The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-03-02
SAYS 500 WAS BRIBE.
Indiana Legislator Flourishes Bill and
Denounces the Tobacco Trust.

envelope before the eyes or MS aston
isned colleagues and shouted that it
contained bribe given him by the
tobacco trust 10 vote against the anti
cigarette bill. Amid silence he tore
open the envelope and held UP a 800
bill
This drastic episode was followed
by swift action. The members within
ten minutes had passed the bill by
vote of "a to IL An investigation
committee was at once formed, and
got into action with such celebrity that
an affidavid was issued for the arrest
of 0. A. Baker of Mar:on, former
state senator and now . tobacco trust
lobbyist, charging him with attempt
ing to corrupt Representative Baker
1t was during roll czll on the pas
sage of the bill that Baker threw his
bomb. AS his name was called he
rose and, pointing an accusing finger
at the space behind the seats where
the lobbyists congregate during ses-
sions, said with solemnity that cor
ruption was practiced- The represen-
tatives looked up from their desks at
breast pocket and took out an en-
velope
Here is the proofl" he shouted
Open it! Open it!' shouted
score of voices.
"Yes, let us open it." said Baker
distinctly. Let us open it and see
what the trust says. may be the re-
cipient of $4,000"
Members left their desks in excite
ment and crowded near the center
of action as Baker calmly tore open
the flap. He inserted his hand and
drew out bill which he waved slow,
1y in the air.
Gentlemen, I'm sorry" he said,
1T is just $4,000 shy of that $4,000
1t is 500 bill. l do not want the
money. / will turn it over to the
speaker. 1t was given nc by an agent
Of the tobacco trust"
AT this juncture the speaker raped
his gavel, announcing that Bakers
time had elapsed. Personal privi-
lege, let him speak," clamored the
lawmakers, and Baker resumed, speak
ing with deliberation
4 am in tight place here he
said, Il saw only yesterday similar
envelope offered another member OF
the house We must stand pat against
bribery in this house. / wanted to
open the envelope before the house
In order to make public the crooked
ness that is going on. | wanted TO be
sure that it was not full of old rags
Who gave it to your? shouted a
representative.
"I shall not divulge that" respond
ed Baker. Il said it was sent to me
by the tobacco trust. The letter was
given me yesterday while / was writ
ing in the parlor of the English Hotel.
Is that not enOugh!
Several speakers who followed Sc
verely criticised Baker, but scores OF
shook his hand. The bill was put on
roll call again and passed by an
overwhelming majority.
At noon the Judiciary committee
conferred with Speaker Cantwell and
Attorney-General Miller. A resolu-
ton was drawn up, and Immediately
after the house resumed its session
in the afternoon committee was
appointed TO investigate. 1t consisted
of Wilson. of Jasper, Stansbury. of
Warren, Mountze, of De Kalb, Bate
man, of Monroe and Honan, of Jack
son.
The inquisitors at once went into
secret session and called epresenta-
tive Baker before the tribunal. He re-
fused to divulge the name of his bri-
Der.
After he had been warned that ex-
pulsion would follow if he did not
"make good" ne said the envelope had
been passed to him by former State
Senator O. A. Baker. Preceding the
delivery, ne said, he had had several
conferences with the lobbyist in order
to draw him out. A warrant was is
sued, and detectives have gone IN
search of the accused man.
The testimony of the accuser was
abrupt and to the point: There was
ne equivocating, no lodging.
"I have known 0. A. Baker for ten
years. said he 81 saw him in Indi-
annapolis three weeks ago, and he be-
gan to talk to me about the anti-cigar,
-ette bill. ] met him at hotel Sun
day evening and talked of the bill
Baker says to me, / should like
to say something to you If it would
not offend YOU You may say what
you want, / said, and whatever you
say will be treated as confidence
I shall keep your name to myself
IF you help defeat this bill there
is something in it for YOU says O. A
Baker, to which replied, We'll, sir
If it will not offend you. do not want
to take any mans word for thing oi
this kind
Baker coughed and looked around
and said: Il will make my word good
Monday"
The narrative then took TIP the en-
suing days. Representative Baker
said he went to keep the tryst at the
hotel, but got "cold feet and hurried
away. his conscience troubling him
On Tuesday he again met the lobby
ist, who, he said, asked to talk with
him in the privacy of his room.
1--WE went to the room," said The
accuser, "and he handed me the en-
velope. 1t was sealed, and l did no.
know that there was money in it, bu
/ suspected there was Then l open
ed the door and we went down or
che elevator together / have no
seen him since"
Baker then admitted that he peek
ed" into the envelope and assuret
himself that it contained money be
fore he decided to make his coup II
the house.
The comm ;ttee meets again today