Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-02
Associated Press1

~ PRINGFIELD, H., June Estates
Attorney Burke is to confer with
~ Governor Deneen tomorrow re-
garding the various charges of bribery
that have been made concerning the
10th general assembly.
The county prosecutor will give
Governor Deneen an opportunity to tell
what he knows about the doings of the
general assembly and will invite him
to tell the grand jury whatever he
wishes, bearing on the investigation.
The action Of the states attorney,
which was announced in the evening in
response to the published declaration
of Governor Deneen that he would be
willing to go before either the Cook or
Sangamon grand jury, and tell what
he knows of the occurrences in the
last regular legislative session.
In appearing before a grand jury
the governor would waive the privilege
of his office which exempts him from
summons
NO CONFESSION
During the day counsel for State
Senator Broderick repeatedly denied
rurnors that the senator was contem-
plating a visit to States Attorney
Burke to confess.
Representative H J. Beckmeyer.
hitherto a witness before the Cook
county grand jury exclusively, will be
in the capital tomorrow to tell his
story to the Sangamon county inves-
tigators. it was announced by States
Attorney Burke today.
BeckmeYer, so far as known, has
corrobOrated the confession of Repre-
sentative C. A. White.
The only witness to appear before
the jurors today was A. b. Johnston,
of the Johnston Hatcher company, tho
Springfield concern that obtained the
contract for supplying new desks and
chairs for the state house
Johnston, who has repeatedly denied
culpability in the furniture contract,
although accused by Senator Holstlaw,
emphatically repeated his denial in the
jury room and denounced Holstlaw as
guilty of falsehood.
SAYS LIAR" OFTEN
He used the word liar" freely and
after declaring that Attorney Burke
had had conferences with one of his
(JohnstOn's) business competitors, was
ordered out of the jury room by the
states attorney, who angrily retorted,
"if you say that, you are lying, too"
Investigation of Legislative doings in
connection with the bill regulating fish
ing was scheduled for tomorrow. Rep
resentative A. M. Foster of Rushville,
chairman Of the fish and game COM
mittee, is subpoenaed to appear be-
fore the grand jury, as is Nat Cohen,
state fish commissioner.
Representative Beckmeyer was a.
member of the fish and game commit
tee and also is expected to be ques-
toned Regarding the fish bill which
died in the committee.
Durin-- the day Representative H. D.
McCullom, a Democrat, declared he
told the grand jury that he voted for
Lorimer after consulting his people at
home and also because he believed
LOrimer's election would bring dissen-
sion and division among the Repub-
licans and not because of political OBJ
legations to Beckmeyer or anybody
else.
DENIES JACKPOT"
Representative b. F. Staymates in
talk with the states attorney denied
he had been offered or had received
anything for his vote for Lorimer and
denied any knowledge of a Jackpot"
While he was before the grand jury,
Johnston declared that Holtstlaw and
o. NJ. FREEZER of the Ford-Johnston Fur
niture company had framed up the ac-
cusations against him and that States
Attorney Burke had had repeated con-
ferences with his business rivals.
The slur at him led the prompt re-
tort from Mr.. Burke and the order
that Johnston leave the jury room.
Deputy Sheriff Bogardus escorted
the furniture man from the jury cham
Der with little ceremony.
st was strongly tempted to strike
him when he was talking" said Mr..
Burke, "and I would very much re-
gret having anything like that hap
pen. So l ordered the man out of the
room"
No action was taken by the jury be-
fore the adjournment.