The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-22

The Developments not .of an
Astounding Nature. 3


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- A--A fo-Dar,s TEsrnloSY.
WASHINGTON, March s2s-shiphsrds OK
anfination was fesumea Witness statet
in his testimony of yssterday. that he
thought Hurlbut's venal was based or
events which occurred many years ago, in.
Guiding decision of the Supreme Court
of Louisiana, IN which it was shown thai
Huribnt. while IN the service Of the United
States at New Orleans,
ACCEPTED BRIBE. -f
Representative Kasson then asked il in
all his (witness) correspondence with Hurl-
but, the latter ever intimated that he de
sired to have an interest In the Peruvian
claim. ti .gssrsI sszs<zfffE Fss asssI 4a..,s,
Answer--'No. sir: he never did"
Witness stated i'm further reply that no
officer of the United States in the -diplo-
matte service or otherwise, ever expressed
any desire or listened to any
proposals for an interest," in the
claim of the Peruvian, company.
Governor BostwsIl 10 whom shipherd
referred his papers stated the claim was
good and be was prepared to lay it before
the President. Several conferences ensued
as to what counsel should be employed
but at no time was anything said in favor
Of employing anyone ON account or his
Official station or relations. Subsequently
q prominent Senator who was warm
friend of the ! Secretary of State.
offered to lay the matter before
that official and the President.
Witness said the Landrean claim was
held by the Americans. The Peruvian
Company was incorporated under the laws
of Georgia and all of the stock held in this
country. He refused to answer several
questions az to who held stock and as to
the working OF the company etc. Ship
perd then went into a long explanation Of
his connection with the Psruyisn company
which began in March, 1881.
At this point there were vizible signs of
amusement in view of the witness refusal
to disclose the name of senator to w ash
ington, and he stated he would be pleased
to bring about for me an interview with
the secretary of state. Witness was asked
how he came CO. obtainz charter under
the laws of Georgia, and explained that in
looking about for the most favorable con-
difions he heard OF charter which had
sometime since been granted Duff Green
by the state of Georgia and which con-
tanned such extraordinary advantageous
features allowing the establishment
branches at any point in this country or
abroad, that they decided TO obtain this
Charter The company Is now acting un-'
der this charter andstock has been regu
larly issued and under the clause per
mittiug branches, they established head
quarters in New York city.
Witness was again asked if he stillh OBJ
jections TO the names of senators. He re
piled: asince SO much has been said in this
connection psrhaps It would be better T
should right here and now give the entire
history of the corrnection OF this Senator.
". with the Peruvian 60 I have already
spoken OF his refusal to take retainer, at
subsequent date, having been advised By
the secretary of state and several friends
both in the Senate and House, that this
case could never come before Congress
but would be settled in the state depart
snent, the sc mater did take fee as attor
ney for the company and actsd in that ca
pacity for nearly four months. His entire
connection with the case was during the
recess of Congress shortly, before the reas-
sembling of Congrsssin December he had
another interview with me and stat
ed he was satisfied questions i'm
voIved in the affairs Of the company
would come before the Congress in man
men involving Legislative action and he
should not therefore reconcile his position
as counsel for the company upon whose
affairs he might be called upon to pass in
the capacity of Senator of the United
States. Therefore he returned the amount
of fees taken, even reserving what he had
expended in travelling expenses in the IN
terest of the company From that point
all connection of the Senator with the,
affairs of the Peruvian Company absolutely
closed. saa
Witness was asked if he had ever had
any correspondence with other foreign
Ministers of the United States besides
Hurlbut, and replied: the cores
pondence with Hurlbut and two
letters to General Kirkpatrick comprised
all correspondence witness had had with
Foreign Ministers of the United States
abroad; witness had personal interviews
with General Adams, American Minister
to Bolivia, who was in this country last
summer. 1t was, however, in relation to
the possible establishment of commercial
relations between the Peruvian company
and the government of Bolivia, It was
matter that could in no way become a sub
ject of diplomatic inquiry correspondence
or action upon the part of this govern
ment. and there was never any proposition
made to General Adams to take an interest
in the company or a tender of stock or fee
for any service to be rendered by him.
AN ACCIDENT.