Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-21

Prise mere In Montana. The people
are familiar with enough facts in con-
lectlon with the late senatorial con-
test to be ready for any sort OF reve-
And 1t was almost certain
that the adherents Of W. A. Clark,
inter going to certain lengths In his
behalf, would resort to almost any
measure to secure his election. How
natural then that feelers should he
put out In the direction of the
supreme. court. 1t was n delicate
matter to be sure. Nothing could
be gained by going at 1t rough
shod; 1t must be accomplished with a
great deal OF adroitness, II not with
staggering Indifference. hence the
plea In Mr.. Hunts testimony IL
true as to the incidents, IL must be
taken in n 'iocular" sense, without
any intention of Offering n bribe.
But Justice Hunt did not take the
approaches that way; he Is no Joker
when it comes to the performance OF
the duties Of his high office. He IL a
high-minded, pure, public official, has
n keen analytical mind and from his
experience on the bench Is capable of
reading human character. Think
you that he regarded it as a Joke, as
a little pleasantly when he replied to
DIR. Treacy's suggestion that mot
all the money In the United Verde and
Anaconda mines, together with every
dollar that DAILY and Clark are both
worth, and that there IL In the banks,
would induce me to sacrifice my con-
science to the extent Of granting any
additional time In this or any other
case. The Welcome case must go
forward just az any other case
would" Or, again. when he replied
to further 'iocular" importnning.
that he would not swerve from his
position ito save my own life Or the
lives OF my children"
Yet with these frank statements,
the Helena Independent. In the des-
peration OF a lost cause, goes as far
as 1t dares without being In con-
tempt OF court, in discrediting his
testimony, using the term alleged
conversations" with DIR. Treacy in
scare headlines, and saying edi-
torially that: "As for Judge Hunts
testimony that he had been
tempted by a man In no way related
by business or politics to Senator
Clark, 1t can have no bearing on the
question at issue. A court would
have promptly thrown 1t out IN
utterly Irrelevant to the case under
consideration But a court CON-
posed OF some Of the best lawyers in
the United States did not throw out
the testimony. Justice Hunt had no
doubt whom DR.. Treacy represented
and 1t Is almost n sure thing there ~
no mystery to unravel by the com.
mittee on privileges and elections.
W. A. Clark was on the witness
stand all day Saturday, but his ties.
timony does not help his case one
iota. II was not expected that he
W ould make n clean breast Of every
thing. Yet by his own testimony he
admits to expanding in the neighbour
hood Of $4,000 IN the campaign,
when IL Is difficult to soc how such
an amount could he used legitimate.
ly. Mr.. Clark's testimony that he
did not want any Republican votes
unless he could get a majority, was
very fishy and subjected him to
some very sharp questions from
members Of the committee.
On the whole, the developments OF
the past week In the ease have been
To further the ends Of Justice, though
Montana lies bleeding ut her throne.
Every resident Of this state will re-
joice that the supreme court, at
least, Is above suspicion. Had this
august body besmirched its ermine
ut the Jingle of gold, the people
would have felt like abandoning the
state to the wolves and coyotes and
sought homes elsewhere.