New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-07
VOTE BUYING IN MONTANA.
THE CHARGES OF BRIBERY AGAINST
SENATOR CLARK
SPEAKER OF THE MONTANA HOUSE WITNESS
BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON PRIV
ILEGEs AND ELECTIONS.

ll1EGES AND ELECTIONS.
Washington Jan 6-Henry c. Stiff Speaker Of
the Montana House OF Representatives, was the
first witness in the Clark case before the Senate
Committee Privileges and Elections to-day
Representative Campbell of Montana, questioned
Mr.. stiff. endeavorng to show that the embarrassed
financial condition of State Representative Nc
Laughlin had been taken advantage Of by SEN
ator Clark to approach him to secure his vote
and also that M stfs vote had been i'm
properly solicited. Mr.. Stiff said he knew that
Mr.. Mclaughlin was in distressed financial cir
cumstances before the meeting of the Legislature
He also said that he had himself been approached
by W. M. Bickford. a representative of Mr..
Clark. and HIS support solicited for the latter The
questions were all objected to by the defence who
insisted that Mr. Clark must be directly connected
with all transactions with which 1t was sought to
connect HIS name. The reply was that his con-
nection would be shown over Mr.. Clark's signature
Mr.. Stiff said that in a conversation with Mr..
Bickford week so before the meeting of the
Legislature the latter had offered him $40 900 II
he would withdraw from the contest for the Speak
ership and support Mr. Clark for the Senatorship.
Objection being made that Mr.. Bickford's agency
was not shown. Mr. Edmunds said It would be
concusively shown that "Bickford the gen
eral agent for Clark and that he had full power
and plenty OF money to act for him."
Mr.. Stiff also related conversation with a. B.
Cook, formerly State Auditor, who had offered him
$4,000 to vote for Clark. 81 made no definite
reply" said Mr. Stiff because wanted to in
vestigate further what going told him."
he continued, that If Mr. Clark really wanted to
secure my vote he could afford to pay than
$4,000, and suggested $4,000 saying dids not want
this to be understood offer my part Mr..
Cook said he would see Clark. and agreed to
meet again that day. L did not, however, see him
again this subject
on cross-examination he said he had before
testified TO this conversation because in giving his
testimony before the Montana Supreme Court he
had not been asked about the incident and In
making his affdaVit concerning the bribery for the
benefit of the Committee Privileges and Flee
lions he had not considered the matter as neces-
sary.
Replying further to questions concerning his sug-
gestion OF $4,000 the price Clark should pay for
his vote, he said II believe l perfectly justi
fled in doing what did. l considered that most
outrageous crime was being perpetrated, ana L
was willing to act the part OF detective.
state Senator Whitsde, from Flathead Coun,
before and after the meeting of the Legslat-
ure In the interest OF Mr.. Clark's candidacy
by John S. NELL, John B. Welcome and Charles
w. Clark, a son OF the Senator. He had seen Mr..
Welcome by appointment at his room at hotel In
Helena, and had also met there others of Mr..
Clark's friends. He had also met Senator Clark.
who told him that Welcome had spoken favoraby
port OF Mr.. Clark would be to his financial adYan-
tage came from Mr.. Neill Afterward Mr.. Well
had told him that his vote for and support OF
Mr.. Clark would be worth $4,000 He had CO.
operated with the supporters of Mr.. Clark for the
purpose OF exposing the corrupt methods which he
was satisfied We're being used to secure Clarks
election. He exhibited list of the members OF
the Legislature whom Mr.. Welcome and Senator
Clark's son had requested him to see. They had
told him they were willing to pay $4,000 for any
Democratic vote, and more for the vote or j. L.
Anderson, OF Meagher County.