The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-23
To BE EsTIGATED.
The senate Passes the Lodge Bribery
Bill.

The senate Passes the Lodge Bribery
WASHINGTON. May 17-There was
tons threatening a storm when the SEN
ate met today.
The Looge tariff bribery and sugar in
vestigatfng resolution, which came over
from yesterday was then laid before
the senate by President Stevenson
and Mr.. Lodge took the floor. On Mon
day. he said. an article had appeared in
the Philadelphia Press charging that
enormous profit would accrue to the
sugar trust by the fixing of the date
when the sugar schedule would go into
effect at Jan. 1. which profit was esti-
mated at s5O.0OO.OOO.
It charged that his schedule was ex-
acted by the trust in fulfllment Of
pledges made during the campaign of
1892 II also charged that the Jones
amendments We're in the hands Of firm
Of New York brokers. whose names were
given. at the very time when their ex-
bAenze was denied by the chairman Of
the finance committee and others. These
charges were made by Z. ]. Edwards. a
well known newspaper man, who wrote
over the nom de plume of Holland. If
there were any truth in them the public
ought to know it, il false. they consti-
tuted a libel of the grOssest kind. On
yesterday New York paper from its
correspondent here had printed a story
of an alleged attempt to bride United
States senators that had since been con-
firmed by an interview with one of the
senators.
Mr. Hunton said that as his name had
been connected with the charges ne de-
sired to say that he hoped they would
be investigated to the lowest depths. 1t
was not becoming in him to say more
than this at this time. As a matter Of fact
he had never been approached at all. He
Ielt annoyed that any one should sup
pose that he could have been bribed,
especially in the form it was made.
through a welI-beloved son, who stood
as high above anything of the sort as
he Senator Hunton) claimed to be.
Mr.. Cockren suggested that the reso-
luton be amended so that the inquiry
relating to the sugar trust should extend
10 contributions to any political party
for campaign purposes. Mr.. Lodge de-
clared that he would cheerfully accept
the amendment
A Denial for ButtZ.
MIR. Hansbrough said that as c. w
futtz OF Ransom county. North Dakota,
one Of his constituents, was charged with
having made the attempt at bribery, he
desired to make a statement. Mr.. Buttz
had called upon him last night for a
conference and had concluded that the
best thing to do would be to court the
fullest investigation.
Mr.. Cockrell suggested another amend
ment TO include after the words sugar
trust "or any persons connected there
with and also after the words money
paid for campaign purposes" "or to Sc
cure legislation"
Mr. Lodge accepted this amendment
also.
Mr.. Allen thought the scope of the res
olution should be brOadened so as to in
clude the investigation of the charges
going the rounds Of the newspapers that
senators had been specializing in sugar
stock There was no response to Mr.. AL
lens suggestion.
Mr. Chandler wanted to amend the res
olution so 10 include money paid by
the sugar trust not only for campaign,
but for "other election purposes" He
had reason to believe, he said, that
money had been used by the sugar trust
10 elect United States senator's Mr.
Lodge accepted this amendment also.
Mr.. Faulkner asked that a clause be
added TO the resolution so as to give the
investigating committee jurisdiction to
investigate and report on any other
charges that might be preferred before
the committee against senators, alleging
corrupting influences in connection with
the tariff bin.
Mr.. Lodge indicated a willingness to
accept this amendment.
Mr.. Quay asked that Mr.. FauIkner's
amendment be modified so as to give the
committee jurisdiction not only of
charges in connection with the tariff, but
of all legislation. This suggestion failed
10 secure approval
The Resolution as Adopted.
AS no response had been made to Mr.
Aliens insinuation about senators spec
ulating in sugar stock during the consid-
GRAFTON of the tariff bill. he presented at
this point a formal amendment to in
clude these charges in the inquiry. 1t
was accepted by Mr.. Lodge and then,
without division, just as the rnornine z
hour expired, the resolution was adopted.
As amended the resolution is as follows:
Whereas. 1t has been stated in the
Sun, a newspaper published in New
York. that brides have been offered to
against the pending tariff bill; and,
Whereas, 1t has also been stated in a
signed article in the Press. a newspaper
published in Philadelphia, that the sugar
schedule was made up as II now stands
In the proposed amendment in cOnsidera-
ton Of the large sum money paid for
campaign purposes of the democratic
party; therefore,
Resolved, That a committee of five
senator's be appointed to investigate
these charges and to inquire further
whether any contributions have been
made by the sugar trust or any person
connected Herewith, to any political
party for campaign or election purposes
or TO secure or defeat legislation, and
whether any senator has been or is spec
ulating In what are known as sugar
stocks during the consideration of the
tariff bill now before the senate, and
with power to send for persons and pa
pers and to administer oaths.
Resolved. further. That the committee
be authorized to investigate and report
nnou any charge or charges which may