Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-16
BIG FIGURES NAMED.
Jesse SeIigman Gives His Evidence Be
fore the Panama investigation Com
mittes.

fore the Panama Investigation Com
mittes.
NEW YORK, February 15.-Big fig
ures came TO the surface to-day when
the special committee OF the House of
Representatives which is investigating
the American end of the Panama scan
dal, heard the testimony Of Jesse Selig-
man, of j. w. Seligman q Co., one OF
the members of the American commit
tee.
He testified that he first became per-
mrnently connected with the American
Committee OF the Panama Canal Com
pany in March, 1881. His connection
resulted from a suggestion OF the Paris
house of Seligman in behalf OF Ferdl-
nand De Lesseps, that the Seligman's
should act as members of the American
Committee TO protect the interests OF
the canal and secure the neutrality OF
the United States in relation TO it Sim
liar communications were sent 10 DreX-
ell, Morgan 81 Company and Winslow,
Lanier g. Co. 1t was understand that
the members of the committee were TO
receive a compensation. In March,
1881, the American committee was fully
organized with Richard Thompson as
chairman.
What evidence bad you that Mr..
Hayes gave his assent to Mr.. Thomp-
sons accepting the American chairman
ship?"
Nothing except the statement Of
Mr.. Thompson.
"Mr. Hayes never told you SOP"
"No, sir"
The place had been offered by Mr..
Seligman to Gen. Grant, by authority Of
DeLesseps, with salary OF S25, 900 for
his life tine Gen. Grant declining, the
American committee suggested Thomp-
son, and DeLesseps replied that he
would gladly appoint him.
In regard TO the matter OF compensa-
ton, Mr.. Seigman said 1t was first
agreed that 81, 500, 600 was to be divided
among the firms Of Dresel, Morgan &
CS., Winslow, Lanier & Co., and j. 81 w.
Seligman q Co.
For what purpose?" asked Col. Eel
lows.
For the payment OF salaries for our
services. This agreement was subse-
queutly modified"
''Something was to be done for the
remuneration granted" said Col, Fell
lows: Now tell US, Mr.. SeiIgman what
you did to earn your mpensation."
well, we had TO paciiy the Panama
railroad company. They O6structed
the construction Of the canal In many
ways. The opposition Of Columbia had
to be resisted" Mr.. Seligman explain
ed that the American bankers of the
Panoma Canal Company were Seligman
IL Co. 10 all $40, 600, 900 was deposited
there to the credit of the canal com
pany. "And as much disbursed?" ask
ed Mr.. Patterson. SIS there any left
there to the credit of the company
now?" Mr.. Seligman laughed and said
the money was all gone.
Congressman Geary followed as an IN
Quirer. He particularly inquired what
Mr.. Seligman meant when be testified
that one object Of the committee was to
secure for the canal the neutrality OF
governments.
The harmoniZlng Of controversies
and removing Of objections TO the enter
prise, replied Mr.. Seigman.
"Bat how could you, banking house,
secure the neutrality OF q goverumeEt?"
Mr.. Seligman explained that the
idea was that influential banking houses
having representatives. all over the
country might be able to influence pub-
lie opinion. Mr.. Srlgman also testified
that $40. 600 had oeen on deposit TO the
credit of Chairman Thompson in addi-
tion TO the SEQ, 900, 000."
'.WHl your books show how that
amount was expendedY
Yes"
Then those are the books we want. "
Mr.. Seligmsn promised to produce
them.
The committee adjourned to meet
next in Washington.