The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-28
Representative Knisely, of De-
kaIb County, Swears His
Statement of Saturday
Is True.
RESOLUTION FOR SPECIAL
GRAND JURY PROBE.
Measure in House This After
noon-Tells of Manner in
Which He Was Asked to
Vote for Option.

indianapolis. Sept 2S.-Representa-
tive Luther Knisely of Dekalb county,
who in explaining his vote against
the county local option bill Saturday
morning in the house of representa-
tives, declared that Governor Hanly
had offered him a $4,000 job to vote
for the bill. today signed an affidavit,
in which he related the manner of the
alleged offer. This affidavit was plac.
ed in the hands OF Stokes jackson,
chairman OF the state democratic com.
mittee. 1t is to be used in the present
state campaign.
AT the opening of the house session
this afternoon. Thomas Honan, min.
ority floor leader, offered resolution
calling for a grand jury investigation
of the charges contained in Knisely's
affidavit. 1t requests thorough In
vestigation regardless OF whom the
charges may effect to the end. II the
evidence warrant indictments be re-
turned. He advocates the proper pun
ishment of any and all offenders.
knIseIy a Farmer.
Knisely is a farmer, living near But.
Ter. Dekalb county. This is his first
term in the legislature and he is not
a candidate for reelection. His repu-
tation has been good. During the reg
ular session he displayed very little
activity other than to vote on the
measures as they came up.
In his affidavit, Knisley goes in to
details as to the manner OF the alleg.
ed offer. He relates that Senator
Wickwire, republican. representing
the counties of Dekalb and Steuben.
came to him about twenty minutes
before the Saturday session opened,
and took him to the lobby of the SEN
ate. There. he says. wickwire told
him he could have position paying
from 500 and expenses, up to more
than $4,000 according to his own abil-
ity. II he would vote for the bill.
When he questioned wickwire's au.
thority. he says, Wickwire asked him
IL he would accept higher authority.
He said he would consider the matter,
he says. He went back to the house.
he says, and a few minutes later Wick.
wire came to him and took him to the
Governors office.
They entered. he says by the private
entrance, not going through the pub
lie reception room. Wickwire left him
at the door, he says, and he was alone
with the governor several minutes.
The governor told him, he says, in
his affidavit, IL he should vote for the
bill, he would be well taken care of.
He said to the Governor: IF you were
in my chair and I in yours, what
would you do?"
In answer he says, the governor
said, Il should certainly accept"
HanIy Refuses to Talk.
Today Governor Hanly declined to
discuss the matter Senator Wick
wire however. made the following
statement.
In the public press notice the
published statement said to have been
made by Representative Knisely OF
DeKalb county. In regard to SO much
% said statement as fmputes to me.
the offer Of any position or reward to
influence his vote upon the county To-
cal option bill or any bill. / say It 10
unfounded In fact untrue and mali
cious"
In the afternoon session OF the
house was delayed by the failure of
the ways and means COMMITTEES to
have ready this report on the senate
appropriation bills and the night rider
| bills. Representative Tieb. of Spen-
Ger county, the biggest tobacco grow
| ing county in the state and L. l..
Brown. attorney charged by Lieb with
being a representative of the tobacco
| trust, appeared before the committee.
Lieb protested against the appropri.
alton of money for secret service men,
saying no depredations had been com.
| mitted or would be and that II was a
slander on the name of the county, to
| take such action.
Lobbies for the prohibition resoIu-
| lions. now dying In the senate COM
mitfee, began arriving at the capitol
today. Governor Hanly announced to-
day that he would enter the state
campaign. under the direction Of the
state organization. Democrats In the
house denying any intention TO fiIbus-
ter. declared they would not help to
| hasten action on the remaining bills
In order to obtain an early adjourp-