Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-08

Inc governor IN the course
to make lengthy explanatory
answers to questions propounded by
Mr.. Rankin. which brought forth con-
tinual objections upon the part of
counsel for the defense and usually
resulted in the objections being sus-
tanned by the court.
Thinks Story Incomplete
Governor Dixon evidently had more
ION his chest" than could be brought
out on direct examination under the re-
straint of rulings sustained by the de-
fenses objections and when counsel for
the defense announced there would be
no cross examination the governor in
vited the court and counsel for the de-
fense to question him.
Judge Horsky made no reply to the
invitation. but Judge Rasch, of counsel
for the defense, said he recognized that
it was the privilege of the defense TO
question the witness and then moved
that the governors voluntary state
ment along that line be stricken from
the record. The motion was sustained.
The last question asked by the at
torney general and answered by the
governor was:
"Why did you remove Mr.. Conley:'
To this the governor replied:
Because / do not think man who
tries to bribe an official is a proper
man to be kept in office"
Had Evidence in Pocket
When the defense failed to cross-ex
anime the governor any opportunity to
substantiate this statement was lost to
th estate. 1t was afterwards said by
counsel for the state that the governor
had in his pocket letter bearing upon
this subject and which he had hoped to
be permitted to produce.
When Governor Dixon first took the
stand he testified that he had resided
in Montana for 81 years and had filled
the offices of county attorney, repre-
sentative in the legislature. congress
man and United States senator.
Then, in response to questions by
Mr.. Rankin, he testified that he had
never told Sauls. deputy warden. or
else that he had sent Mac
Donald to Deer Lodge to get" Frank
CGnley; and that he had never told
Potter, the new warden. that he wanted
him TO get" Conley.
Questioned as to the change in
wardens in April. 1921. the governor
replied that Conleys term had expired
about 60 days before and several days
after the close of the legislature Conley
had come into his office, remarked that
his term had expired and asked if he
was TO be reappointed warden: that
the governor told Conley he had been
too busy to think about il but would
let him know as soon as a decision
was reached. He said Conley pulled
a hnt tI5.lyn 20 cha knt h.
had bet $500 on the governors cleo
ticn.
Notified ConIey April i3
The governor then identified the
carbon copy of letter, dated April 13,
1871. which he wrote to Conley
notifying him of the writer's intention !
to make change of wardeEs and to
put someone in Conleys place who
would work in harmony with the gov
ernor.
He said about this time Secretary
Of State c. T. Stewart came into his |
office and seemed distressed at the |
situation and that later Stewart came
back and said Conley telephoned him |
and wanted TO know if the change |
,ould not be postponed few days on |
account OF minor surgical operation |
lpon Mrs. Conley. The governor said |
le told Stewart it would be all right |
md then Stewart said he would ike |
o go over with the new warden. |
Stewart then went over with Potter
md McFatridge on Saturday. returning |
Monday, said the governor, and the |
'oard was Immediately convened. He
aid both Stewart and McFatridge
Produced several pieces of paper Gov
red with notes in the nature of in
'entories and prices The witness was
hen shown and he identified the |
nemoranda previously introduced as
he notes made by Secretary Stewart.
These notes had been introduced by
he state for the purpose of showing
he offer made by ConIey for the sale
( the Walton ranch.
Defense Charges Hearsay
Governor Dixon had said that at
his time he had never heard of the
alton ranch by name and when aues-
oned as to the showing of 500 acre
anch the defense objected on the
rounds that it was but hearsay evi-
ence. not proper rebuttal and if for
he purpose of impeaching the testi-
.ony of Secretary Stewart no grounds
ad been laid. |,
The court informed Mr.. Rankin he
ad laid no foundations for the i'm
eachment of Stewait's testimony but
him to go ahead with the I
Continued on Page Two) /,