The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-17
Interest in Senatorial Fight is
 at Fever Heat
SUCCESSOR TO COCKRELL.
New Phase is Added By Testimony of a Representative That Two At
 tempts Have Been Made 4
 to Brlhe Him. g

St. Louis January 16.-1nterest in the senatorial situation is at fever heat to- night, both in St. Louis and Jefferson legislature for a successor to United States Senator Francis M. Coclxrell.
 The recent investigation here by the two legislative committees into the In the resolution of Represen- tative Grace that local brewers had con- tributed largely to the state campaign fund, in violation of the corrupt prac- tices act. followed by the story of din- ner held at the home of R. G. Kerens on Saturday night at which 1t was al- legged plans were formulated to defeat Senator Thomas K. Niedringhaus, the caucus nominee, and to strengthen the forces of Kerens, who was one of the candidates defeated in the caucus. has stirred the political Armament in Mis- souri to 6 vast extent.
 The senate Investigating committee continued taking testimony today at Jeff ferson City regarding the campaign fund contribution and Representative Cook of Howell county testified that an attempt had been made to buy his caucus vote, adding new phase to the already com plicated senatorial situation.
 Tried to Buy Him.
 Representative Cook, who said he voted in the caucus for R. c. Kerens, testified today that two attempts were made to purchase his vote for Mr. Niedringhaus. He danIarad thot IIaI1anbaots of NVaet Plains had made the advances to him saying he came direct from the head quarters of the republican state com mittee In St. Louis, where he had talked with Mir. Niedrlnghaus, the chairman.
 In the interview today Mir. Niedring haus denied that either Hallenback or any other person had any authority to make representations on his part, and said further:
 T made no promises or pledges of any kind to anybody, either before or after the senatorial caucus"
 MT. Kerens said tonight to the Associ- ated Press that he did not wish to be- interviewed concerning the senatorial contest at Jefferson City in any manner. MT. Kerens, however, declared 1t to be his purpose to make a statement over his signature, as had been his custom from 
 the legislature and during his senatorial campaign, and also since the caucus, so that his position may not be misrepre- sented or misunderstood.
 "The statement I propose to make will not be forthcoming for some days, he said.
 kerns Explains.
 With respect to entertainments at his home, MT. Kerens said that 1t was his privilege to have these and to entertain whom and whenever he pleased.
 "A mans home Is his oastle'' he said, whether 1t be log cobin or a palace"
 MT. Kerens said:
 "I have kept open house ever since I have lived in St. Louis, now nearly thirty years. Friends are always welcome and. I am glad to say, visit me in goodly num- bers at all times and this should not be a subject for publication
 Cook Makes Confession.
 Immediately upon converting here today, as an adjourned session from St. Louis. the committee appointed by the Senate to investigate state campaign fund contri- buttons and determine their source, re- sumed the hearing of testimony and elicited from Representative Cook of West Plains, Powell county, that he had been approached twice with offers to buy his caucus vote providing he cast 1t for Thomas Niedringhaus. lie declared the propositions were made to him by M. Morrow. a personal friend and represent ing A. F. Hallenbeck, postmaster al West Plains. His testimony was substantially as follows
 "M k. Morrow and A. r. Hallenbeck. the latter prominent at West Plains, called on mo at West Plains. and Halleh- bank aakad hnxu I ctOOd the qPnafQriai question and intimated that l was a lover of money, and if I would vote for Med ringhaus he would see that l was taken care of. He said he had just returned from St. Louis, where he had talk with Med ringhaus. Morrow told me that Grant Gillespie had given up his position at Washington and the Niedringhaus people were preparing papers for his successor.
 "On the day of the caucus Hallenbeck, Morrow and Bill Smith came to me again on the senatorial matter. Hallenbeck called Morrow twenty feet from him and they had a talk. In the presence of Black, Morrow told me if l would deliver my vote to Niedrlnghaus that there would be some good money for me. He said the papers for the place were ready to be signed if he delivered my vote to Med ringhaus. Morrow said 1t would be a good job for him. Hallenbeck said, You are a lover of money and l will see that you are taken care Of I took 1t that 1t was cash proposition. Morrow has been my attorney and a good friend and they wanted a pension job for him. I cast my vote for R. C. Kerens."
 Morrow Denies Statement.
 It was announced that Hallenbeck. Smith and Black will be subpoenaed be- fort the committee. Morrow appeared be- fore the committee tonight and denied having heard the statement of Hallenbeck to Cook as attributed by Cook to have been made.
 Alexander Niedringhaus. brother of Thomas K. Niedringhaus. was another witness heard at tonight's session. He testified that the costs of the senatorial campaign of his brother. which he had helped manager. amounted to between 5000 and 5000.
 c. D. Morris was the final witness to- night. but no important testimony was elicited from him.
 The Senate comittee tonight made partial report of it's findings to the effect that Niedringhaus did not contribute to the campaign fund the full sum of s21,- 2s7 51 accredited to him; that he did ndt
 lcoIntInued on Eighth Pags.l