Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-03-22
THE PERUVIAN PLAN.
shipherd Disgorges Himself
Before the Committee.
Collector Robertson Seems TO be the
only Man who took Any.
thing and Kept II.


Tcllers Nomination as Secretary
OF the Interior to be Made
To-Day or TO.NIOrrOw.
y ltptier'i before the Investig atlng Conn
mittee.
Washington, March 22.-Witness said
thai the London claim was held by the
American Peruvian company, aud was
incorporated under the laws of Georgia,
and all OF the stock held in this country.
He refused to answer several questions
as to who held the stock workings of the
company, &c. Shipherd then went into
long explanation of his connection with
the Peruvian company. which began in
March, 1881.
Gov. Boutwell,, to whom Shipherd re-
ferred his papers, stated that the claim
was good, and he was prepared to lay it
before thepresldent. Several conferences
ensued us to what counsel should be
employed, but at no time was any thing
SAID in favor of employing any man on
account of his official station or rela-
tions. Subsequently, prominent sena-
tor, who was warm friend of the secre.
tsry Of state, offered to lay the matter
before that official and present his
claims.
Witness asked him If he would accept
retainer in the case as counsel and the
senator answered with vehemence, mo,
Sir; under no conceivable circumstances.
You can readily see the matter might
come before congress in some shape for
its action, and it would be manifestly i'm
proper" The senator added that We had
no need of counsel in the sense had
mentioned; that we had simply to lay
our case before the secretary and presi-
dent; the whole country was interested
and it was his duty to further the inter-
ests of the case. He was then on his way
from his home in New Hampshire.
Cat this point there were visible signs OF
amusement in view of the witness re-
fusals to disclose the name of the sena-
tori, and he stated that he would bring
about an interview with the secretary of
state.
Witness was asked how he came to OBJ
tain scharter under the laws of Georgia,
and explained that in looking about for
the most favorable conditions he heard
Of a charter which had sometime since
been granted to Duff Green, which con-
tained such extraordinarily advantag.
eous features, as allowing the establish
ment of branches at any point in this
country or abroad. They decided to OBJ.
tain the charter and the company is now
acting under this charter. Stock has
been regularly issued, and under the
clause permitting branches, they estab.
lished the headquarters in New York
city.
The witness was again asked if he still
had objections to giving the name of the
senator, and replied: "Since so much
has been said in this connection, perhaps
it would be better that l should right
here and now give the entire history OF
the connection of tho sen.
ator with the Peruvian com.
pany. I have already spoken of his re.
fusal to take retainer. At subsequent
date. having been advised by the secre
tary OF state and several friends. both in
the senate and the house, that this case
could never come before congress, but
would be settled in the state depart.
ment, the senator did take fee as an
attorney for the company, and acted in
that capacity for nearly four months.
His entire connection with the company
was during recess of congress. Short
ly before the reassembling of congress in
December, he had another interview with
me and stated that he was
satisfied that the questions
involved in the affairs of the company
would come before congress in manner
involving legislative action and that he
should not therefore reconcile his posi-
ton as counsel for the company, upon
whose affairs he might be called upon to
pass in the capacity Of United States
senator. He therefore returned
the fees taken, not even reserving what
he had expended in travelling expenses
in the interest of the company. From
that point all connection of the senator
with the affairs Of the Peruvian company
absolutely closed"
The witness was asked If he had ever
had any correspondence with other
foreign ministers of the United
States besides Hurlbut, and
replied that the correspondence
with Hurlbut. and two letters to Gen.
Fitzpatrick, comprised all the correspon.
dence the witness had with foreign min.
listers of the United States abroad.
The witness had personal interview
with General Adams. the Ameri.
can minister to Bolivia, who
was in this country last summer. It
was. however, in no relation to the DOS.
sible establishment of commercial re.
lations between the Peruvian company
and the government of Bolivia. 1t was
HnkA H.