The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-08

ford was practically the only witness
before the senate committee on cleo
lions in the Clark investigation. He
was one Of Senator Clark's special
friends in the last Montana senatorial
campaign. Mr.. BicIford conuadicted
much of the testimony of Speaker Stiff,
Senator Myers. Representative Sulii-
van. DIR. Ester, Mr. COwen and others.
He. however. admitted rendering to DR..
FctOr 500 with which to lift the indebt-
edpess Of Representative Woods of Re-
Velli county, saying he had not intend
ed that Mr.. Woods should know OF ms
doing this, and his only purpose was
10 control the debt so that the DAILY
people could not get hold Of it and thus
force Woods into voting contrary to his
inclination.
He received the money from Senator
Clark's son, and when 1t was not &C
cepted for Mr. Woods by Mr.. .EctOr, he
had returned it TO Mr.. Clark
Mr.. BicEfOrd also explained the pur-
chase of timber lands owned by Repre-
sentative Mclaughlin. prior to the
meeting of the legislature. He contend
ed that the property was worth more
than had been paid for it. and that the
timber was necessary in Mr.. Clark's
business.
In his deal with Mr.. Mclaughlin wit
ness had never talked with him con-
corning the senatorial situation nor
tried 10 influence him in that COnnec-
ton to vote for Mr.. Clark
on his REORGANIZATION Bickford
stated that he was counsel IOr Mr.
Clark. but after saying that he would
not tell what his fees had been, he said
that all told AIr. Clark had paid him
s. 600 as counsel. He also said Mr.. VIII
liam McDermott had refunded to him
the money expended in the campaign,
and he thought Mr.. MCDermOtt was en-
gagged in Mr.. Clark's interest.
His Testimony Rejected.
The first witness called was George
i. McGraUh Of the civil service COM
mission. located at Chicago. He was, in
1892 and 1898, editor Of newspaper in
Butte. Mont, which, he said, support
ed Mr. DAILY. He was also secretary of
the Democratic state central commit
tee.
An attempt was made by counsel for
the defense TO investigate the Montana
senatorial election Of 1898, but it was
checked. Statements were made by
ex-senator Faulkner and Mr.. Foster
showing that they expected to prove by
McGrath that in 1893 he had been in q
caucus of Days friends, and that DAILY
had chen suggested the defeat of Mr.
Clark for the senate by getting some
one 20 go TO Mr.. Clark Tor money and,
failing to accomplish this purpose. to
put up the money himself for an Eek
posture" This, il was claimed by
counsel, was the scheme carried out by
Mr. DAILY through Mr.. WhiJeside in
1859, showing malice tenaciousIy held
by Daily.
The point was argued at length by
counsel on both sides, and the commit
tee went INFO executive session to de
eide it. Mr. McGrath being temporarily
Withdrawn from the stand.
When the doors were raOpened
Chairman Chandler announced that the
committee had decided to exclude for
the present the testimony relating to
the senatorial campaign OF 1888.
Not In Bribery Deal.
Powell Black, a member of the Mon
tana legislature, was then recalled. He
denied all the testimony of Whiteside
and ECtor connecting his name with
bribery and efforts at bribery in con-
necuon with the senatorial contest.
He said in contradiction of White
side that it was not true thai he had
been "hXed'' by AIr. Steele, and he de-
Eounced al of EctOr's stories conce~n-
ing him as untrue.
Walter Al. Biclford was next called.
He had leen one Of Alr. Clarks agents
in the senatorial campaign Of 1859,
and his name. next to that of 1fr Well
come, had been most frequently meu-
toned by the prosecution. Mr.. Bick-
ford said he was at present a resident
of Butte, but that ne had formerly
lived "a NsssOuia. where he was a law
partner of Mr.. Stir, speaker of the
house of representative. and a promi-
nent witness for the prosecution in the
ClaEk case.
Mr.. Bickford was first asked concern
ing his engagement of Mr.. Stiff to ex-
anime the title of the property owned
by H. W. Mclaughlin of the Montana
legislature which property was after
ward purchased by Mr.. Clark through
Mr.. Bickford.
Just Business Transaction.
The latter said it was an ordinary
business transaction, MT Stiff being
employed because IL was iBcOnventent
for him (the witness) to perform this
service himself.
Mr.. Bickford said that at subse-
quent time he had talked with Mr.
Stiff concerning the latter's candidacy
for the house speakership. He had
never however at any Of these con-
versatiOns told Mr.. Stiff that there was
an understanding that Mclaughlin
should vote for Mr.. Clark for the SEN
ate. He mad at one time prior TO the
Mclaughlin transaction talked with
Mr.. Stiff concerning the senatorial cleo
ton. He had preached the subject and
inquired of Mr.. Stiff how he felt on
the subject.
7 asked him how he felt toward Mr.
CLARK" said Mr.. BickfOrd, and he re-
Piled that he knew Of no reason Why he
could not vote for M. Clark If he
should be the nominee Of the Demo-
cratic legislative caucus.
Mr. Stiff told me he had aspirations
Tor the district judgeship of that dis
Jrlct, and said he wanted 20 so shape
his course as a member o. the house
as not TO injure his chances for the
nomination two years hence I then
thought him friendly to Dir, Clark.
Never Made Any Offer.
I understood Mr.. Stiff to say you
had offered him $4,000 20 withdraw
from the speakership contest and sup
port Mr. Clark for speaker. Is that
Irue2' asked Mr. Faulkner
IL IS not true" responded the Wit
ness emphatically. Il never made
such an offer to him or TO any other
man Nor had he ever offered to get
employment for Mr.. Stiff from Mr.
clark on salary. Stiff had promised
10 vote for Clark if he was the nominee
OF tne party, and he had not consid-
efed u necessary to speak to him
IA accordance with My Woods re-
quest, BE had engaged Dr.. EctOr TO as
SIS IN the campaign. He mad sent 5000