Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-15
TRIBUNE PAID WHITE $3.50.
Defense Brings Out Records to Show
Story Was Paid For.

Story Was Paid For.
Chicago, June 15.-With the sudden
shifting Of the examination of Repre-,
sentative Charles A. White from the
prosecution to the defense in the trial
Of Representative Lee O'Neil Browne
for bribery yesterday there was uncov-
cred a fascinating story of intrigue
and corruption that rivaled even the
original confession Of the bribe-taker.
It was the story of Whites bargain
ing to sell his confession after he had
decided to tell all that he knew Of the
Loriner senatorial election, Of his con-
tract with the Chicago Tribune to sell
the document for ss,250 and Of the
work Of the prosecution to verify the
charges contained in the confession.
Included in this story was descrip-
tween the time the confession first was
published and his appearance upon the
witness stand.
Becomes ArtfuI Dodger.
During this period life consisted Of
one constant shifting Of places OF resi-
dence in tlt-of-way hotels about Chi
cago. Wisconsin resorts and any place
where he might not. be subjected to
prying questions.
All Of this time the law1naker was
accompanied by detective from State
Attorney Wayman's Office. While he
was not prisoner. every efferot was
made to protect him from possible
difficulties" with the political in
duences. in and out Of the legislature
that were endangered by his confess
sion.
But Of still greater interest was the
partial removal of the veil of mystery
that had concealed the plans Of the de-
Tense. The disclosures, however. We're
something Of disa ppointment to those
who had hoped for a fresh bornbshell
from Representative Brownies corps Of
lawyers.
Such Of the defense as was disclosed
during the day consisted of series of
letters and kilograms from White to
Brown, in which the legislator, who
now Is acting as prosecuting witness,
is pictured as a beggar of political IA
vors and money.
Letters Tell of Loans.
Two notes were offered as evidence
to show that White had borrowed at
least $3.50 from Browne, and his letters
showed that other loans had been
made.
These letters illustrated. among 9TH
er things, Whites spectacular verbiage
and manner of writing. They included
a seemingly frank statement Of his
graceful method Of slipping from the
height Of opulence to the comparative
poverty OF a man whose total assets
consisted Of 80 cents.
In the testimony concerning these
letters, which were introduced by
Brownies lawyers for Identification by
White. the prosecuting witness adroitly
phrased his replies in such a manner
as to compel Browne to take the wit
ness stand to identify them more pos
itively.
81 presume that is my writing" or
"That looks like a letter I sent to
Browne" were his answers in every in
stance. From this lack of definite
Identification arises the necessity for
Representative Browne to take the wit
ness stand himself.
This itself is considered great VIC
tory for the prosecution. in that Browne
then will be open to cross-examination
on details of the legislative acts that
preceded Senator Lorimer's election,
facts that otherwise might never see
the light Of judicial investigation.