The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-18
CLARK BRIBERY INQUIRY.
MORE TESTIMONY SHOWING LIB
ERAL USE OF MONEY.
witness Testines to $4,000 Having
Been Paid In His Presence to n
Republicans Member 10 Vote for
Clark, when His Vote Was Needed

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-After a re-
cess OF four days the senate committee on
privileges and elections today resumed in
vest,gation 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 be-
half OF Mr.. Clark that the letters written
to him during and since the session OF the
legislature by DR.. Ector had been found
in Butte and were on their way to Wash
ington.
Hank Omcer Testihes.
The first witness today was William j..
Cook, treasurer Of the Thomas Cruise Saw
ings bank, of Helena, who was questioned
concerning the accounts Of A. j. David
son and Hon. J. X. Tool/ with the bank
Davidson's account was opened Septem-
Der 9, 1893 and closed February Q, 1899
Davidson was considered representative
OF Mr.. Clark in the senatorial campaign
and the effort was to show that Senator
ciark's money was being used. Mr.. Cook
sid that from first to last 81 500 was de-
iosited in Mr.. Davidson's name and that
1900 of this amount came into the bank
n the shape of draft from the bank of
lark & Bro. Butte. and $500. on tele-
sraphic 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 made payable. In the
case of Mr.. Toole, there was an EFFORT to
connect his withdrawal from the contest
with Mr.. Clark's name, but Mr.. Cook said
he knew nothing about politics.
Did Not Know About % 900 Bills.
Mr.. Cook had no recollection OF any UNI
usual number Of 81 900 bills in circulation
in Helena during the winter of 1883.
when the senatorial contest was on. The
deposit slips in Mr.. Toole's name showed
deposits in currency amounting to $S,765
from November 3. 1898, to July 81. 1899
Mr.. Davidson had been in the commits
sion business, but had made an assign
ment.
Saw Money Paid Legislators.
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 Powers block
which met Steeles requirements of a
vault and number Of entrances. The
rooms the witness described as "a trap"
and said they were used for consultation
with members of the legislature. He
stated that he had seen several members
in the room and had heard Messrs. Steele
Davidson and other supporters Of Mr..
Clark discuss ways and means of secur-
ing votes. He had seen sum of money,
which he thought was $4,000, paid to one
OF the members.
How the Grand Jury Was Bought.
Referring on cross-examination, to his
relations with Steele, the witness con-
tended that the latter was no especial
friend of his.
'.The only sign of friendship ever re-
ceived,'' he said. was that after he had
bought the grand jury he gave me $50
to watch them"
This assertion raised a laugh and also
a point of order which gave the commits
tee considerable trouble.
The committee. In order to keep investi-
cation within reasonable scope, had decid-
ed not to enter into the grand jury inves-
tigation.
The information had been volunteered.
and Mr.. Faulkner insisted that II 1t was to