The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-05-19
ARREST LINK ON
CONTEMPT CHARGE
: - 49, -
Legislator Refuses to Testify Be-
fore Grand Jury.
IS RELEASED ON $500 BOND
sansamon Prosecutor Offers Him Inn
raunlty-RepresentatIve Brownies
Trlal In Senatorial Bribery
Scandal 70 Begin Monday.

Scandal 70 Begin Monday.
Springfield, ILL.,, May 14.--Upon his
refusal to testify before Sangamon
county grand Jury after an order of
immunity had been entered In the
local courts, Representative Michael
s. Link OF Mitchell, who was brought
here from his home at Mitchell by
Sheriff Werner, was arrested on a
charge OF criminal contempt of court
by order OF Judge Robert s. Shirley.
He was released on $500 bonds to
appear in court on Monday morning,
when he is to be sentenced for his
contempt
When Link was taken before the
grand jury he refused to answer any
questions, ON the ground that he might
iiicriminate himself. -As soon as he
made this statement he was taken out
Of the jury room into Judge Shirley's
court
Link Granted immunity.
States Attorney Burke at once pre-
scented a petition granting him immu-
him from all liability to be prosecuted
or punished on account of any matter
to which he might be required to
testify. AS soon as this order was
presented, Judge Shirley signed It and
Link was once more taken back into
the grand jury room. .s
The question: did any person or
persons in Sangamon county, H., Of
fer or promise you any money or
other valuable thing In consideration
of your vote In the Forty-sixth gen
eral assembly of this state for a
United States senator?" was asked.
Again Link refused to answer and
on order OF the foreman OF the grand
jury. Fred Rentschler, he was taken
in custody by the bailiff' and again
brought into court charged with Grim
inal contempt. Ill.,.
Feared Would incriminate Self.
Judge Shirley asked Link why he
had refused to answer, upon which
Link rose to his feet and said: Your
honor, ] refuse to answer on the
ground that might incriminate my;
self ,, .s9
Link was allowed to enter his own
bail for appearance on Monday.
Representative Wslhorn Testifiss.
Representative George W. WeIborn
of Woodlawn. Jefferson county, was
the principal witness before the San.
canon county grand jury. Welborn
is Republican. Before leaving the
court house he told what he knew Of
the alleged bribery. < 4
Welborn said he was invited to
meet the then Congressman William
Lorimer in the speakers room at the
capitol on the day before Lorimer's
election
Mr.. Lorimer told me he would not
let his meme go before the legisla.
ture,% said Welborn. unless he was
sure he would be elected. He said he
felt positive that he would be. He
asked me II would vote for him and
told him that as had been instruct.
ed to vote for Hopkins II l cast my
vote for him. Lorimer, 1t would mean
political suicide. Lorimer told me he
knew that, but said that he expected
me to vote for him just the same.
When 1t came to this point l walked
away from Mr.. Lorimer and did not
allow the conversation to continue
! any further
81 might add" concluded Welborn,
chat | voted for Hopkins
Browne to Be Tried Monday.
Chicago. May 14.--State's Attorney
Wayman announced that Lee o'Nell
Browne, Democratic leader of the
house of representatives, who Is
charged with bribery OF legislators,
will be placed on trial in the criminal
court next Monday, II the defense is
prepared ..
Browne is alleged to have distributed
the money said to have been paid to
certain representatives to vote for
Lorimer. Representatives White. Beck,
meyer and Link, who are declared by
the states attorney to have confessed
to receiving brides, will be witnesses
at the trial. Owing to the fact that
the indictments are little more than a
week old. 1t is scarcely expected the
defense will be ready to proceed.
Browne. it is expected, will ask for a
postponement.