Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-05
INVESTIGATING
SENATOR CLARK
Senate Committee is Looking After
the Man from Montana,
BRIBERY CHARGES MADE.
Ex-senator Edmunds Says the Coui-
plaiuants VIII Prove Their Aceu-
sations- Statement for Clark.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The Senate
committee on privileges and elections
today began its investigations Of the
charges Of bribery made IN connection
with the election Of Senator Clark Of
Montana. The proceedings were be-
gun by arguments from counsel on
both sides.
Mr. Clark himself was present with
his counsel, former Senator Faulkner,
Ex-senator Edmunds appeared as lead
Ing counsel for the complaInants, maxi
ing the first statement In support Of
the memorial presented against Mr..
Clark. lie said the complainants ex-
pected to be able to prove all the
charges made, and to show that Mr.
Clark's election was obtained by the
liberal use Of money, and that large
sums Of money were furnished to this
end in the contest. He believed the
expenditures could be traced to Mr.
Clark with due effort on the part Of
the committee. He said he and his as
sociates mad many witnesses sum-
moned. MIR. Edmunds also said the
complainants expected TO prove all the
charges made, and in doing so, would
enter quite thoroughly into the White
side libel case, showing that when Sem
ator Clark had an opportunity TO ap-
pear In court he had refused TO an
swer any material questions.
While Mr. E1uaupto xpae -, l,fv.. ri.
statement, a question arose concern
ing the admissibllty OF testimony taken
Dy the grand jury Of Lewis and Clark
counties Senator McComas took oc-
casion to intimate that he would hest
tate to admit statements purportlng to
violate the secrecy Of a grand Jury
room. Replying, Mr.. Edmunds said
the notes on the grand Jury proceeding
had been made by Attorney General
Nolan, and had been presented and re-
ceiyed by the Montana court in the dis.
barment proceedings against John b.
Welcome.
Ex-senator Faulkner made the for
NAL statement on behalf OF Mr.. Clark.
He reviewed the politics Of Montana,
referring to the DAILY gang and the
Clark faction" in the Democratic poll.
tics OF the State. II was, he said, an
acknowledged fact that the opponents
OF Mr., Clark In the State had deter
mined to prevent his political prefer
ment regardless OF all the proprieties,
IL would be shown that notwithstand.
ing that charges were made OF brib-
cry against some fifty persons. lnclud-
ing thirty-eight members OF the legis-
lature, there had been no proceedings
against any Of the men thus involved
In any Of the Montana courts. This
was evidence that the present proceed
Ing was not sustained by public senti-
ment.
He said: 'The prosecution was con-
ceived in the womb of personal malice:
rocked In the cradle Of personal hate
and nourished upon corruption and
Jealousy All the members Of the leg
islative committee were opposed to Mr..
Clark.
Outlining the defense, Mr. Faulkner
said II would show the proceedings
against Mr. Clark had really had their
origin in the senatorial contest In 1898,
when the idea Of sprlnging a pretend
ed exposure Of Mr. Clark upon the leg
islature was conceived by the Daily fac
ton, and that the leader OF the faction
had turned prophetic in December, 1898,
and declared that If Clark had showed
his head something would be heard TO
drop that would drive Clark out Of the
State.
Other points Of the defense were out
lined and the statement was made that
II necessary each charge against the
senator will be met by direct and pos
tive proof Of It's falslty."
After hearing these preliminary
statements the committee held an exc
cutive session to decide upon the status
OF the papers before IL but after con-
siderable discussion on the points ad-
journed without action.
The hearing Of es'imony will begin
tomorrow