New Britain herald., 1924-04-09
Senator Walsh Rallies 10 Defend
 Colleague; Wo Maintains Charges Filed Are 4 Damnabe Conspiracy
Accused Montanan Explains Case, on Which He Is In- dicted, Declaring Fee He Got Was Legitimate Re. tainer.

1 Washington, April 9.-Rising to a question of personal privilege, Sena- tor Wheeler, democrat, Montana, de- , nounced on the senate floor today the indictment returned against him yes terday by a grand jury in his home state.
 Senator Wheeler spoke to a crowd cd senate. Practically every member was in his seat, and the galleries were damned.
 Reviews His Career The Montana senator first gave a brief resume of his personal career from his birth in Massachusetts to his entrance into public life in Butte, Mont. where, he said, he incurred the ill-will of one of the largest finan- cial interests in the state by voting for Senator Walsh, democrat, his present colleague.
 The Montana senator entered the chamber an hour after the adjourn ment Of the Daugherty investigation which he has directed and a number of his democratic associates went over to shake his hand. He got the floor on a point of personal privilege and Chairman Brookhart of the Daugherty committed, called for a quorum 10 hear him.
 For that vote, Senator Wheeler said. he was told he could not remain in public affairs or in the state.
 During service as district attorney he said 'it became my duty to prose- cute some prominent politicians both republican and democratic" and to cite certain public officials for con- tempt on charges Of tampering with a jury.
 Continually Opposed
 One of these officials, he said, later became associated with a large cop- per company and from that point on "has been active in opposing me-"
 While in onice," Senator Wheeler continued, T found 1t incumbent to prosecute graft and corruption and here I find myself in the department Of justice investigation. AS a result I find myself today standing indict- ed"
 The foreman of the Montana grand jury was described by Senator Wheel CT as "the hitterest political enemy ! have"
 ''The man who presented the evil dence to the jury" he added. recent ly had sought his twheeler's) aid fin obtaining an appointment.
 This indictment he said, was part Of one of the most damnable conspiracies ever consummeted in the United States"
 Urges Investigation
 Senator Robinson, Arkansas. the democratic leader. urged an investi- gation of the indictment and suggest cd that new committee be appoint ed because Senator Wheeler is a mem Der of the present commute.
 Tn party leader declared that all of those who had heard Senator wheeler's statement could not be but impressed that he "has been the vic- tim of a frame-up."
 Senator Walsh, democrat, Montana, prosecutor of the oil committee, de- clared he was convinced that the charge against his colleague was ut- terly baseless
 'T desire to express my entire con- fdence in the statement of my col said Senator Walsh.
 In recounting his political eSperi- ence in Montana the senator said he long ago had incurred "the opposition of the Anaconda company, the largest
 tzs s.-A ... aN. A.
 Tells Whole Story
 He then declared that lie would give the senate 'fhe whole story of his with the case" mentioned in the indictment A retainer of s2,000 was given him, he said, 10 try the case for the oil company which he won and afterwards he was paid about as much more. That was in January. 1928.
 "I hare never appeared before any for Mir. Campbell or any of his associates" he said. referring to Gordon Campbell, indicted with him.
 My contract with him expressly said l could not appear for them in 
 'T defy them to produce one scintii- la Of evidence that I have appeared before any department of govern ment."
 Campbell, an oil geologist in Mon iana, was being robbed by the big
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