The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-02-12

evidence. which has been turned over
to Mr.. Townsend. and which when
made public will open the eyes OF
West Nirginians as 10 the methods
used by their representatives at
Charleston.
Ringleaders Arrested.
AS a result of the investigation We
have placed the ringleaders under ar
rest. and have a mass OF evidence In
eliminating a number OF others, all
or which Will be turned ove To the
prosecuting a~atorney 20 be used by
him as he may deem necessary. The
investigation. with its extensive rami-
iications. has been pending for nearly
a month.
Early I'm January Delegate Rhodes.
who is charged by the authorities
with being the leader. approached a
close political friend OF Edwards. who
has been "A candidate for the Watson
seat in the senate and promised he
could deliver six votes in the legisla-
ture for a consideration OF eight thou
sand dollars. The proposition Of the
Mingo county candidate was carried TO
Colonel Edwards. who immediately
laid the whole matter before P%rOsecut-
INK Attorney Townsen-
He later advised tho employment
Of the Burns agency. Several Burns
~ 80 ~ -AdI
ton and have conducted the investiga-
ton under The direction Of Bentley
and Tow nsend. The former dealt per
sonally with each Of the members now
, accused OF accepting bribes To influ-
enCe their votes on the election of a
United States senator. Rhodes was
the first Of the accused legislators he
dealt with and the MingO county dele.
gate brought the other representa-
tiVCs 20 Befley.
Taken To Washington.
So complete was the confidence OF
the accused lawmakers In Bentley
that on Saturday two OF the accused
delegates accompanied the detectives
10 Washington on q pleasure trip.
where they were most royalty enter
tanned by the Burns detectives Del
egate lum WAS the most suspicious
Of the quintet When he was first
brought 10 Bentley be refused To- ak
10 the detective. but wrote his an
sWcr 10 all questions on a pad Of pa
- "ns not afraid. Was the
query OF Bentley. 4 sct 4 system az
.Wr o 20 beat Luru- and the dicta-
Iraph. and this r. the system was
the r'ply Dun wrote on the pad
However. the confidence Of Dun In
BENTLEY increased. and no discards
The pad and pencil. and Was a fire.
qufnf visitor TO ~" detective room.
If uNN uffu IINlllrfN tHsHNN NOF HIS
wore. % was 90 anxious Ia receive
the full amount that he Is alleged 20
have offered Bentley $3.50 Of the
sum % u Wa< turned over IN q lump
sum today Rhodes. % Is said. was
tn get 500 % Tor the delivery Of the
Eve votes. and ~ he same time he
D. charged with acting az a commits
sion from each of the fou represen-
t|atives he brought "a Bentley. Tae
deal With Rhodes was completed
2 Monday. when Benile, promised him
slFnnU boz cold each after he made the
speech which the detective had prac
tiCed Tor him tu deliver on the nOor
~ the joint assembly. Rhodes iu-
Sisted upon The si5.NOu loo advance.
bur Tho detective demurrcd. and when
Tho Mtur0 delegates saw the st5.Oun
Iu gold r~rriihc1fes lp consented 20
delivcT the speech. and returned 20
Tho detectives room for the money
/ T. non bis return. follow % by M,
other members. No. was arrested
Colonel William Seymour Edwards
af whose iusfsfaucc tho Burns olcrn-
( lives Uere brought to Charleston. said
To- uirht that Doc would rather have q
part iu ending these corrupt prar.
j t1rp. Than he elected To- the senate 81
fhf United States
Edwards Talks.
IAo made tIo following statement
INr arrest of certain members 81
INf Wfrf virginia legislature TODAY.
vho arc CHARGED by the proper author
Iirz With fhr sale of their votes IN
+ Tho election OF a senator Of tho United
[ States. must center attention upon
conditions Uhich are rumored 10 have
long prevailed in fhia state. for 10 has
been often urnult charged loo me past.
and NOT without some substance Of
evidence. that senators votes haa bpcu
H0ld if sprrot auction Zoe West Nir
sIuiI ~ o. fhc belief 81 myself and
INV friends fhlt thc time has come
when This practice. 90 vicious aud