Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-06-01
BUTTE IS GUILTY.
So Say the Senate
Committee.
Offered $4,000 te Senator
Hunton to Vote Against Tariff.

The special senate committee to investigate
the charges OF attempted sensational bribery
on the part Of G. W. Butt submitted their
report to the senate. BUTT j. found by the
committee to have made the attempt at hrib-
ery despite his denial and Sens. Hunton and
KYLE are exonerated from all blame.
Among other things the report says ut
appears from the testimony submitted that
G. W. Buttz, domiciled In Washington since
December last. where he has been engaged
as a lobbyist and claim agent, did on or
about the first OF April Of this year, at the
house Of Senator Hunton in Warronton, Va,
during the absence OF the senator, say to his
son, Eppa Hunton. Jr., that he would pay
him n contingent fee OF f25, 900. If he would,
by presenting arguments IA to the sending
tariff bill, induce his father Senator Hnnton,
to vote against 1t.
"This offer was declined at once, and per-
emptorily by Eppa Huuton, Jr.. as set forth
In his testimony, and the whole matter was
communicated by him to his father. Senator
Hunton awaited himself Of the first oppOltu-
nity to disclose the matter TO certain of his
friends in the senate ~ appears In the testi-
mony, and was in no other way connected
with the transaction. 1t Is also established
bv the testimony that the same G. w. Butt2,
during the month Of March last past, APP
prOached Senator Kyle of South Dakota with
n proposition that sl4 600 would be paid to
him senator Kyle) II he would vote against
the pending tariff bill.
"Buttz when making this proposition, also
stated to Senator Kyle thatthe money was III
the hands or control OF an agent OF certain
bankers and capitalists Of New York city, and
that the money was In Washington. Senator
Kyle's testimony Is confirmed by that of Mr..
Duncan McFarane, clerk to the COMMITTEES
on education and labor. The senator Is shown
by the teitmOny to have communicated this
interview with Butt2 and the offer made to
him to several senators shortly after the in
terview took place.
,,.YOur committee arenbundanty justified In
stating that the facts above recited have been
established by the evidence notwithstanding
the denial on the part Of l}uttZ and they refer
| the senate to the testimony In detail in sup
port Of this finding.
.'Your committee find nothing from their
| investigation to impeach, in the least degree,
| the honor or character of Senators HTntOn
| and Kyle.
"There IL no evidence to show the truth OF
| Mr.. BUTTS statements to Senator Kyle and to
! Mr.. Eppa Hunton, Jr., that syndicate OF
bankers and capitalists had raised a sum OF
money to be used for the purpose Of defeat
! ing the pending tariff bill, or that there
| was an agent of such q syndicate In
| Washington, or that any money was in Wash
| ington for that purpose. Buttz denies that
| he made any such statement or that he had
| or has any knowledge Of the existence OF
! such syndicate, or that he was the agent OF
representative Of any one He further de-
| nies that he had any money himself.
''Your committee are compelled, upon all
the ssidence submitted to them, to the con
| cusion that the statements OF Charles W
Buttz are wholly untrustworthy.