The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-18
DID BEER BUY IT..
No Direct Evidence A.
gainst Niedringhaus of
Political Corruption.
(By the Associated Press.)

BY the Associated Press
Jefferson City, Mo-, Jan. 16.-Thos.
h. Neidringhaus, Republican caucus
nominee for United States Senator TO
succeed Francis NJ Cockrell and Re-
publican State Chairman, did not file
q complete statement of receipts of his
committee in the recent campaign as
required by law, but no dirct evidence
! has been offered to show that contri-
buttons to the Republican State cam
paign fund by st. Louis brewers were
for the purpose of influencing legis-
ation" according TO a partial report of
the Senate investigating committee
made tonight.
The committee says it is not ready
to report on Federal patronage and
It's influence in the Senatorial contest,
and ii asks for more time 10 investi-
gate.
The partial report to the Senate
from its ommittee, which has been in
vestigating the charge that Adolphus
Busch ana Otto Stfel, st. louis brew
crs, had contributed largely TO the
Missouri campaign fund 10 influence
/ State legislation and That these con-
tTibutions had been turned in by Neid-
ringhaus as an item of 2,23l.51 con-
tributed by himself. and signed by all
; members of the committee including
two Republican Senators. 1t finds in
substance:
That the Hon. Thomas X Niedring-
haus was chairman and acting treas
ure rof the Republican State campaign
committee of the Stale of Missouri in
the campaign of 1904 and that he
kept no separate bank account of the
funds received, but deposited the same
10 his individual credit and in his per-
sonal account in the National Bank OF
Commerce in ST. Louis.
That Niedr.nghaus in his official
verified Statement of receipts and ex-
penses of his committee ntered among
| tn rceints an tim of SCI, 23I51 accred-
| tied to himself; that Niedringhaus. IS
| treasurer of the Republican campaign
! committee, did not file Il complies
! statement of receipts of his commit
| tee in said State campaign as required
| by law; that $2,500 of the $21
was contributed by the Anheuser-
| Busch Associat. on Internationally and
| later So 900 by Adolphus Busch, with
! the understanding that said sums were
! to be refunded il the amounts could
| be procured later from the Republic
| can National Committee; that for the
| repayment of these sums Niedring
! hauSwas in no wise personally liable;
! that no mention of these sums in detail
! is made in Niedringhaus' certified state
ment.
| The committee finds that Otto r.
Stife agreed to pay Niedringhaus on
demand $3.50, and this money vas
/ advanced by Niedringhaus as acting
| treasurer but he failed to show that
! fact i'm his statement Of receipts; that
no direct evidence has been offred to
| show that tn contr. buttons to the Re-
! publican State campaig fund by Adolf
plus Busch. the Anheuser- Busch
| Brewing Association or otto f. Stifel
were for the purpose of influencing or
affecting legislation in the Missouri
General Assembly
During today's session of the Senate
committee, Representative Cook. of
Howell county, testified that an at
tempt had been made 10 buy his eau
Gus vote for Niedringhaus.
A Dime ris said to have been held
al the home of r. c. kerens on Satur-
day night, at which it was alleged
plans were formulated TO deefat Med
L nghaus and to strengthen the forces
OF kerns, who was Niedrnghaus near
est competitor
Interest in the Senatorial situation,
therefore, is at fever heat tonight IN
all Missouri, as balloting in the Legls-
lature for a successor to Senator Cock
rell is scheduled for Tuesday.