The Man Who Would Be Mayor: How Spokane’s Elite Saved a Local Hero from Political Ruin

SEATTLE, Jan. 30. — The result of the first day's work of the House committee sent to inquire into the charges by John Metcalfe against H. L. Clarke resulted in a complete vindication of Metcalfe’s reputation as a man of good standing and unblemished character.

Twenty well-known citizens, including some of the best known citizens of this city, testified that they knew him well and had confidence in his word, and had never known any reason for questioning his integrity. Metcalfe's attorney is Colossal J. C. Haines, of Seattle. George Forster, of Spokane, represents Clarke. The inquisition is being held in the room of the Pacific Hotel.

There was not much badgering or browbeating of witnesses indulged in by the attorneys. Clarke Whitbeck, of Springdale, and Mark Shefley, of the same place, and others testified that Metcalfe was all right.

Jonathan Edwards, formerly pastor of the First Congregational church of Spokane and now connected with the college at Walla Walla, have known Mr. Metcalfe about three years. "Mr. Metcalfe was not a member of our church. We were both members of the Good Templars, and I was interested with him and other members in prosecuting liquor men for running saloons on Sundays. The prosecution was under the auspices of the Good Templars and the Evangelical churches. Mr. Metcalfe, with the others, endeavored to get evidence, acting in the capacity of a detective. I never heard of his doing any other detective work. I never heard anyone say that he was an untruthful man. The impression was that what he did was prompted by moral convictions."

S. C. Hyde took the stand in answer to a flood of questions he said he had lived in the state of Washington thirteen years. This time now divided into two years residence in Seattle, one in Tacoma and ten in Spokane. "Three cities," he said, "to have been located in the Garden of Eden." He has known Metcalfe for many years; knew him when the young man was a stenographer in Spokane and later as contest clerk in the land office in this city; has often, in times past, employed him to do stenographic work; knew him as an industrious, reputable young man; was familiar with the recent campaign in Stevens county, where Metcalfe's opponent, McMillan, a "very popular man, was defeated by Metcalfe," paid the latter ran ahead of his ticket in the locality where he lived.

"In the last senatorial election whom were you for?" asked Forster.

"Unmistakably for Squire. The reason I was not in Olympia was my wife's sickness."

Judge Nash, a prominent Democrat, also testified strongly for Metcalfe. Postmaster Arthur J. Shaw testified that he had known Clarke for three years and that he bore an exceptionally good character. Major Armstrong, county clerk, testified in Clarke's favor, and the investigation went over till 1 o'clock tomorrow.

It is expected that testimony will be produced tomorrow touching the circumstances surrounding the bribery charges against Clarke.