Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-06
SENATOR CLARk'S CASE.
The Investigation Of the Alleged Bribery
Commenced. Friday.

Washington. Jan. 5.-The Senate com
mittee on privileges and elections, today.
began its investigation of the charges oil
bribery made in connection with the cleo
ton of Senator Clark of Montana. Inc
proceedings were begun by arguments
from counsel on both sides. Mr.. Clark
himself was present with his counsel
former Senator Faulkner.
Ex-senator Edmunds appeared as lead
ing counsel for the complainants. making
the first statement in support of the me-
mortal AGAINST Mr.. Clark He said the
Complainants expected To be able to show
all the charges made ana to show that
Mr.. Clark's election was secured by the
liberal use of money. He believed tina
the expenditures could be- traced t. Mi
Clark with due effort on the part Of the
committee
Mr. Edmunds also said that the com
claimants expected to prove all the
charges made. and in So doing would en-
ter quite thoroughly into the Whiteside
libel case. showing that when Senator
Clark had an opportunity I" appear N
court he had refused q answer any ma
terial questions.
While Mr. EdmunGs was making his
Il
the admissbility of testimony taken by
the grand jury Of Lewis ana Clark coun-
ties. in which connection Senator Me
ComaS took occasion to intimate that n"
would hesitate to admit statements pur-
porting to violate the secrecy of 4 grand
jury room.
Replying Mr.. Edmunds said that the
notes on the grand jury proceeding hld
been made by Attorney General Nolan
and had been presented ana received ~
the Montana court in the disharment pro
ceedings against John Il. Welcome.
Mr. Hpar suggested that the testimony
should be admitted for the time ana its
relevancy determined upon the final de-
cision Of the case. This brought out j
spirited protest by Rogers Foster of New
York. who appeared as one Of the coun-
sci for Mr. Clark He urged that such a
course vas contrary To- the pr"ccdonts nt
the committee; that Mr. Nolan was per
sunally antagnnistic to Mr.. clark ana
that at best the testimony was TX parto
Such a document was no more in evidence
than an indictment would be.
Referring to the Montana supreme
court he said there was politics there as
well as elsewhere in the state. lie in
sisted that MIR clark should have right
to face and cross-rXAmine all witnesses.
Ex-senator Faulkner made the formal
statement on behalf of Mr.. Clark. He
reviewed the politics Of Montana, refer
ring to the "Daly gang ana the Clark
faction" in the Demoo ratio politics Of the
state at is" he said. IAN acknowledged
fact that the opponents Of Mr.. Clark in
the state had determined to prevent his
political preferment. regardless of all the
prophecies. Ii would be shown that not
withstanding charges OF bribery Were
made against some 50 persons, including
80 members of the Legislature, there had
been no proceedings against any of the
men thus involved in any of the Montana
courts. This was evidence that the pres
ent proceeding was not sustained by pub
lie sentiment
He said The prosecution was con
ceived in the womb OF personal malice.
rocked in the cradle of personal hate and
nourished upon corr upton and Jealousy.
All the members of the executive com
mittee were opposed to Mr.. clark.
Quitting the defence Mr.. Faulkner said
against Mr.. Clark had really had their
origin in the senatorial contest in lS'i
when the idea of sprinEinE a pretended
exposure Of MIR clark upon the Leg .slatu: :
was conceived by the DAILY faction. and
that the leader 81 that faction had turned
prophet. in December. iNN. ana declared
that III Clark showed his head something
would be heard to drop and that he would
drive Clark out of the state.