New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-16
VAN BENTHUYSEN RELIEVED.
SHUTTING OFF PAN-ELECTRIC LIGHT.
PARTY VOTE II THE COMMITTEE" iIChELEU "
ROBiNsoN'S FyPLtNATfON.
IBY TELgGRAPH TO TIE TaTECSR1

tBf TELEGRAPH TO TIE THfDcSEI
WASHINGTON, April 1j.-Citizen Van Ben
thuyssn In subdued frame of mind to-day and no
answered with a fair degrees of relevancy and prompt
ness the questions asked by Mr. Ranney and other mem
bers OF IKE cnmnttoe Mr.. Ranuey's attempt to bring
out the fact that IN the peuiIng suit between
the National Improved and Bell companies a.,
New Orleans all the testimony has been adduced that
can be used the nmont suit both 20 alleged
frauI in the OF IL. Boil patent and the validity OF
that patent other grounds and therefore, that there
Is proprioty in bringing and prosecuting SUIT at the
expense OF tho United states Treasury. met with
prompt objection by M Eden and other Democratic
members Of the committee After long discussion the
question was oyerrued by strictly party vote all the
Democrats voting against Dir. Ranney.
Mr.. Van Benthuyscn went ont Of hls way to testify
that Mr. Garands statement IN his letter to the Pres
dent that the application to him as Att0rney-Gonera
to bring suit was made IN behalf OF the Electric
Company was Incorrect Tho witness also testified that
the word Pan Electric toned or dreamed
Of " during the interview with Mr.. Garland aud that
the only person present who was Interested
was Casey Young who kept aside and said nothing
while the lawyers, CAN'T and Van Brierson. did
all the talking. Mr. Van Benthuysen, perhaps never
knew had forgotten, that CAN'T ut that time In
Washington an attorney OF tho PanEectric Company
to watch It's interests. and that no was, moreover,
stocRhoder the Pan Electric Company. Mr. Garland
must nave known these facts certainly at the time
we're received without much question. The
Only statement that he made which should
have aroused any suspicion OF his candor
any doubt the OF his memory was the
one TO the fleet that Dr. Rogers brought him the manu-
script OF poem on Ireland and he found time or
inclination read any more OF u than the title.
Arer the decision Of the committee against Mr. Ran
ne the latter turned attention to the Withdrawal OF
Van Benysc application and the witness SAID that
the object Of MS visit to the AtorneyGonora was sim
ply for the purpose of asking him 70 act upon the
recommends % D.strct-Atorney that suit be
Brought without seferrn IL to the Interior Department
Mr. Van ftsisrsQn made the request but the Attorney
had refused to have anything 10 DO win IT,
Tne witness denied that anybody uttered rdn Fec Zee,
me 10 the A'torney y" rc d az lie istake
made by Mr. Garland when he stated In his letter tna1
he had been approached Dy somebody connected Win
the Pan-Elcctric. NOBODY connected VITA the ran
Electric except Nr Young accompanied the witness to
the Department Of Justice, aud not aword was sald
Mr. Van BeutLuyseu took up the supplemental agree
men closely, held 1t up TO lee the HIGHT pass
had possession OF the committee since its
Introduction he would not swear to Il, an getting
Mr.. Ranney inquired why the supplemental agreement
had been sneJ r. as he lai SAID the orsina eo1tthct
he had understood 1t was all right-that they were Just
waiting to get II signed.
The committee this point had another long discus
sion the NewOreanS record during the course OF
which the witness INTERCEPTED the remark that IS rep
resentatve OF the New Orleans company ne should say
thai 1t none of the committees business
castically commented Mr. Hanback, referring 10 the
deafness of the witness) "IIe has the most accoInmo
datiUg set Of elrs ever saw"
Ex-Rcpresc tative Rchelieu Robinson. OF New-York
read ement that part OF DR.. Rogers
testimony referring his acceptance or stock. the
statement t. the effect that Rogers had handed
I'm some poetry ireland with the remark that the ac
companying papers only mt for the waste basket
ami what became Of the papers he did not know. lie
had never received any Ock while member or Con
gress IIc had reduced n resolution looking TO the
appointment OF young Rogers House Electrician
principally upon the recommendation OF Professor
Henry Perhaps d.. Rogers had handed him the resolu
ton, but his memory not strong on That point