New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20
BAILEY GIVES HIS SIDE.
REPLIES TO CHARGES.
Tells Texas Investigating Committee
Of Financial Operations.

Austin Tex Feb. Ex-senator Bailey testified
to-day before the legislative committee in reply
N charges preferred q gainst him by Representa-
tive Cooke. Senator Bailey reviewed his Hfe's
history from the time he came 10 Texas from
Mississippi in 1857. He began to practise law
and entered politics. He was elected to Con-
eress in 1890. and TO the United States Senate
in 1901
He said that he met Ex-Governor Francis in
1891 when Roger Q. Mills was candidate for
Speaker Of the House, lie cultivated the ac-
ouaintance Of Governor Francis and his asso-
ciates Of the Missouri delegation, hoping thereby
"a advance Mr.. Nills's interests.
Afr Bailey said he formed q close friendship
with Mr.. Francis and never passed through st.
Louis without stopping to see him.
In reply 70 the charge that he Bailey) had
been in q deal with a brother of Mr.. Francis
and other parties. Joseph sibley among them,
IN the Gibbs ranch transac ton. MI Bailey said
that he had first known Mr.. Sibley in 1892, and
that he was then. as he is now. clean ana
honorable man.
NJ. Bailey said he had no intention at first of
purchasing the ranch but that Mr.. Gibbs had
told him 2 bout the land and said he wanted TO
sell a quarter each 10 Governor Taylor Of
Tennessee. Senator Culberson, Of Texas. and to
himself O3auey), and keep quarter. He told
Mr.. Gibbs that only Senator Culberson was
financially able TO purchase the land. but at
NJ G3hbs's solicitation he went to look at the
land He said he then thought he might sell
the land for Mr.. Gibbs. who was anxious TO dis
pose # st or 1ligat get assistance in buying it
himself He said that he got an option on the
rroperty. and later closed the option, with the
understanding that the deal would not he coa-
su7nated until after his campaign for Senator
had closed.
BORROWED $1,000 TO PAY DEBTS
Later 1Tr. Francis transferred his Pecos Coun-
" land 10 Mr.. Gibbs, said Mr.. Bailey, and the
Gibbs property was transferred 10 Mr.. Francis,
who had furnished the greater part Of the pur-
chase price by putting in these lands. There
remained due 10 Mr.. Gibbs about $500. OF
which he paid $4,000, obtained from the Red
River National Bank of Gainesville. and the
remainder was paid TO Mr.. Gibbs out Of the sale
Of the crops. There was also q debt Of $4,000
on the cattle. and later he negotiated with the
help Of Mr.. Francis a loan of $1,000 from st.
Louis bank with which he paid debts Of $1,000
and $4,000, owed TO Texas banks.
Nj Bailey also told how ne had settled the
Indebtedness for the Gibbs ranch and cattle by
reading part Of his testimony at the investiga-
ton in 1901 He also explained how he had
paid the st. Louis debt by the sale Of cattle.
Mr.. Bailey explained that after II had been
charged that he had received the Pecos County
lands as q fee from the Waters-Pierce Oil Com
pany, he had determined 10 relieve Mr. Francis
q possible further embarrassment, so he per
suaded DIT. Gibbs 20 deed these lands back TO
Francis He said Francis neither made nor lost
By the deal. He said that he (Bailey) cleared
about $4,000, and would have made more could
he have held the land. but not having the
money and the political differences arising he
preferred 70 sell
ATr. Francis never discussed any legislation
with him. AIr. Bailey said. sought his aid
for any measure except the Worlds Fair ap-
preparation. He had never known Of any legis-
lation in which Francis was interested directly
or indirectly except a good citizen or Demo-
Crar. He said Mr.. Francis had never men
toned H. c. Pierce TO him except through the
letter OF Introduction.
He said Francis and a man named Cobbs mad
asked his support for the Worlds Fair appro-
rriation, and he told them they were wasting
breath as he was unalteraby opposed TO appro-
pr3ating public money for any such purpose de
said he thought he had been paired when the
proposition for the 100000 came up. When
the proposition came up the second time he was
IN the Senate and he had resisted IL and almost
defeated It. offending his St. Louis friends. who
had thought he would support il because Of a
provision relative TO shipment Of cattle which
had been made = part Of the bill.