Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-02-23
ADMITS SPENDING MONEY.
Senator Clark Appears Before Sen
ate Investigating Committee
and Testities.
CAMPAIGN IN MONTANA COST slI5,0oo.

Denies That Any of 1t Was Used to
Influence Votes-EXplains Why He
Entered the Contest-Wanted to
Break Down the zone Man Pow
err"
Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Clark
himself appeared before the senate
committee Investigating the bribery
charges connected with his election to
the senate. His appearance caused
ripple of interest throughout the
room. After being sworn the sena tor
took his seat quietly and Mr.. Faulk
ner Immediately began his questions,
the first of which brought out the
facts concerning Mr. Clark's career,
political and otherwise, in Montana.
lie said he had resided in Montana
since 1868, most of the time in Butte,
and had been engaged in many occupa-
lions. the principal of which were mer-
chandising, banking. mining and the
reduction OF ores. He had, he said,
taken an active part in politics, espe-
cially for the past is years.
Coming to the campaign of 1895 he
said he had entered it at the solicita-
ton of a number of friends "who had
asked me to help them organize the
state against what was called The DAILY
power, which / agreed to do with their
aid and assistance"
He then referred to the preliminary
meeting of his friends the particulars
of which were related by GOV. uauser.
in which he made the agreement above
related by agreeing to pay all the eN-
penses if the others would do the Or
ganizing and perform the work neces-
sary in the campaign.
Clark's Motives.
Relating further the motives actual
ing him in entering into this campaign,
which was for few of the state Off
GERS and for members of the legisla-
ture, he said he had sent out some
friends to feel the pulse of the state.
He also stated that democratic politics
in the state had been running wild
for some years. The democrats had
been fusing with populists and silver
republicans and he was opposed TO
such a course, because it resulted in
the nomination of people who We're
not democrats. The object was to so
organize as to break down the zone
man power" in the state. After ascer-
tanning these facts the senator said
that he had very reluctantly agreed
to the proposition of his friends and
to assist financially, furnishing such |
funds as were absolutely necessary in
a prudent way to accomplish the OBJ
ect aimed at.
Admits speealessss. .s,O
Senator Clark said he had at the |
meeting with his friends |
in Helena agreed to enter the cam
paign to wrest the power from DAILY,
out not with the understanding that
he would be senatorial candidate.
That conclusion had come later. He
$1l5O00 in the campaign. There were
four different contributions, pre-
liminary one of $4,000, then $4,000,
then $4,000 and then $4,000. He de-
MED explicitly all the statements made
by Whiteside, Mark Hewitt and others
connecting him with corrupt methods
in securing his election to the senate,
saying that so far as he knew no
money had been used corruptly in his
behalf. lie said he might have writ
ten the letter testified to by Justice
Brantley, but that he could not re-
member.
Justices Again on Stand.
Before Senator Clark took the stand
Justice Piggott, of the Montana su-
preme court, was recalled to make
some additions to his testimony. JUS
tice Piggott was followed by Chief
Justice Theodore Brantley. also of the
Montana state supreme court, making
the third and last member of that body
to be examined in this case He said
that on August last, when Justice
Hunt had his interview with DR.. Ira
cey and Justice Piggott his interview
with Mr.. Corbett, he was Oh the Pa
cific coast. He had first heard of the
nt-Tracey interview upon his return
in the latter part OF August. Justice
Hunt had then made full statement
to him and had advised with him and
with Justice Piggottsas to the wisdom
OF proceeding against Dr. Tracey.
They had advised against such a
course.
Chief Justice Brantley related an in
terview with Rev. DIR. A. B. Martin,
principal of the College of Montana,
a Presbyterian institution of learning
located at Deer Lodge. The chief JUS
tice is a member of the board of trus-
tees of this institution and Senator
Clark is its president. The witness said
DIR. Martin had come to his Office and,
requesting an interview, had shown
him letter signed by Senator Clark,
one sentence of which was as follows:
"See Justice Brantley and ask him not
to allow that good man Welcome to be
disbarred."
After reading the letter Justice
Brantley said he handed it back say
ing that he was only one member of
the court and could not control its
action, or would not if he could.
He had also assured DR.. Martin that
there was no prejudice in the court
against Mr.. Welcome and that he
would have fair trial. The chief JUS
tice said that he was not sure that
the letter showed him by DR.. Martin
was in Senator Clarks handwriting.
The interview had occurred in his Of
flee in Helena the latter part of octo-
Der last.
Senator Chandler announced that
DIR. Martin had been sent for and that