Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-12
West Virginia Legislators Ac-
cused of Bride Taking.
FIVE PLACED IN ARREST
County Prosecuting Attorney Prom.
Uses Rigid Investigation.
ASKS FOR SPECIAL GRAND JURY
Accused Members Trapped, Follow
ing Rumors of Corrupt Practice
in Senatorship Contest.

CHARLESTON, W. Va, February H.
With marked money in their pockets, al
legged to be the price Of their votes in the
United States senatorial contest, four
members of the house of delegates and
one member of the senate of West Nir-
ginia were arrested in hotel here late
yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Bonner
Hill, in the presence of the public prose
cutor, Thomas c. Townsend. They We're
taken before a justice of the peace, {.
w. Dering, where they each waived q
hearing and were held in 5000 bond.
The accused men are Representatives L
S. G.. Rhodes, Mingo county; DR.. II. +.
Asbury, Putnam county; Davis E. Hill.
Mason county: Rath Duff, Jackson coun-
ty, and Senator B. A. Smith.
Ever since the legislature assembled
there have been rumors that money was
being used to influence members of both
houses in the interest of some one of the
senatorial candidates. but the stories
were not supported by tangible evidence
and the entire matter was passed as an
ordinary feature of hard-fOught po-
litical battle.
Special Grand Jury to Act.
Prosecutor Thomas c. Townsend con-
ferred today with Judge Samuel Little
page and Judge Henry II. Black con-
corning the calling of a special grand
jury to investigate the alleged charges of
bribery. Although no date was an
nounced, it was stated that the grand
jury would be called early next week,
possibly Monday, and the investigation
would enter into every phase of the sem
sational situation.
While the accused legislators were re-
leased on bail, they are still members of
the legislature and it was expected they
would appear in their seats as usual to-
day when the house and senate met At
the StatehOuse 1t was asserted that if
they attempted to take any part in the
proceedings their right would be ques-
toned in opening the way for a legisia-
tive investigation 1t was reported that
evidence has been obtained against seven
other men, and they would be arrested
before the end of the week.
Rhodes makes Boast.
Delegate Rhodes is alleged to have said
recently. according to the prosecutor,
that for something over $4,000 he could
change six votes In the two houses. Act
ing on this report. it is stated. Prosecutor
Townsend summoned to his assistance a
number of private detectives. They had
rial ballot for several weeks, and We're in
close touch with the situation. Details of
their operations We're not made public,
but after the arrests, it is said, arrange
ments had been made for the change in
voting this week. 1t was to start with a
vote or two, the first day, followed by
other changes. until the necessary num-
Der had been secured.
Part of the program was carried out
and today was arranged as pay day"
The men were called to a hotel and
there, it was alleged. paid in the marked
bills. In an adjoining room Prosecutor
Townsend and Sheriff Hill awaited the
signal that was to lay bare the alleged
bribery. They had only few minutes
to wait, for, the transaction over, the
door was opened and the men invited to
enter.
Placed in Arrest.
There stood the sheriff and prosecutor.
to both of whom all the legislators were
known. For moment no one moved,
and then, without hesitancy. the sheriff
told the accused that they We're under ar
rest.
Prosecutor Townsend had prepared his
plans SO that the men could be taken at
once to the Office of Justice of the Peace
Dering, where they would be permitted
to plead. They lost no time in summon
ing counsel. and within a few minutes
after the arrest We're in the Justices
office.