The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-07
TESTIMONY IN
THE CLARK K CASE.
Speaker of Montana House the First
Witness to Testify.
OFFERS $4,000 FOR HIS VOTE.
Ono OF Mr.. Clark.s NJ anasera Had Said
They Expected to Pay Well for All
Votes Cast ftr Him-Demo-
cratic Votes, $4,000.
OFFERS $4,000 FOR HIS VOTE.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-Hcnry c. Stiff,
speaker of the Montana House OF Repre-
sentatiyes WAS the first witness in the
Clark case before tho Senate Committee
on Privileges and Elections to-day
Representative Campbell. OF Montana
Questioned Mr.. Stiff and his questions
were directed toward showing that the
embarrassed financial condition of State
Representative Mclaughlin had been
taken advantage Of by Senator Clark to
approach him 10 secure his vote and also
that Mr.. S,iff's own vote had been i'm
properly solicited.
Mr.. Stiff stated that he knew that Mr.
Mclaughlin was in distressed financial
circumstances prior TO the meeting OF The
Legislature. iie also stated that he had
himself been approached by. Mr.. w. NJ.
Ricliford, as representative OF Mr..
Clark and his support solicited for tho
latter.
Tho witness stated that in a conversa-
ton with Eickford week or SO prior
10 The meeting of the legislature the lat
ger had offered him $4,000 If he. would
withdraw from the contest for the
speakership and support Mir. Clark for
the Senatorship.
Objection being made that Mr.. Bick-
ford's agency was not shown. Mr.. Ed
nlunds said 1t would be 'conciusively
shown that ''B;ckford was the general
agent for Clark and that he had full pow
F.. er and plenty of money to act for him."
NO DEFINITE REPLY.
Mr.. Stiff also detailed a conversation
With MIR. a. s. Cook, former State Au-
ditor, who had offered him s2o0 to vote
for Clark
Il made no definite reply" said Mr.
Stiff. because l wanted to further inves-
tigate what was going on ! told him. "
he continued. that If Mr.. Clark really
wanted to secure my vote he could afford
10 pay more than s2u.GJO and suggested
$4,000. SAYING l did not want this to be
understood as an offer on my part. Mr..
Cooke said he would see Clark and we
agreed to meet again that day. I did
not however, see him again on this sub
ject-''
lie said upon examination that
he had never before testified TO this con-
Tersation.
Fred Whitcside Montana State Senator
from Flathead county, testified that he
had been approached prior TO and after
the meeting OF the Legislature III the III
ierest of Mr.. Clark's candidacy by John
s. Neiil. John E. Welcome and Charles
VI. Clark. a son of the Senator. He had
seen MIR. Welcome by appointment at his
hotel In Helena. and had also met there
others of Mr.. Clarlls friends. lie had
also met there Senator Clark. who told
him that Welcome had spoken favorably
of him ONhiteside). The first !ntimation
ne had had that his. support of Mr.. Clark
would BIZ TO his financial advantage came
from MIR. Nei!l Afterwards Mr.. Well
come had told him that his Vote for and
support Of Mr.. Clark would be worth
S11.Hoj He had co-operated with the
supporters of A1r. Clark for the PURPOSE
If exposing the corrupt methods which
he WAS satisfied We're being used to Sc
cur. Ciark'S election. He exhibited Il list
of the members of tho Legislature whom
Mr. Welcome and Senator Cark's son
hid requested him to see They had told
rim they were willing to pay $1,000 for
any 4 democratic VOC and more for me
vote of Mir ]. r Anderson, of MeNSher
county.
$40 900 A VOTE.
Mr.. Whiteside detailed his conversations
with WeI,cor-e Neil and Charles w.
Clark, relative to securing the votes Of
various members of the Legislature. lie
.old of holding $500 for one member
and $500 for anothe--the latter in $1,000
,,ilis. The first amount was returned TO
Mill and the latter was part OF -tthe
s3n.Og0 turned over to the State treasury.
He had been told by Clark's managers
that they would pay $4,000 for the votes
OF Democratic senators and members, ana
$1,000 for promises from Republicans. the
wees OF the latter 10 De cast OILY "iieii
called for. the money 10 be paid, however,
in any event.
One of Mr. Clark's managers had said
that they .axre-te to pay well for all the
votes cast for him, adding that any r'an
who votes fer him without being well paid
il a fool
In two other cases $4,000 had been
placed in an envelope and handed to him
to he he'd for senators whose votes We're
rod In
,ases the money was in $1,000 bills. and
,hfs 10000 making total of $4,000. had
heen turned over 10 the Legislative 1nves-
.i~a,ipe- COMMITTEE