The Indianapolis journal., 1894-06-16
Mr.. Brice Subjected to String of Ques-
tions as to Purchase of Stocks
and Other Matters.
REPORTERS STORIES UNTRUE
He Has Not Speculated in Stocks
Since He Became Senator.
Hill Also Closely Examined, and, Like
the 0hiOan, Said He Had Nothing to
Do with Sugar Shares.

WASHINGTON, June 15.-The presence
of Theodore Havemyer, vice president OF
the Sugar Trust, in the city caused the
Senate investigating committee to change
its plans for to-day and to put Mr.. Have
myer on the stand instead OF beginning the
examination of the members of the Sen
ate, as had been contemplated. The ques-
tions in the first part of the inquiry were
very similar to those asked of II. o. Have
myer and Mr.. Searles, but the answers
were not in all cases so specific, because the
witness OF to-day has not been SO active
in the management of the affairs Of the
company as has his brother and Mr.
Searles Mr.. Havemyer's examination oc-
cupied only a short time. The committee
did not think that the testimony was Of
particular Importance or that it developed
any facts that have not been brought out
After Mr.. Havemyer had been dismissed
each member of the committee submitted
to be catechized in the most comprehen-
sive manner as to whether he knew any
corrupt propositions made in relation to
the sugar schedule, or whether they had
been interested in any way in speculation
in Sugar stocks The denials were as
sweeping as the interroga tions.
Senator Brice was detained longer before
the committee than any other OF the Sena-
tors. He reiterated his declaration IN his
letter to Chairman Gray, in which he had
said that he had not bought or sold a single
share of Sugar stock, or dealt in industrial
stocks of any kind. He declared: "Since
entering the Senate have not been con-
cerned in any way. directly or indirectly,
In any property, securities, stocks, invest
ments or speculations In anything that is
mentioned in the tariff BILL from the first
line to the end of the free list, with the ex-
ception Of some local manufacturing estab-
lishments in Lima and adjoining towns in
Ohio. In other words. my investments and
the things with which L am concerned are
not connected with or affected by the op-
erations of the tariff act, except as the gen.
eral prosperity of the country is" Mr..
Brice denied in general terms the allega-
tons contained In the newspaper articles
which are the basis OF the investigation. The
testimony of Mr. Brice corroborated that of
Messrs. Terrell. Havemyer and Reed as to
the occurrences in the room at the Airing
ton.
Senator Lodge-Did Mr.. Havemyer say
anything about obligations of the party for
gift of money?
Senator Brice-Absolutely nothing in any
way There was no reference to it in
words or in intimation.
Mr.. Brice was very explicit and emphatic
in his denial of any knowledge of campaign
contributions from the Sugar Trust He
knew nothing of the contributions in 1892
and he did not think Mr. German did
Previous to July l, 1892, when he was in
charge. there were no contributions from the
Sugar Trust or any one connected with it
so far as he knew. He never attended a
meeting on Benedict'S yacht at which
pledges were made to the sugar interest
Senator Hill was detained in the room
of the committee on investigation longer
than some other Senators. In addition to
the questions as to whether he had speed
lated In sugar or owned Sugar stock, which
were answered in the negative, Senator Hill
was questioned in regard to the meeting
at the residence of Senator Brice, when
the sugar question was discussed. He said
that he was present at that time, and lis
tened to the Louisiana Senator, who ex-
planned the sugar duties and told what was
needed. but he did not remember seeing
Havemyer there. There was more less
discussion of the sugar schedule by others
present and all listened to the Louisiana
Senator'S. II did most of the listening" !"
said Mr.. Hill He also answered questions
regarding the visit Of Mr.. Havemyer to
his room, when the latter asked him to
interest himself in behalf of sugar duty.
Mr.. Hill said that Mr.. Havemyer would,
no doubt, remember the details of the in
terview much better than he, as many peo-
pie were calling upon him at that time in
relation to the New York State affairs, and
he could not remember all the requests
made upon him. He did remember to have
told Mr.. Havemyer that he was more in
terested in the income tax than any other
| feature of the bill.
Besides the members Of the committee,
| the Senators examined to-day were Messrs.
| Aldrich, Allison. Bate. Berry, Blackburn,
| blanchard. Brice. Call. Camden. Carey.
| Chandler. Cockrell, Coke. Cullom. Daniel,
| Davis, Dixon, Dolph, Dubois, Faulkner,
Hansbrough. Hans % Harris, Hawiey, Higgins, Hili
Hoar and Hunton.