Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-04-27
Have Refused TO Show Bank
Records 10 Customers.
Must Show Why Should Not Be
Punished for Contempt.
Investigation Advises Of Election
of sen. Stephenson, Wis.

Springfield. Ill, April 26.-By vote
of 40 To Z the Illinois Senate tonight
ordered the arrest OF Edward TiIden,
George NJ Benedict ard William 6.
Cummings of Chic g and their ap-
pearance before sic senate to SHOW
cause. why they should not be punish
ed for contempt. The alleged con-
tempt consists in the refusal OF the
three men. who afe hackers. to sub
nit as evidence before tile Senate
committee that is investigating
bribery, the bank records OF their
customers 1t has been alleged that
these bank books might prove some
of the accounts given of money lav
ing been subscribed towards the cleo
ton of William Lorimer as United
States senator Under oath all three
have denied any knowledge of any
such funds ana have sworn that their
accounts show nothing bearing on the
subject, they pleaded that to show
the hank accounts would be unjust
to the customers.
The question of contempt was
argued at length before the Senate
a Today with the result that the ar
fest of the men was voted.
Springfield. H.. april 26.-Immedi-
.ately following the reading of the
journal in the Senate today. Chair
man Helm moved that the Senate
bribery committees report of yester-
=, day be adopted.
Attorneys for Edward Tiiden.
CHARLES j. Cummings and George NJ
Benedict We're present, prepared 10
, argue against the adoption. The re-
port recommended that the Senate
hold Tilden. Cummings and Benedict
n contempt for failure to appear be-
fore the committee and answer ques-
tions as to the alleged nsa of money
in tire election of William Lorimer
TO the United States Senate.
Attorney John J. Healey of the brib-
cry committee. said that Benedict and
Cummings had given no reason for
their refusal to testify before the COM
mittee and were waiting for the dis
position of Tilden's case before the
bar of the Senate.
Mr. Healey quoted from certain Sec
tons of the state statute which he de-
clared showed wherein the President
OF the Senate had power to order the
imprisonment of persons who refused
TO answer to the Senate commands.
Former Judge Sears of Chicago, rep
resenting Benedict. Tilden and Cum
innings, declared that the Helm COM
mittee report was partial and mis-
leading and could therefore not be
passed aupon intelligently by the Sen
ate
He said that Mr.. Tilden never re-
fused to take the witness stand and
now was ready to testify, but felt he
had constitutional right to refuse to
turn over TO the committee his person
al checking accounts and papers.
Mr.. Tilden has testified under
OATH, declared Mr. Sears, that not
an item in his personal or business ae-
counts had any reference to the in
quiry. That is sufficient. The COM
mittee has that testimony and I be-
lieve that that is all that should be
asked of him."
After the adoption of the eompey's
recommendation for the arrest of the
bankers, Lieut.. Gov. John Oglesby an
nouneed he would assume the RESPONSE
bility of issuing warrants for the
three men, The Senate then passed a
motion directing Mr.. Oglesby to is
sue the warrants. The warrants for
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