The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-30
THE BRIBERY
INVESTIGATION
Committee Makes a Report Of the Result Of
Their LabOTS.
who Started The SUGAR STORY?
Mr.. Hill Doubts the Propriety of
Trying to Find Out Whether News
paper Men Can Tell the Truth-The
Hawaiian Question Looms Up
Again-Amendments Offered to the
Tariff Bill.
WASHINGTON. Nav %.

w ASHlNGTON, May HJ
0PHE morning hour Tor rather half
hour) in the senate today was
consumed in an attempt to OBJ
u tain action on the Hawaiian
resolution of Mr.. Turpie Dem, Ind },
reported some months ago by the com.
mittee on foreign relations. Amend
nents 10 it were offered by Mr.. PETER
Pop. Kan and Mr.. Vest Dem. NO..
Mr., Vests amendment declared in
favor of letting the people of the Sand
wich islands choose their own form OF
government and line of policy was laid
on the table by vote OF 38 to 19.
The tariff bill was taken up at 10 30
and motion was made by Mr.. PETER
to lay it aside temporarily and to re.
sumo consideration of the Hawaiian
resolution. This was defeated by a
party vote; yeas. 20; nays, 49, The
twenty-sight negative votes were cast
by the Democrats. and the twenty-six
affirmative votes by the Republicans,
and Messrs Allen. Kyle and PETER rs
Populists.
Speeches in opposition to the bill
were made by Senator Proctor, (Ver.
mont, and Senator Pettigrew, (South
Dakota) At the close of Mr.. Petit
CREWS remarks Senator Gray. (Dela-
ware). chairman Of the senate select
committee to investigate newspaper
statements as to senators specializing
in the stock of the Sugar Trust, made
report that the newspaper cores.
pondents. on whose statements the in
quiry had been ordered, had refused to
answer certain questions. and had also
refused to reveal the sources of their
information. The point was raised
and pressed by Mr.. Hill, (New York;
that the report presented no question
Of privilege.
MR. HILLS ARGUMENT.
Mr. Hill argued that the senate had
right to direct the presiding officer
not to proceed further in the matter
until after further action Of the senate.
He had no sort of interest. personal or
otherwise, he said in the investigation.
1t was proper enough that the senate
should investigate the charge OF bri b.
cry. But the report on that question had
been presented and that portion Of the
work had been substantially completed
He doubted the wisdom of the other
proceeding. He doubted the propriety
of endeavoring to find out whether
newspaper men always told the truth.
If the senate understood that great
work it would be kept busy the end of
time. Senators could speculate in sugar
stock, or in silver or in any other kind
Of stock, and would violate no law In
doing so.
To u remark by Mr.. Gray, Mr.. Hill
replied that the senators referred to by
tue newspaper men could be placed
upon the stand.
They are the accused parties" Mr..
Gray objected.
"They are not accused in any sense
Of crime in law" said Mr.. Hill
This subject is being investigated for
the purpose of vindicating this senate
for the purpose Of ascertainiug the
truth. The best way if you desire to
90 into the inquiry is to summon sena.
tors"
How are we to ascertain" Mr.. Al
len asked, who they are, when the
witnesses refuse to disclose their names
or the sources of their information.
Swear them all if you have any
doubt about it," Mr.. Hill replied with
snap, and the gallsries applauded.
REPORT REQUIRED NO ACTION
The discussion continued for some
time in the above strain but finally
Mr.. Hills opposition was overborne,
and ruling made by the vice-presi-
dent that the question was one of high
privilege, and that the report required
no action on the part Of the senate
the statute making it his duty to GER
tify the facts to the district attorney,
who is then to take action in the prem
ises. And there the matter stood ut
the adjournment with an additional
resolution offered by MIR. Dolph. Ore
gon, for the presentation Of the recall
citTant witnesses at the bar Of the SEN
ate for contempt OF its authority.
The amendments that were offered
to the lumber schedule Of tho tariff
bill on Monday by Mr.. Hale Maine,
restoring the provisions of the existing
law as to sawed and dressed lumber,
and by Mr.. PETER, Kansas, to reduce
these duties by one half, and to place
undressed lumber on the free list, were
severally voted down, and an amend
ment by Mr.. Allen. Nebraska, to put
logs, lumber, shingles and common
building materials on the free list was
pending when the senate at 6.25 ad-
ionrnad rnti1 Thursd,,