The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-06
More Facts Are Brought Out
Relative to Charge
WOMAN WITNESS IS HEARD
Wife of Hotel Proprietor Tcstifies That
She Heard Talk of Purchasing
Votes but Considered the
Matter As a Joke

Jackson, Miss. April 5.-That former
Governor Vardaman knew of plans be-
ing formulated to entrap the bribe-givers
during the recent senatorial contest, and
that the former governor himself sug-
gested plan was testified to this even
ing before the state senate, which is in
vestigating the alleged rendering of
sum of money to State Senator Theodore
Bilbo in exchange for his vote in caucus.
j. @. Poindexter, a Noxubee county
planter, and ardent supporter of the for
mer governor, testified to this effect.
One other witness. Mrs. Roby Hall, wife
of Jackson hotel proprietor. was heard
this afternoon Mrs Hail. the first wom-
an called on to testify, told of her ac-
quaintance with Senator Bilbo and l.. c.
Dulaney who is charged with having paid
the bribe money to Bilbo. She discussed
the senatorial contest with them, she
testified, but always in jocular manner,
and the probable purchase of votes was
frequently mentioned, but Mrs. Hall stat
ed that whether 1t was mentioned by
either Bilbo or Dulaney or herself she
always regarded 1t as a joke.
one hHcW HotHiiiB VI d pTopOSlllOT De-
tween Bilbo and Dulaney. She said Rep
resentative Cowart was introduced to Du-
laney and remarked as a Jest then they
were on opposing sides of the political
fence and ought to get together.
'Well. / can't be induced to change
my VOTE she declares Cowart replied
Il am long ways from home and it
takes money to buy whisky"
Dulaney replied, according to the wit
ness: well, I'm broke myself, but / have
n quart OF whisky in my room. If you'll
go over I'll be glad to give you a drink"
Representative Cowart is credited with
having testified that he was zap
preached
Mrs. Hall admitted that she was ac-
quainted with Mrs. c. L. Neil, mentioned
as having to a certain extent engineered
the alleged bribery, but she knew moth
ing of her alleged connection with the
affair.
Mrs Hall declared that since the legal
investigation began District Attorney Me-
Neil has discussed the inquiry with her.
Poindexter said he first heard of the
alleged bribery plans and a counter plan
to ascertain whether the rumors were
true at the Vardaman headquarters. The
former governor was In the room at the
time, according to Poindexter, and re-
marked, well, we have had PROPOSE
ton made to u.s." and then proceeded to
outline a plan of procedure. Bilbo en-
tered the room at this juncture, the wit
ness testified, and remarked that "she''
had made a proposition and was await
ing his answer. He suggested that the
Vardaman adherents act slowly. 1t was
decided that Bilbo have the woman wait
until the next day. Biblo departed, re-
turning a few moments later, and an
nounced that she would wait. Repre-
sentative Doherty of Tunica county, now
absent from Jackson, was present at this
conference, Poindexter explained.
When the state senate resumed the
bribery investigation today resolution
to remove the ban of secrecy and al
low newspaper reporters access to the
proceedings was introduced and adopted.
The Hines county grand jury recon-
vened today and decided to go deeper
into the alleged bribery and investiga-
tion charges.
Shortly before the noon hour two deputy
sheriffs invaded the state house and
served subpoenas right and left on sena-
tors and representatives. One of the
subpoenas was for Representative Chas.
DOneTIy Oh COUNTY, WHO pccll
absent from the city for three weeks
and is now reported to be in New
Orleans. A report from the grand jury
this afternoon Is to the effect that a
thorough probing will be made of poker
games in which legislators participated
during the senatorial contest. Mrs. C.
l.. Neil, the woman in the case,'' whom
Senator Bilbo states acted as go-between,
and informed him that he could sell his
vote to Dulaney. is expected to return
from New Orleans tonight.
Mrs. Halls Letter
jackson Miss, April 5.-(Special. Mrs.
Roby Hall, wife of the proprietor of the
Lemon hotel, whose name has been con-
nectel frequently with the disclosures in
the l3ilbo-Dulaney bribery case anent the
election of Senator Percy, gives out
long statement tonight in which she re-
pudiates a statement previously made to
District Attorney Mcneil connecting Du-
laney with the bribery charges, and says
she vas so mad and excited she could not
tell What she was signing.
Mrs Hall declares that Senator Bilbo
Offered her $1,000 to testify that Dulaney
had offered to bribe him. but she refused
She furthe' states that Bilbro tried to
borrow money from her. and that Repre-
sentative Cowart tried to get her to ne
go.iate q loan from the Percy side for
his vote The testimony of Mrs. Hall has
added zest to the senatorial investigation
which is still on.