Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-02-21
CLARK SPENT sII5,OOO
Cut Declares u Was All in a
Legitimate Way.
MAD NEvLE PURCHASED A VOTE.


MAD NEvLE PURCHASED A VOTE.
investigating his Election How He
Agreed to Pay Campaign Expenses
CO"tradicts tine Statements Made by
Wh.teside and Hewitt-Does Not Re-
member wri,ing " Justice BrantIeys
Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Clark
was a witness before the committee
investigating charges of corruption In
connection with his election. Mr..
Clark's appearance caused a ripple OF
interest throughout tie room. After
being sworn the senator took his seat
quietly and Mr.. Faulkner immediate
ly began his questions, the first Of
which brought out the facts concern
ing MIR. Clark's career, political and
otherwise, IN Montana He said he
had resided in Montana since 1868,
most of the time in Butte and had
been engaged in many occupations.
the principal Of which were merchan-
dising. banking, mining and the reduc-
ton of ores. He had, he said, taken
an active part in politics, especially
for the past fifteen years. Coming
to the campaign of 1888 he said he had
entered it at the solicitation Of a num-
Der of friends who had asked me to
help them organize the state against
what was called the Daly power,
which l agreed to do with their aid
and assistance"
Would Pay All Expenses.
He then referred to the preliminary
meeting of his friends, in which lie
made the agreement above related by
agreeing to pay all the expenses if the
others would do the organizing and
perform the work necessary in the
campaign. Relating further the mo-
tives actuating him In entering into
this campaign which was for few
of the state officers and for members
of the legislature, he said he had sent
out some friends to feel the pulse of
the state. He also stated that Demo
cratic politics in the state had been
running wild for some years. The
Democrats had been fusing with Pop
ulists and silver Republicans and he
was opposed to such course because
1t resulted in the nomination of people
who were not Democrats. The OBJ
tect was to so organize as to break
down the lone man power" In the
state. After ascertaining these facts
the senator said that he had very re-
luctantly agreed to the proposition OF
his friends and to assist financially,
furnishing such funds as were absO-
lutely necessary In prudent way to
accomplish the object aimed at.
Mr.. Clark said at this preliminary
meeting he had stated distinctly that
he would not be a candidate for the
senate and that he had not changed
his mind until after the election of the
legislature.
"Did you In accordance with your
agreement with your friends at that
meeting make any contributions to the
campaign fundr Mr.. Faulkner asked.
Eyes, sir" was the reply. ''SOme
days after this meeting l gave the
amount which 1t had been estimated
would be necessary to begin with.
That amount was $4,000. The Sec
ond contribution was made In October
and amounted to $4,000. In Novem-
Der l contributed $4,000 and after
/. Eas elected gave my son, G. w.
Clark. a check for about $4,000 to
pay expenses Incurred during the sit
ting of the legislature In Helena. Up
on leaving that city had told my son
to stay there and settle up all bills
i that had been incurred. Upon his re-
| turning to Butte he gave me a state
ment showing disbursements amount
J ing to about this sum. These four
contributions were all that were made
by me In connection with that cam
paign."
Never Purchased Vote.
Explaining to Senator Hoar, Mr..
! Clark said that the first contribution
J of $4,000 was necessary in organizing
/, for the legislative campaign, great
deal of money being required to get
voters registered ard to get them to
the polls.
"Did you ever" asked Mr.. Faulkner,
directly or indirectly make any
money or other voluntary cOntribu-
tons to secure the vote Of any MEM
Der of the legislature for you for
United States senatorT
"No. sir, l never did," responded the
witness, holding himself erect and
looking directly at his interrogation.
did you know Of your own per-
sOnal knowledge of any money being
used to cWruptly influence votes In
your behalfw was the next question.
To this the seantor replied: 81 do
not. There were plenty of rumors
about the expenditure of money, but
have no personal knowledge Of any.
thing of that kind being DONE"
Senator Clark was questioned con
corning his conversations with Sena
tor Whiteside and Mark Hewitt and
his reported conversation with Repre-
sentative Jackson of Utah. He denied
having any conversation with Jack
son, and while admitting talking with
Whiteside and Hewitt, he contradict
ed all the statements made by them
In their testimony which would In
any way implicate him with corrup
methods In the legislature. He said
he might have written the letter test
fed to by Justice Brantley. but that hi
could not remember.
Currency Bin Passed.
Washington Feb. 1.-THE currenc,
bill passed the senate by vote of Al
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