John B. Welcome.
Ex-senator Faulkner made the form.
al statement on behalf Of Mr.. Clark.
He reviewed the politics of Montana,
referring to the "Daly gang and the
Clark faction" in the democratic poll.
tics Of the state. 1t was. he snid. al
acknowledged fact that the opponents
of Mr.. Clark in the state had determ.
ined to prevent his political prefer
ment. regardless OF all proprieties. It
would be shown that Notwithstanding
charges were made Of bribery against
some fifty persons. including thirty.
eight members Of the Legislature, there
had been no proceedings against any Of
the men thus involved in any Of the
Montana courts. This was evideno.
that the present proceeding was not
sustained by public sentiment.
He said: The prosecution was con.
oieved in tho womb Of personal malice,
rocked in the cradle Of personal hate
and nourished upon corruption and
jealousy. All the members Of the
Legislative committee were opposed to
Mr.. Clark
Outlining the defense Mr.. Faulkner
said it would show the proceedings
against Mr.. CLARK had really had their
origin in the senatorial contest Of 1898
when the idea Of springing the preten-
ded exposure Of Mr.. Clark upon the
Legislature was conceived by the Duly
faction had turned prophetic III Decem.
Der, 1898, and declared that If Mr..
Clark had shown his head something
would be heard to drop and that he
would drive Mr.. Clark out Of the state.
Associated will, ex-senator Faulkner
as counsel for Clark, is Roger Foster,
an attorney Of New York city and
Judge Bickford Of Missoula. while us.
ISOLATED with ex-senator Edmunds,
against Clark, are Congressman Camp.
bell and ex.Congressmun Hartman Of
Montana and Arthur A. Birnes, an at.
torney Of Washington city. The com.
mittee trying the case is composed Of
Senator, Chandler. chairman; Senators
Burrows, Hoar, Pritohard, McComas,
Harris, Gallery aud Petus.
SPEAKER STIFF TESTlFIES.