Evening journal., 1901-02-27
Hearn Made Effort to Shield
Layton
FRANKLY ADMITTED The SANE
Investigating Committee Closes TeS-
timOnV and Will Report Its De-
ciSiOn Tomorrow Morning
Stan Correspondence Evening Journal.

STAFF Correspondence Evening Journal.
Dover, Feb 27.-The fate of Repre-
sentative Robert Reese Layton, Unicn
Republican, from Second representative
district of Sussex county, now rests in
the hands of the Hearn Bribery In
vestigation Committee.
After calling many witnesses, both
sides closed last evening, and without
argument, submitted the matter of his
guilt or innocence to the five men Sc
lected to hear and determine the case,
and it will meet on Thursday morning
at 10 o'clock and take the initial
steps towards reaching de-
csion and making a report.
While the hearing last night was
tull of exciting incidents, it was net
nearly SO sensational as the morning
hearing, for the most startling revela-
lions were made at the opening. when
Representative Hearn made his bold
and unqualified declaration under oath
that Representative Layton, an Ad-
dicks member of the Legislature, had
offered him from 81 500 to $4,000 to alb
sent himself and prevail upon an
ether Democratic member to absent
himself on last Thursday, and, next
day, offered him from $500 TO $500
never to vote to elect two Regular Re
publlcans in event of a deal between
the Regular Republicans and Demo-
Gratis to that effect.
ON THE GROUND EARLY.
Representative Layton was on the
ground early. He and Clerk of the
Senate Cain sat and chatted for a few
minutes pending the arrival of the
committee, Representative Hearn and
the lawyers in the case. The Hall Of
Representatives began filling up before
z O'Clock, the time set for the hear
ing, and it was III before the exami
nation of witnesses was begun.
At the morning hearing Messrs.
Hayes and Cahall made a prstense of
not knowing whom they represented
until Representative Hearn made his
charges. 1t was a noticeable fact,
however, that one sat on each side Of
the accused man, and that Secretary of
State Layton and many relatives and
friends of Representative Layton were
grouped back of him awaiting the as
tonishing revelations which were
bound to come from the lips Of Rep
resentative Hearn.
Another significant fact in this con-
naction was that net only Messrs.
Hayes and Caha1l, but also Representa-
tive Layton, we're loaded with state
ments directly affecting Representative
Layton's relation with the scandal,
which they hoped Representative
Hearn would deny, and thereby pave
the way for them to impeach his credi-
bility. They had in hand what they al
legged Representative Hearn' had said to
Mrs Harry Ford Miss Carrie Ford, DR..
Kuhms, Representative Prettyman,
Former Representative Charles l..
Moore and Robert Blal1ely. and on
ross-examinaticn asked Representa-
tive Hearn if he had made the state
ment- With certain qualifications ne
frankly admitted that he had, but add
ed that he did IL to save Representa-
tive Layton from the consequences of
such a shameful exposure.
These frank admissions on his part
were a surprise to- the Layton side, for
they had been counting ON trapping
him into denials. But that was not to
be, and his straightforward answers
and manner carried conviction into the
minds Of many Of the spectators and
others
HOLCOMB SUPPRESSED DISORDER
CNi0ldlg VI oldlt Lay UCu anu OllltA
Union Republicans present at the
morning hearing manifested a dispo-
sition to indulge in noisy demonstra-
tions in Layton's favor Even Repre-
sentative Layton could not refrain from
joining in.
Chairman Holeomb, of the Bribery
Investigating Committee, had obtain
ed high legal advice as to the powers
OF the court over which he presided
and discovered that they were para
mount Hence. he quelled the disor-
der. and served notice on all present.
that the next person who indulged
in demonstrations of any kind would
be elected from the room, no matter
who il might be. He meant it; those
who heard it knew he meant it, and af-
ter that there was not the least d'scr-
der.
THE HEARING OPENS.
It was 7.1O o'clock last evening, when
Chairan Holcomb entered the Hall OF
Representatives By that time the
lobby aud chairs were well-hlled. He
stood ON the west side of the dias and
chatted with Speaker of the House
McCommons.
All the members Of the Legislature
who had remained in town ovm night
with one or two exceptions we're pres
ent
Robert Blakely, Democrat 6