The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-21

tice Pigott, OF the Montana supreme NouIi'
and Frank E. Corbett. prominent attor-
ney at law. in the employment OF Senator
Clark. we're placed in opposition. Both
are men of high standing in Montana.
When Corbett was under examination,
about two weeks ago. he was asked by
counsel for the memorialists if he went
from Butte to Helena in a special train
on August 5, 1899. in response TO tele-
phone message from John S. Nj. NELL,
which said, I'VE cen do business with the
Supreme Court" Corbet' said he went to
Helena on special tain on the day
named. He went on legal business and
not in response TO any message from NELL.
He had accidentally met Justice Pigott
Justice Pigott was called TO the stand
a few days ago. and testified that Corbett
met him in Helena on August ), and said
he had come from Butte to see NELL, who
had sent a message TO the effect that he
could bribe the Supreme Court. He in
tended TO see Neill, and to warn him that
If he made any indiscreet proposition TO
the court, he. Corbett. would expose him
and foreclose a mortgage for $4,000 which
Senator Clark held on Neill's newspaper,
the Independent"
This testimony was considered so dam
aging to the cause of Senator Clark that
it was decided TO recall Corbett. This was
done yesterday Justice Pigott was prea-
ent. Corbett, after being sworn, was ask
ed: Did you say anything 10 Justice
Pigott about telephone message from
NELL, and did you say anything about
foreclosing on Neill's property"
The witness answered clearly and vehe-
mently in the negative.
Denied by Justice PiEott.
Justice Pigott, take the stand" said
Senator Chandler.
did MIR. Corbett tell you that he had
come TO Helena because of message from
NELL. and did he tell you that be would
foreclose on Neill's property if he made
any attempt to corrupt the Supreme
Court p
The witness answered with yehemence
and dignity in the affirmative.
These men stand out boldly in the af-
fairs of Montana, their integrity is IN
questioned there. and for years they have
been stanch friends.
The other dramatic incident of the ses-
sion of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections of the Senate occurred when e.
C. Day, the Clark candidate for Speaker OF
the Montana Assembly said that Senator
Clark, after his election TO the United
States Senate, had presented him with
SIS 900 as a testimonial and as compensation
for his service rendered in the Legislature
rlnrl Cd htrS fr1o
tor Chandler, Senator Hoar, Senator CAT
fiery, and Senator Pettus IL he had not vio- |
lated his oath as a member OF the Legis- |
iature in accepting any money for services |
rendered there. |
The enquiry was resumed at 1890 oclock |
yesterday morning. and Senator Clark re- |
turned to the witness chair for cross-ex- |
animation. which was conducted by Repre- |
sentative Campbell. counsel in chief for the |
Mr.. Clark on the stand.
Mr.. Campbell asked: I'm your testi |
mony yesterday you produced an ltemized |
statement of money expended by you for |
political purposes amounting to about |
$50 600; when did you make it out?"
Il made it out within the last few days" |
replied Mr.. CLARK.
From what did you make that memoir |
sndum2'
~ made it from my bank account with |
W. a. Clark g. Bro.
Il understood you to say yesterday that |
you destroyed your checks2"
Il did
did you say that you kept the stubs"
81 did not say SO; ! had no stubs. The |
checks are not drawn from a check book, |
hut simply from loose checks
When you draw these checks. do you |
make an entry in any book, or do you wait |
until the checks are returned?"
Il wait until get my statement and ] |
examine the checks with the statement"
Then, do you enter up all these bust |
ness transactions in a book?''
II enter them in q set OF books which / |
keep myself; but / have not kept them |
written up for the last eighteen months, as |
/ have been so busy"
And the only account you now have for |
the last eighteen months is the statement |
made 10 you by the various banks in which |
you do business
Yes"
did the committee of gentlemen who
acted Tor you in the election make any
statement of their expenditures. as re-
GulTtu y. lne law OF montana
Il do not know
Campaign Expenses.
The statute on the subject was read by |
counsel 1t was passed in 1885. and is very |
restrictive and Imperative In It's terms.
Senator Clark explained that the COM |
mittee which looked after the State con-
yention in the early fall. and after the |
State election In the fall was not appoint |
ed, but was constituted. and the same |
friends followed up the Senatorial bust /
ness
And the same friends handled the |
money"
Il think that is correct
Where did your son Charles get the |
s22, 600 which he paid out?"
Il presume he got it by checks on his
own hank account
when Mr. Welcome made this demand |
for $4,000 ON you. did be state TO You how
be had expended that money!"
II am not sure about any statement that
be made TO me- but suppose be did"
did he furnish you any itemized state
ment OF his expenditures"
He did not. He said he had made the
expenditures from his own means. and 4
reimbursed him TO the extent OF SIS. 600"
He simply told you h. had spent SIS
900 and YOU gave him a check for the
amount
yes These details are hard to renem-
Der. but that is my impression"
why is IL that. in a matter involving
SIS. 600, you cannot recoilect the conyersa-
ton as well as you recollect the conyersa-
ticn with Warren"
Because the Warren incident was so
unusual; while this other was In the ma
turai course Of affairs
The Warren Incident referred 10 was