The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-13
BRIBERY CASE IS
QU|ET|NG DOWN
Prosecution Ends and De-
Tense Takes Up Case
B|LBO IS HARD QUESTIONED
Newspaper Men Are Excluded From
the Room For a Time-BilbO Is
Subjected TO Very Severe
Examination

Jackson, Miss, April 12.-The prosecu-
tion in the bribery investigation in the
senate rested its case today and the de-
fense has entered upon it's rebuttal testi-
mony. The days doings were marked
by two minor sensations The first was
the exclusion of the newspaper men,
while Principal Thames of the Poplarville
school told why Senator Bilbo severed his
connection as a teacher with that school
three years ago. Senator bnDo's coun-
sci demanded, that, if the testimony in
volved moral shortcomings, the press be
excluded. Evidently the testimony did,
for the reporters were requested to with
draw. The second sensation was the find
ing of three bank notes issued by the
National bank of Poplarville, in the s645
bribe money Bilbo turned over to the
grand jury. Poplarville is a small town
in Mississippi in which Senator Bilbo
lives.
The afternoon session was given over
to character witnesses, who testified to
the good reputation, truth and veracity
borne by Senator Bilbo. There were
half a dozen of them and they were
strong in their belief that Bilbo was to
be believed. Before taking recess the
senate, by agreement, expunged the tes-
timony of Senator MCGEE, who swore that
Representative Fielder told him that Bilbo
wanted money for his support of the
Walthall county bill. Fielder was present,
but neither side would put him on the
stand. Later he issued a statement.
saying that he had been misunderstood
and that Senator Bilbo never made any
proposition to me for money in support OF
any measure and that, as far as 1 know,
he Is an honest, honorable, upright gen.
Senator Anderson insisted on night
session tonight and urged that the defenst
try to close it's case tonight. Senator
Mcdonald, for the defense, said he could
not close his case until certain witnesses
arrived, which might not be until morn
ing. Then the senat' recessed until
D. m.
Mrs. Neil Appears
When tho senate resumed its investi-
cation this morning Mrs. C. ]. Neil,
the mysterious woman in the case. was
in the lobby She had been recalled by
the prosecution.
A rather lively debate marked Senator
Anderson's announcement that he wished
to recall her for further cross-examina-
ton. Senator Tucker OF council for Bilbe
said:
Don't ask us about Mrs. Neill. We
don't know where she is and If you re-
call her she is your witness"
"She is not our Witness retorted Sen
ator Anderson emphatically. land the
sergeant-at-arme will find her."
Evidently the sergeant did, for Mrs.
Neil was present before the senate con-
vened.
The first witness was M. G. Maui
rey, telegraph editor of the Memphis
News -Scimitar, who came to jackson
to report the bribery charges when Bill
bo went before the grand jury Maui
rev identified articles he had written
and told of an interview with Senator
Bilbo. In this interview Bilbo stated
he got the money for his vote, turned
1t over to Representative Culpepper.
who turned it over to the sheriff, who
in turn gave it to the grand jury. Later
Maurey recited a synopsis of the inter-
view to Bilbo and Bilbo corrected 1t
to read that he merely gave the money
to Culpepper to count.
The interview quoted Bilbo as saying
he hid Rev. Culpepper in his room for
four days, which Culpepper likewise
Denies
Representative M p. Foy of New
ton county told of meeting Rev. Gull
pepper soon after Bilbo made his bribery
charge and testified that Culpepper
said he knew nothing about the af-
fair.
Bank Director Testifies
T. r. White, a director of the bank
at Poplarville, testified that his bank
loaned Bilbo $500 for campaign ex-
penses. This sum had not been re-
paid, he said, and a suit to recover
was pending. He considered Bilbos
reputation for honesty, integrity, truth
and veracity was bad.
w, l. Thames, employed as prin'
cipal of a school at Hattiesburg, for.
merly in the same capacity at Poplar
VILE, Bilbo's home, testified that Bill
bo went to his school.
When asked why Bilbo left, Sena-
tor Tucker, for Bilbo, was on his feet
with vehement objections.
IF this involves a question of moral
said Tucker, 81 demand
would not let immortality enter"
1--WE will mention no Names said
Senator Anderson. 1--WE will bring
Bilbo into it alone"
"But I object to that, too" retort-
ed Tucker, land I ask the representa-
tives of the press be excluded while
we discuss II. We don't want a. line of
this printed
Anderson passed the question tenn
and Thames testified that Bill
bo's reputation for truth and veracity
was not good.
Senator Anderson again brought up
the question for the reason of Bilbo
leaving school at Poplarville. Tucker
a gain insisted that If the reason in
volyed moral transgressions the repre-
sentatives of the press should be ex-
cluded.
Counsel for the prosecution through
Representative Leftwich agreed and the
reporters were requested to withdraw
while Professor Thames explained why
Senator Bilbo severed his connection with
the Poplarville school.
Reporters Warned
When Thames was excused the reporters
were invited to invade again the secret
session, were again warned not to pub
lish the testimony given in their absence
and then Sheriff Harding of this county
was called. He brought with him the
famous $645 which Bilbo says he received
for his vote. There were 40 bills, one
ten five twenties and q fives.
Sheriff.. said Senator Anderson. are
there any bills there issued by the Ma
tional hank of Poplarville Miss.?"