The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-21
THE PANAMA INQUIRY
Ex-Secretary Thompson Testi-
1ies on American Work.
NOTHING CROOKED ABOUT IT.
Colombia Grants Extension Of Time
Queen Lu's Envey Admits That
Her Case Il hopeless.

TERRE HAurE, Feb. O.-The Panama
congressional investigating committee ar
rived this morning and began tax
ing the evidence OF ex-Secretary OF
the Navy Thompson in private. The
ex-secretary first detailed the circum-
stances of his resignation. saying it was
publicly done, and further that he met
with no opposition from President
Hayes when he approached him
regarding the matter. The first offer
of the American Craftsmanship was
made to him by Jesse w. Seligman in 1880
and was not accepted until after . full
conference with his friends and the presi-
dent and tho determination ON his part
that there was nothing in it inimical to
the interests Of the United States. He de-
MED that Hayes administration was OPP
posed to the canal, but did want it under
American control He had an idea when he
accepted the Craftsmanship. of American
izing the affair and tried to get an Ameri-
The entire administration, a. far a. he
knew. of the affairs of the American com
mittee, was conducted on the strictest
business principles.
He did not know what the duties of the
sentatives were members with him of the
American committee, and he was much
surprised as chairman of the committee
when he learned within week that they
had been getting $4,000 q year. or twice
his own salary, for their SER
vices in this country. Col Thompson
denied that the Panama Canal Company
had lobby at Washington City either to
procure favorable legislation for the Pam
anna canal or to fight the Nicara-
qua people, said that he kept clear
of the lobbyists and that there was
no improper expenditure of money
as far as he was aware. Col. Thompson
said when the Nicaragua treaty was before
the senate. all he did was to write q pam.
phlet against it which he placed in the
hands of all senators. Senator S. G. Voor-
hees was the only one who knew he wrote
it. He did not sign his name to it,
because he did not want the Panama canal
antagonized, 50 he had it appear anony-
mously. The senate defeated the treaty.
The committee brought with it q letter
press copy of all correspondence between
Thompson and De Lesseps. and the wit
ness was asked to explain number of let
tiers. One of them was from Thompson to
De Lesseps in February, 1856, and it said:
1t is difficult to convey to you full under
standing of how We have conducted this con-
test, and We must be very cautious.
Congressman Storer, of Ohio. read from
letter in which Col. Thompson told De
Lesseps he believed q large expenditure of
money for materials in this country would
help popularize the canal, which be-
lief he emphasized today. In another
letter he referred to overcoming
difficulties" This, he said. meant such
difficulties as the Nicaragua people were
responsible for, but that nothing but
legitimate means were used in doing so.
He denied that any money had been spent
with his knowledge to influence news
papers.
Colombia has granted a temporary extern
sion of time to the Panama canal conces-
sion. The extension is until March 5.
Monchicourt, iquidator. expects that the
negotiations in progress with the Colon
bian government will result in definitely
prOlonging the concession.