Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-16
Conducted by Committee
on Campaign Funds.
Niedringhaus Tells How The
Cash Came In.
Missouri's Republican Senator Repudi.
ates Allegations.

man Of the state Republican commit
tee and caucus nominee for United
States senator. had accepted s2l,0oO
from St Louis brewers 20 influence leg-
islation. Mr.. Niedringhaus denied That
he made the contribution mentioned in
the Grace resolution or that any per-
son had done SO for him. He also de-
MED that the figures. s21 COS, appeared
in the statement filed with the recorder
OF deeds by the state Republican COM
mittee showing the campaign contribu-
tions.
Mr.. Niedringhaus stated that Re con-
tributed $500 to the campaign fund:
then on being asked if he had any
statement to make to the committee in
reference to the contribution of s2lOOG.
Mr.. Niedringhaus, still under oath.
made a voluntary statement denying
all charges and explaining how a def
ciency of s31 900 was reduced to :2i, 900
by collections and that the latter
amount was taken care of in accor-
dance with the agreement between him,
Busch and Stfel.
Mr.. Niedringhaus stated to the COM
mittee that he did not consider the
s25, 900 pledged by Busch. Stifel ana him
in the light Of \ contribution to the
state campaign fund. as, had the money
been later secured from other sources,
it would have been refunded to them.
Mr.. Niedringhaus also stated that if
the Republicans had failed to carry
Missouri for Roosevelt AMI Fairbanks,
he would have heen personally respon-
sible for half the sum subscribed.
Adolphus Busch and Otto F. Stifel
millionaire brewers. told the House
committee practically the same story
as that told. Friday night. by Mr.. Med
rirghaus They said, as he had done
that their contribution was guaran-
tee to meet a deficit and entailed no
promise Of favors for their business.
Mr. Niedringhaus then appeared before
the committee and asked to be permit
tel to make n voluntary statement.
He said Col r. c. Kerens. after the
election, offered to pay one-third CT the
committees lefct. Before the election.
he said. Col. kerens and William IL.
Thompson had expressed a readiness to
stand their share of the expense. Mr..
Niedringhaus said he made this state
lnent in Justice to Col. KerenS and
friends
Thomas X Niedrnghsus was the
first witness. Saturday. before the SEN
ate committee. His direct testimony
was on the whole the same as he gave
before the House committee, Friday
night.
Most of the questioning was done by
Senator McDavid.
did you make an affidavit that you
have made a contribution Of $2l,OOO?"
he was asked.
Eyes, sir" he answered.
Did you. in fact. contribute that
amount. or part with that much mon
ey?"
Il consider that I have parted with
that money from my own account"
He explained that he kept all state
campaign funds credited 20 his person.
III account at the national bank Of
Commerce and that he kept no separ-
ate account as acting treasurer of tho
state committee. Whatever was paid
out came from his personal account.
When Adolphus Busch gave. he said.
1t was deposited in that way.
Questioned about the 500 which he adj
mitted was given by Mr.. Busch before the
meeting at the Busch residence at which
arrangements for a guarantee fund We're
given as a guarantee. but was afterward
applied on the guarantee fund. He ad-
mitted that the check for $50 was not en-
tered on the books.
Mr.. Niedringhaus said that r. C. Ksrens
had written him after the election making
inquiry about the deficit. but he had no.
answered the letter. He was asked why
he preferred the contribution of Busch to
that of Kerens. and said he did not con-
slider it contribution.
The witness explained that he did not
reply to the letter of kerens because he
thought the national committee would re
imburse Busch, Stifel and himself. and it
would not be necessary. He suggested
that what was meant by the credit Of a
contribution of $1,000 to himself in the
report was that the contribution was
made by him as trustee.
He said that Otto Stifel had not paid
his share Of the guarantee yet, as there
had been no settlement. When Mr.. Med
ringhaus was asked If he had in fact con-
trituted anything to the campaign fund
he said he had contributed four months
Of his time and was the only one around
headquarters who had not received a sal
ary
He denied that he had made promises
to anybody IN return Tor contributions OF
pledges to the brewers
When Mr.. Niedringhaus was excused
the committee went into executive SEES
sion. Adolphus Busch later took the
stand. He said the fund was guaran
tee and it was expected that halt of i
would be paid back if the state was los
to tire Republicans and all of it if th'
national committee had any money lef
over. He said that the first check fol
$500 was sent by his brewing association
and not by himself personally.
Thomas ]. Atkins. national committee
man, denied that he had promised fed
eral jobs in return for votes for Med
ringhaus for United States senator.
Judge Bert d. Norton was asked if h,
knew Of any combination of members o
the Assembly to refuse to vote for Keren
II he was the caucus nominee. He sal,
he did not. but he had heard Speaker Hill
of the House say month before tina
he would not vote for him. recess wa
then taken.
THEY WILL BOLT.