Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-01
The whisky Ring nyesti9atfOu.

The Whisky Ring Inve&tig cation.
MR. ATHERToNs TEsTINoNY-HR DECLINES TO GIVE
THE NApEs OF THE MEN WHO APPROACHED HIM
IN THIS CITY.
The investigation OF the so-called whisky ring
was resumed by the Senate committee this morn
Ing. Mr.. j. M. AthertOn, the Louisville distiller
who was reported as having said that he was ap-
preached by certain newspaper correspondents On
the subject OF the bond extension bill and threat
ened with their opposition unless he employed
them. was the only witness examined. He de-
cLred emphatically that he had never been ap-
preached, directly or Indirectly by any newspaper
correspondent or any person connected with
newspaper. He had not made any such statement,
and the report attr1butng It to him was errone-
Gus. While in Washington some weeks ago he was
APPROACHED BY CERTAIN GENTLEMEN
who proposed to assist In presenting and pushing
the bond extension bill but he declined their Offer
saying that the dlstillers had already employed
counsel. and had no money to employ more, even
II they needed more. These gentlemen, said the
Witness made no threats at all. The witness de-
chned to give the names Of the parties who spoke
70 him, saying there was nothing improper In the
conversation. and he would not mix their names
up In the matter.
Senator Cockrell insisted upon having the names,
but
Mr. Cockrel said If there was nothing improper In
the proposal OF the parties harm could come from
mentioning their names, but the witness said it
would mix them up with the investigation, and
might subject them to censure, and probably do
them injury; that was his reason for Withholding
the names He declared that neither the name OF
mentioned IN the conversation 'It was,n he con-
unued, "a plain business proposition, and it was
added the Wtnes that hS te ne
had inspired the attack in the New York Herald
upon the Dill he would give their names, but he
didn't believe they had anything to do with 1t.
TRYING TO CONVINCE THE WITNESS
MeSSrS. COckrpll. HaWlev and Wfndouo fad
70 convince the witness that 1t was his duty to
give the names; that II the proposition was a
legitimate one no harm could come from pub
hcity, and that as the reports Of an alleged at
tempt to blackmail the whisky men had grown out
OF statements made by the witness himself, it was
clearly his duty TO give the committee all the
names and facts In order that the whole truth
might be known, and any unjust suspicious or
conclusions that may exist in the public mind may
The witness persisted that it would be unjust to
the gentlemen who had spoken to him to mention
proper in their proposal He said the report OF
what he had ssid after leaving Washington was
greatly h and he was not responsible
the men who approached him
"LOBBYIsTs.n
Mr.. COckrell said he would insist upon using the
powers OF the committee to compel the witness to
give the names
Mr.. Hawley said the committee had reached q
With the lobby, where men interested In legisla-
ton were threatened with opposition through the
press and otherwise because they refused 70 en-
ploy persons approaching them, and he would like
10 get at the bottom OF this matter.
This point was then passed over temporarily the
chairman saying the committee would decide upOn
what course to take.
ACTION OF THE LOUISVILLE WHISKY DEALERs
Mr.. Atherton submitted paper showing that
the whisky dealers Of Louisville, at q meeting
held In that city in April last, agreed to raise
S,OCO as their share towards presenting legisla-
IT, to Congress. They raised $4,000 and It was
sent, he said, to Mr.. Shufeldt, president OF the
Liquor Dealers association. The witness ex-
Riliaed tnat some distiliers We're more interested
Ia reduction or the tax TO fifty cents per gallon
than In the bond extension, and to harInOnIze
matters It was agreed to prese both subjects to
COngreSS-that OF the lndefn te extension OF the
bonded period and that OF tax reduction He said
the Louisville dealers thought their share OF the
expenses a,5 IN y presenting and urgng this legisa
1t but only collected a 600 He did not know how
the money was used.
morrow without taking formal action with regard
TO Mr. Atherton's refusal to give the names OF the
parties who offered to assist In passing the bond
extension bill, but the Indications are that they
VIII insist upon the question being answered.
SECRETARY CHANDLER will attend the GRADUATE
ing exercises at the naval academy probably on the
closing day. He win make a short visit tn Con-
cord, New Hampshire, during the second week in
June, TO attend to some law business.
Col AMOS WEBSTER entered upon the onicial
discharge OF his dot: Chief clerk OF the Treas
ury department to-day. beautiful floral horse
shoe WIS placed upon his desk this morning
by friend.
ATTORNEY GENERAL BREWSTER is expected To
return thts evening from New York.
LIEUTENANT HARBER and Master Schuetzc have