New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-24
CLARK'S ELECTION VOID
REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES
on PRIVILEGES AND ELECTIONS

IF
GRT TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUxrI
Washington, April 23--The Indictment drawn bv
the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections
against William A Clark, Of Montana, was present
ed in the Senate to-day by Mr. Chandler the chair
man Of the committee. who spoke SO far as the
findings were concerned. for its entire membership
NJ Pe:tus. Of Alabama. representing himself and
also. apparently, Senators Harris and Turner an
nounoed that a supplementary minority report
would Re submitted. dissenting from some of Mr.
Chambers conclusions and differences but In no
way challenging the committees decision that the
election was vitiated by excessive campaign ex-
penditures- While fastening no direct charge Of
political corruption on Senator Clark himself the
committee plainly and frankly declares The Iee1s-
lature's choice null and void ION account of bril-
berries attempted brbertes corrupt practices bv
his agents and Of violations Of the laws Of Mon
tana defining and Furnishing crimes against the
elective franchise"
The prepala alton Of the minority report will de-
lay for several days bur il is likely that the
Junior Montana Senator will find his tenure Of Of
fee extinguished early in May
The report presents the findings OF the committee
and its reasons for its course The finding is stated
as follows:
The finding OF the committee is that the election
10 the Senate OF William A. Clark, of Montana is
null and void, on account OF briDeries attempted
bTberies and eorTupt practices by his agents. and
Furnishing crimes against the elective franchise.
In view Of this finding the committee reports and
unanimously recommends the adoption by the Sen
ate Of the following resolution:
Resolved, That William A Clark was not duly
d by the Leesare Of fh STATE at t6 o
Montana.
The report closes with a strong recommendation
FOR early consideration of the case, as follows:
The Senate should, as a duty to itself and TO the
country. demonstrate by its action in this case that
IN the United States Senate procured as SEN
stor Clarks has been procured cannot De retained
~ me GeliIeItle judgment OF the Senate
Montana W6 e Conscious Of the '6 6a6 me Be9P f Of
which he State had fallen by reason Of vast ex-
ions manifested such public sentiment that the
leglsat4re , o. lss5 PASSED a statute which, if
bad Fer the direct and gross violations Of
continues 10 rest upon the State Montana has
ri~ht 70 expect prompt and decisive remedy from
mittee '''e 'A'-' % ''i'S ''"'-
The committee says that the finding is made in
view Of certain admitted or undisputed facts. with
their attendant circumstances appearing IN the
testimony. and these are enumerated under fifteen
headings. follows:
Flrst-The expenditures II the contest Of 1895 as
;estihed 70 2y Senator Clark and Governor Hauser.
against the elective franchise. which limited in
khich could be made in any Lection H}IFer bI Is
POLITICAL committee or candidate, especially
.culd not give more than $1,000 70 any one com
mittee in one county, and could not pay more
than N"le for his personal expenses in lawful
aHty candidate FOR oice and gives MS ei record
n that respect and notes the organization OF a
committee II his interests in the summer Of 1898
after the consultation with his friends in Butte.
uhed 8afory to sp s0r mo oas w Rs sa Be
.eTsea 70 furnish: an an estimate; however being
secure he State Convention. and that $4,000 might
Fourtb1Tn he canvass 2Thteb eeS5 1T;
mate Expenditure admitted by The various mem
'ollows BY Charles ". clark So 900. BIZ McT1ers
oe By s5 eea a 65 SO o a9o by Web od
y Nhitmore 900, and by Cooper 50. 800 mainly
these EXPENDITURES Senator Clark himself paid to
rs so- ne aqyanSes and payments made by
nltied by MIN amounted 70 about $4,000 of
lagast = 1895 So 900: OCTOBER Il 20 566 No I Tn
addition to this sI39 600 senator clark paid * o6
. AcDermott. one Of his agents; 5000 TO Well
r Of ms fhe Trsls1a ana 5000 10 E c Day mem
FIfth.None Of me menbers Of his committee
y law. nor did Senator Clark himself make any
Section % = deals with the business transactions
= 1b "a ail az i IT, with members
esentative McLaughlin's property the tender Of
rage his ranch ard the later sale Of the rancf:
1e estaplish[neTt q . bank after the adjournment
senator T!erney and REPRESENTATIVE Eversoe and
nd other property in JEFFERSON Gountv "a reTTe
entatiye Of Mr.. Clark by Senator Warner; the con
swsfer and the present Of s 900 10 aRd
Day after the adjournment Of the Legislature
only TWO points Of law are presented. follows:
First-It IS clear that II by bribery or corrupt
racCces on me part Of the friends Of candidate
rho are conducting his canvass votes are obtained
OF hin. without which he would not have had
majority. MS election should be annulleG although
proof Is lacking that he knew Of the bribery or
corrupt practices
second-It seems 20 have been admitted that #
ne person elected clearly participated in any one
ict q bribery or attempted bribery. he should be
deprived q his Office although the result OF The
lection was not thereby changed.
The majority Of the committee express the opinion
nat the transactions concerning the Judges OF the
Supreme Court q Montana need special con
liberation. " and after relating the circurnsta noes
connected with this episode they remark:
tpon the foregoing undisputed facts and
lther facts which are Controverted Z majority Of
ne committee believe thar Senator Clark's agents
their desperation on account Of the decision of
ne court 70 take Jurisdiction IN the Welcome
,sse attempted improper approach 10 the
'tcges % the court and 10 Attorney-C Nolan
which fact cannot bit have a certain influence IN