Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-03-22
sHIPHERD
Well Enough to Make Things Lively
Before the Committee.
How the Opposition of HurIbut to the
Peruvian Company Was met-A Sug-
gestion Meant as a Bait and
Not an Offer.
PLEASANT CHATS WITH BLAINE.

WAsmIN"ToN, March 2l-The testimony
of Jacob K. Shipherd before the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, relative to the Peru
Chilli scandal, developed some decidedly
rich features. He was asked by Chairman
Williams why he wrote Minister Hurlbut
such letter as that OF June, offering him
an opportunity to purchase stock.
He said he had once lived in Hurlbuts
district He had lived there during the
campaign in which he was defeated for
Congress. His civil and military records
were then ripped up. He learned great
many things about him which led him to
believe that Hurlhut held peculiar views of
the fitness Of things. He seemed to think
that it was not improper for 4 pubnc Off
Ger to have personal interest in business
matters coming under his official cOgni-
zance.
Before writing the June letter to Hurl-
Int, he made careful inquiry OF Hurlbuts
friends, and found that his impression OF
his character was correct Therefore. he
wrote the letter. lie was pressed to define
definitely his opinion OF Hurlbut. He
gave it in circumlOcutOry language. Press
cd by Chairman Williams with "Do you
mean in plain language that you consider
ed Minister Hurlbut purchascablc?"
lie replied, slapping the table with his
right hand, most emphatically, most en-
phatically,' amid the laughter of the crowd
ed committee room. In answer 70 questions
aS "a, &c int II Ia.
said that he had no intention and no desire
to purchase him. lie didn't think it was
necessary. He did not want his positive
affirmative influence as minister To- Peru.
He had in his mind that Hurlhut would,
unless he was personally interested. oppose
the Peruvian claim. aS Oh" Of HurlbUtS
friends said. when he asked him about
NuribUt'> purchlsabiilty, steve will fight
YOU 10 the bitter end, unless he has u
promise or 4 Suggestion ri something good
10 accrue To him from YOU
Shiphcrl said, much 10 the Amusement
of the committee. that he regarded Hurl.
but as he would have regarded Il dog who
wanted Ia bite his hand, or a criminal who
wanted to iniurc him, He threw out the
suggestion, in order to prevent his Oppo>i.
tions. 1t was entirely proper "u it, face,
Ii was susceptible of two constructions
3
Wan stock, both he and Shipheri must
agree a. to what the term proper meant
He knew that his construction of proper
was not that of Hurlbut. As a matter ot
fact Hurlbut never got any stock and never
would get any unless this impossible agree
ment should he reached by Hurlbut and
Shipherd as to what it was proper for Z
public officer to do.
He rather thought that by holding ou'
this Suaped end OF the stick to Hurlbut hl
had conciliated him. He had not sOugh
| To influence his official action. He had
| only sought 10 prevent his personal Oppo'
Siti"n to the Peruvian Company. In thi:
| he had succeeded. In an interview witt
| Blaine. July - and 2i, Shipherd refcrre,
! 70 his offer to Hurlbut, Blaine smiled anC
| remarked that such an offer would no
| meet Hurlbuts views. Another gentleman
present remarked that an offer to sell 10
| money would scarcely be acceptable ~
man who had no money.
Another Account,
The testimony OF Shiphcrd before tn
| creased the interest in this investigate,
| very much. Shipherd talked glibbly, am
| impressed the committee as a bold man
| not over sCrUpulOus in his methods. Tn
| chairman was instructed to conduct the cX
| animation. but each member will be en-
| titled to ask questions in his turn. Ship
herd apparently desires to dc all the talk
ing, and thus give any turn he nigh
| choose TO his testimony, prompted Tn
committee TO adopt systematic mode "
! examination.
| Expressions OF members oi the commit
tee indicate that they think the inveStga
! li"n will dcvelopc something OF interest
that while Shiphcrd has exaggerated hi
relations with public men. there j. some
thing beneath all this worth bringing out
Shipherd is regarded us a very Shrcw
man. and will tell the committee, if al
lowed to control matters, only what h
wants them to know; but it is intended /
make 50 the committee state, thOrOlg
investigation, and it j. said, upon whrt al
pears To- he "ood authority, Chat Blaine wlI
be summoned bciOr" the committee.