The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-04-01
Cross-Examination Of Senator
Bilbo Was. Feature Of To-
days Proceedings.
BILBO NAMES MANY
IMPORTANT WITNESSES
Says Judge Wiley Potter, Ben. r.
Ward, Jr., r. p. Barr and Others
Were Present when Arrangements
for Setting Trap Were Made.
Special to The Nea1s.

| Special to The Nea1s.
Jackson, Miss, April 1.-The fea-
ture of the day in the Bilbo-Dulaney
bribery case was the cross examina-
tion of Senator BilbO by Messrs An
derson and Leftwich, counsel for the
senate. The morning assembly was
thirty minutes or more behind the
appointed hour, majority of the
members being tardy as result of
the long session last night.
Lieutenant Governor Luther Manship
returned home this morning from a
three days lecture trip and took the
chair, replacing the president pro
TEN, Senator Hebron. -
Several of the anti-Vardaman mem.
bers have insisted that Lieutenant
Governor Manship remain in the chair
as much as possible until the investi-
cation is concluded, frankly declaring
that Senator Hebron is an intense
partisan. Last night the president
pro tenn had lively clashes with Sena-
tors McLaurin and East over the al
legged affair rulings.
More subpoenass We're served dur
ing the early morning hour, and there
was large assembly of witnesses in
the senate corridor at the opening
hour, with little prospect of any of
them being placed on the stand dur
legged unfair rulings.
Senator Bilbo was asked again to
name the parties who were present
in Vardaman headquarters ON the
night the plan was formed to trap
Dulaney into giving a bribe, Bilbo to
act as detective and prove that cor
ruption was being used by the Percy
faction. The witness named Judge
Wiley Potter, Ben. F. Ward, Jr., T.
p Barr, and several others. Senator
Leftwick then asked him if ex-Gov-
ernor Vardaman was one of those
present, and he said that he couldn't
remember.
Senator Leftwick then put the wit
nesses through severe gruelling, de-
manding to know how he could re-
member all other details so vividly
and call other names so promptly
but could not remember whether Gar
daman was present. Bilbo stated
that he couldn't explain it, that he
simply could not say whether or not
Vardaman was present.
Senator 'Bilbo was put through a
gruellirg cross-examination He said
it had been arranged to give the
bribe at house of questionable
repute, in a certain part of Jackson.
Senator Leftwitch asked him if he
was in the habit of frequenting such
places. He said he was not. Sena-
tor Leftwitch then asked how he ex-
pected DR.. Culpepper to meet him
there. To this he did not reply.
Senator Bilbo was cool and collected
throughout, and held his temper well.
vardaman on Grounds.
Ex-Gov, Vardaman returned Thurs
day afternoon from a lecture tour
through the northern part of the
state. He is apparently taking no
active part in any of the pending pro-
ceedings. although he was in confer
ence at his residence last night with
some of his political advisers.
The former Governor is maintain
ing his determination not to discuss
any phase of the pending troubles.
Thus far he has not been summoned
to appear before the grand jury, men,
bers of that body having decided not
to summon any of the senatorial can
didates, or to hear testimony from
them unless it is voluntarily given.
"If any person knows facts concern
ing the senatorial contest that ought
to be In possession Of this body, he is
invited to come forward and give
them. without waiting for a subpoena
said Foreman J. c. Cavett last night. |
The grand jury has taken recess
until Tuesday. just before adjonrn-
naent the proposal to indict Senator
Bilbo under section 1879 Of the code.
which makes the bribe-giver and the
equally guilty, was again
brought up, but majoritr q the