The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1910-05-01
SLUSH FUND.
STORY NOT
TRUE SAY
LEADERS
Sensational Confession of Illinois
Lawmaker Repudiated By His
Former Colleagues.
DEMOCRATS SAY WHITE
WANTED HUSH MONEY
When Demands Refused Politicians
Say Representative Gave His
Story to Chicago Press.

CHICAGO. April 3o.-Representa-
tive Charles A. Whites sensational
story that he received $1,000 TO cast
his vote for William Lorimer OF the
United States senate and that he
(Wbite) also accepted $500 RS his
share OF an alleged legislative "slush
fund" met with general denials to-
day.
Lee O'Neill Browne OF Ottawa.
Democratic leader at Springfield. ar
rived here today, as did Senator Lori
me. both denying the use of bribes
iD the most emphatic manner
Mr.. Browne. alleged by White to
have been the distributor OF the Lori
mer money declared that White had
rushed into print because he had
failed in an attempt to use his story
TO secure hush money"
Robert Il. Wilson, a Democratic
representative from Chicago. declared
by White to have doled out the Jack
pot" at St Louis, joined In the
chorus of denials. Browne admits
having been at St Louis at the time
White alleges the Jack pot was
distributed. but declares the Demo
Gratis who had assembled there were
partisans of Brownies. who wished to
arrange q banquet for him at his
homo town. Browne, according to
himself, frowned on the enterprise
OF h!s partisans, and tho banquet was
called OF.
Anticipated Abuse.
According TO Browne, White was
formerly street car conductor at
East ST Louis and later appeared at
Springfield as lobbyist In favor ~
labor bills. Then he was elected to
the lower house.
White. IN his charges stated that
the public might expect TO hear him
called blackmailer. but that he WAS
prepared for that, he was willing to
suffer ignominy In order to expose
corruption. which. he declared exists
at Springfield.
In the course OF an interview to.
day Mr.. Browne said:
'SSln,c became acquainted with
White at the last session of the legis-
lature he appealed 10 me several
times for loans. saying he was in
debt, hard up. etc On three or four
occasions | let him have $50 or so.
for which / hold his notes.
Tells Of Threats.
Finally this borrowing habit Of his
became too common and / wrote him
letter. advising him to go TO work
and earn a living like other people;
even secured a position for him but
IL paid only SIS and he refused to
take IT. Then coolness sprang up.
Tho next thing TO come from him
WAS a remarkable letter. 1t ran this
way:
L have written 4 full story OF my
experiences at Springfield at tho leg
islature. Those who have seen 1t de-
clare that 1t Is the best story that
the world has seen. I wrote It for
publication have nsed your namo
In II with deep regret, for ] cannot
also have told Senator Lorimer about
IT,
Brownies Docieion.
"He did not ask for money" con.
tnued Mr. Browne. "but the intima-
ton was as plain as If II had been In
scareheads that unless money was
paid the story would he pusllsbed. IL
was my intlmation that he had scone
into the publishing business. look
ed Mt the situation from every angle
and at last concluded there was .fout
one thing to do-to ignore tho letter
and It's writer"
White was interviewed by the dis
trict attorney today. but the nature Of
the talk was not divulged.