Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-17

Hilltee- 1ney caucuSeu, tonight, TO
agree on thoir report.
The partial report to the Senate from
its committee, which fas been investi
eating the charge that AdOlphuS Busch
and Otto Stifel, st. Louis brewers, had
contributed largely to the Missouri
campaign fund to influence state legis-
alton ana that these contributions had
be"n turned i'll by Niedringhaus as an
item of 81 ,.331.31 contributed by him
self is signed by all members of the
committee Including two Republican
senators. 1t finds in substance:
That Ni"dringhauS was chairman and
acting treasurer of the Republican state
campaign committee of Missouri III the
campaign of 1904 and that he kept no
separate bank account of the funds re-
ccivcd by him, but deposited the same
in his personal account in the National
Bank Of Commerce in st. Louis.
That NicdrinShauS, in his official YER
fled statement of II ceiptS ana EXPENSES
of his committee, entered among tn"
receipts an item of 81 .237.ll. accred-
tied to himself: that as treasurer of the
campaign committee. he did not file q
REQUIRED by law; that $500 Of the Sol,
237.11 was contributed by the Ann
heuser Busch Brewing Association I'M
cunditionally and later $1,000 by Adolf
phuS Busch with the understanding
that said sums We're to be refunded II
the amounts could be procured later
from the Republican national commit
tee: that for the repayment of the sums
Niedringhaus was in noWlse PERSONAL
ly lilble; that no mention OF these
sums in detail is made in NicdringhauS
verified statement
The committee finds that otto F.
StifeI agreed 10 pay Nirhrnghau~. on
demand. $500. ana thi- l!i' ..''H was ad-
vanccd by NieIrmghu"e rs acting
treasurer bat ne failc.i t. show that
fact in his statement Of 'Hm"aign re-
cciptS and thac no dire, { ovid nee has
been offered to show tn; the contri-
buttons to the iienIh);, II state cam
Iaign fund by Adciphus Busch. the
Annheusnr Busch Brewing Association
or otto +. Stif.'l were for the purpose
nf in,lut ncing or affecting legislation III
;h,. Missouri General Assembly.
During today's session of the commit
toe REPRESENTATIVE cook of Howell
county. testified that an attempt had
been made to buy his caucus Vote for
Nj. dril. ghauS.
REPRESENTATIVE Cook. said he voted il
the caucus for <. -. kercns. He de- lar
Ell that Postmaster Hallenhcck of West
Plains. bad maie the advances to him
saving hr camo direct frIE, the head
quarters Of the Republican state com
I ,,, h.ll al
ed with Mr.. Nielringhaus. state chair
man.
Niedrinshaus. today. denied that
either Hallenbecil or any other persons
had authority 70 MAXI any representa-
tions on his part and said further:
II made no promises or pledges OF
any kind to aHyh, dy. either befor" o.
after tn" senatorial caicus.
r. G. KerenS tonight. said that he
l6 not wish to be interviewed at pres
cnt concerning the senatorial contest
at jefferson city.
Interest III the senatorial situation is
at fever heat. tonight if all Missouri,
rs balloting in the Legislature for
successor to senator Cockrcll is
scheduled for Tuesday.
Thomas r. NirdrnCEaus. accom-
rancd BY his Wife ana brother. Alex
andcr arrived herr from st. Louis. this
afternoon IN regard to the testimony
Of Representative Cook. Mr.. Ncdrihg
hauS said h" knew nothing of any
proposition "manating from the post
master at West Plains.
THE postmaster i'll question had
nothing to dc with my campaign. di-
rectly or indirectly and certainly he had
no authority to make any representa-
tons Oh my behalf. d in behalf Of any
one acting for me-" said Mr.. Niedring
haus. II made no promises or pledges
of any kind to anybody. either before
or after thu senatorial caucus. If any
Republican can afford To holt the ac-
ton of the caucus. then can afford to
lose the senatorship."