The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-24
REPORT OK CLARK CASE.

Washington, AprYl Ex-senator Chapd.
Ter. from the senate committee on privi-
leges ana elections, today submitted TO the
senate the report of that committee in the
case OF sepatoe Clark of Montana. II is
comparatively brief, covering only about
fifteen pages of brief matter. 1t does not
rehearse the testimony. but simply pre-
sents the findings of the committee aud
It's reasons for l,s course. The finding Of
the committee is stated as follows
The finding or the committee Is that
the election TO the senate OF William A.
Clark OF Montana ls null and void on
account OF bribcries, attempted briberies
and corrupt practices by his agents, ana Of
violation Of tbs laws Of Montana defining
and furnishing crimes against the elective
franchise"
In view OF this finding the committee
reports and unanimously recommends the
adoption by the senate of the following;
"Resolved. That William a. Clark was
not duly and legally elected 70 seat in
the United STATES senate by tho legs
lature OF the state of Montana"
The report concludes with a strong rec
ommendation for early consideration OF
the case. 1t gays. in part. The senate
should, as II duty 20 itself and to the
country, demonstrate by It's action in this
case that seats IN the United States senate
procured as Senator Clarks has been
procured, can not he retained by the de-
liherate Judgment of the senate. The GEN
ate also owes a duty to the people OF
Montana. who. conscious OF the bad reputs
Into which the State had fallen by reason
OF the vast expenditures of money in
connection with Its elections, manifested
such a public sentiment that the lcgis-
lature Of 1895 passed statute. which, II
oheyed, would have redeemed the STATE
from its bad namt.
For the direct and gross violations Of
that statute and the consequent discredt
which continues 20 rest upon the State,
Montana has a right to expect a prompt
and decisive remedy from the action OF
the senate upon the report OF this COM
mlttee."
The committee states that its finding Is
made IN view OF certain adr1itjed or I'M
/ disputed facts with their attendant cir
cumstances appearing in the testimony
taken by The committee. and these are
enumerated undsr fifteen headings, do fol-
( lows
4 l. The expenditures in the contest OF
1925. as testified 10 by Senator Clark and
Governor Hauser.
Q Quotes the law OF 1895 relative 10
/ crimes against the elective franchise
which limited in purpose and amount the
/ political expenditures which could be made
/ In any election. either by political COM
mitteee or candidate. especially naming
candidate fer United STATES senoar who
could not give more han $1,000 70 any one
committee IN tho country, and could not
pay more than $1,000 for his personal ex-
penses IN lawful ways specified.
9. Asserts that Senator Clark mas neen
constantly a candidate for Office and gives
his record IN that respect and notes the
organization OF a committee in his inter-
est IN the summer Of 1895 at.er the con-
sultation with his friends in Butte
ITO this COMMITTEES" the report SAYS,
'he raye unlimited authority 10 spend
moaey. which he agreed 10 furnish; an
estimate however being made that a.
least s350,0O0 would be necessary 70 se 81,
cure tie state convention and that Sio,9oO
might be needed 10 secure the state iesls-
llature" .,oa ~.
4. In the canvass whtcs ensuea ~
approximate expenditures admitted by th,
various members of his eonsmlIlee ap ~,
their assistants were as follows. 10y
lcharles ". Clark. $4,000; by Me Nc en
500 900. by Davidson, agent szz'svvi ps
WELCOME. s25. 600: by Steele, sii,vvo' ps
corbett $4,000; by Whitmore, s4oVv; y o,
lCoouer. $4,000. mainly furnished py =.
iCIark and the amount Of these espenai,
tures senator Clark himself paia 70 AZ =,
eou. The advances and pa'n'eN-'