The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-21
CLARK CLOSES
HIS TESTIMONY
DIScIaims All knowledge Of Re-
ports Of Bribery In His Behalf.
WELCOME ON THE STAND
Floor NahsOer Day Confronted With
Some Hard Nuts to Crack Ia Con-
nsctiOI With His Oath Of Office.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 20 Senator
Clark today continued and completed
his testimony before the senate COM
mlttee on elections. but his testimony
did not attract as much attention as
that Of other witnesses who were heard
during the day.
His cross examination by Campbell.
related almost entirely to questions
concerning campaign expenses. Asked
about the reports that his son had
bought a large amount Of property
from State sentor Warren. Clark said
he made no inquiry Of him because
he was thoroughly convinced the re-
ports were untrue.
Il asked neither him nor Welcome.
nor Bickford. nor Steele, nor any Of the
men in regard TO any OF the reports
Of bribery. because was sure they
were absolutely false. The charges
were made" continued Clark, by men
in whom 1 had no confidence, and they
went in one ear and out the other"
His son. he said, was in the habit OF
conducting his own business without
consulting him. Campbell. during the
course OF the cross examination, asked
Clark TO submit his account books
showing his expenditures since the be-
ginning Of the campaign in Montana.
Faulkner objected He said Clark had
made a statement showing all his po-
litical expenditures. and that he was
not bound 10 expose his personal busi-
ness adventures. Campbell said all the
prosecution asked was that some one
appointed by the committee should
have an opportunity Of examining tie
books.
No decision was reached at the time,
and Clark was temporarily excused to
permit Frank Corbett TO be heard con-
cerning the incidents growing out of
his visit to Helena on a special train
on August Z last He said he had not
at the time known Dr. Treacy. hav-
ing only met him last November. Ask
cd why II was necessary to take a
special train to Helena August 5. in
connection with the Welcome disbar-
ment case. the witness said informa-
tion had come to him that Welcomes
Helena attorney said he did not mean
TO file any answer. He had told Char
ley Clark that the matter was serious
and important and should be attended
to.
The trip was made for that pur-
pose, said Corbett and the idea that
| had anything to do with bribing the
supreme court is simply insane"
Faulkner Having read Justice Pig
gotts testimony. have you any eorrec-
tion to make of your statement former
ly given to this committee.
Witness-I have not; my statement is
here with Pisgott's and will have to
stand.
The other witnesses besides Frank
Crbett. of Suite, recalled, were +. c.
Day, who Vas the Clark leader on the
floor of the Montana house of repre-
sentatives, and John b. Welcome, who
was general manager for Clark.
Welcome did not take the stand un
til late and his examination in chief
was not completed when the commit
tee adjourned for the day. He made
a general and specific denial of all the
allegations made by Whiteside and 9TH
ers. These denials were made in re-
sponse to questions by Faulkner and
the Witness uniformly answered, Il
did not" NO or Nothing like ii
occurred"
Day admitted having accepted a
present OF $1,000 from Frank Clark and
said he understood that it was given
as testimonial and as compensation
for his services.
His oath of office as a member of the
house was read and seemed to produce
quite an impression upon some of the
committee.
Did you have your oath of office
in mind?" Mr.. Birney asked. Day re-
piled that he did not, This oath was
found to contain the following clause;
II will not knowingly, directly or in
directly, accept any money or valuable
thing for the performance or non-per-
formance of any act or duty pertain
ing to my office"
Corbett and Justice Piggott were con
fronted for a brief period early in the
day in rather a dramatic manner. They
both testified concerning the mortgage
held by Corbett and there was a direct
clash in their statements.