The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-04
STEPHENS TEST|F|ES
BEFORE GRAND JURY,
Former Governor Declares Ed But
Ter Was Willing to Pay $4,000
if Son Was Appointed
TO BE EXCISE COMMISSIONER.
Said Street Railway Representa-
tive Was Anxious to Tender
to Him Block of Stock
After Bill Became
q Law.

Former Governor Lon V Stephens was
| before the Grand Jury yesterday for an
hour and half. Before entering the jury
room ne said that Ell Butler had offered to
give him $1,000 If he would appoint his son.
James Butler. Excise Commissioner.
The former Governor also said that after
he had signed the Transit bill representa-
tive of the street railway syndicate came to
him and offered to put him in on the ground
floor in the purchase OF stock. which would
make for him from $500 to s109ocI.
Butler was not appointed Excise Commits
sioner. To Charles P Higgins was given
the best plum within the gift OF the States
chief executive.
Governor Stephens declared that he did
not take advantage of the chance to clear
5000 10 s.el.tC9 on Transit stock b. pur-
chasing a block al the time. and that his
relatives or business associates were not
gwen the opportunity.
The attempted bribery in the excise COM
missionersh!p matter was made. 1t is said,
in Hot Springs. Ark. Butler is said to have
visited the health resort soon after
Stephens's election and before his Inaugural
ton.
WILLING TO PAY $4,000.
Without mincing words, Butler is reported
to have told tie Governor that he was WILL
ing to pay s2o.01s to have his son. James
Butler. named as Excise Commissioner.
y declined to discuss the matter with him
at all" Governor Stephens IS said to have
told the Circuit Attorney.
Not long after his Inauguration Governor
Stephens appointed Charles P. Higgins to
the Office. which is regarded as OF so much
value that one man would wish to pay an
amount OF money equal to the salary OF
~ for To
for his son.
Governor Stephens sat In the executive
chair when the Transit bill passed the
House II came to him for his action.
He said yesterday that at first he was
unwilling TO sign the bill. believing It would
be 4 violation OF the law. Governor
Stephens investigated and found that bua-
ness corporations were not permitted to
capitalize in Missouri for more than 80.
0VU.u0u-
In few days, however. tho Supreme
Court, in quo warranto proceedings, decided
that st-eet-railway companies are the same
as steam-railroad companies and exempt
from the law prohibiting a capitalization Of
more than Sl0,e0,000
This made 1t clear to him that the Tran
sit Company was legally organized, but hs
was not yet ready 10 sign the bill
He declared yesterday. so report has IL
that Judge Williams Of Boonyiile cana to
him anG spoke IN favor OF the measure
He stated that Judge Williams pointed out
the advantage TO be obtained by the adop-
ton of the transfer system and that the
laborinG classes would be benefited 1t was
after this conference with Judge williams
he says. that he signed the bill. Louis C,
Nelson, he says, opposed the bill.
ANOTHER OFFER MADE.
h. Il
ernor stephens says a Transit Company
representative came to him and said:
Now, Governor, We wish to show our
appreciation of the way you have treated
US. Now that the bill Is signed and you
have acted SO honorably. 1 am In q posi-
ton to put you in on the ground floor where
you can buy Transit stock at a price that
will soon net you a profit Of $50,0OO to 3l0o.-
Co."
Governor stephens, 1t Is said, informed
the street-railway representative that under
the circumstances he could not accept his
o1er and that no transit stock ever has
come into MS possession
interesting developments are expected
from the statements OF Governor Stephens
II IS understood at the -FOUR Courts that his
talk with the Circuit Attorney yesterday
is only the beginning of line of InvestiSa-
tion taken up by Mr.. Folk. which will re-
suit in many big Doodle transactions COM
ing to light
FORMER Senator r D. Lancaster was the
only other witness before the Grand Jury
yesterday. II Will not be known for several
days on what line he was questioned. but
it is understood ne made no very startling
disclosures regarding Doodle deals in the
Senate while ne was a member OF that
Circuit Attorney Folk talked with Sena-
tor John p. Collins yesterday afternoon. II
is believed that Collins claimed to know
nothing OF the deals about which he was
questioned.