The record-union., 1894-05-18

WASHINGTON, May 17.-There was an
area of low barometer and indications
threatening storm when the Senate met
to-day. Mr.. Morgan opened the proceed
ings by offering a resolution, which, after
recting the existence of the Sherman
ANTITRUST law of June 2, 1892, and the
alleged existence OF a sugar trust called
on the Attorney-Generalf for information
as to whether any proceedings were
pending against such corporations; II so,
what stage they had reached; if not,
whether, in his opinion, there was any
defect in the antitrust law.
The Lodge tariff bribery and sugar in
yestigation resolution which came over
from Yesterday was then laid before the
Senate,bylVice-P President stevenson, and
Mr.. Lodge took the floor. On Monday,
he said, an article had appeared in the
Philadelphia Press charging that enor-
nous profit would accrue to the sugar
trust by the fixing of the date when the
sugar schedule would GO into effect Janu-
ary lst, which profit was estimated at
$50 900, 600. 1t charged that the schedule
was exacted by the trust in fultillment OF
pledges made to it during the campaign
of 1892. 1t also charged that the Jones
amendments were in the hands OF hrm
OF NEW 1OIh DEOk6ISt WAOSO AhiASS "CAO
given at the very time when their exist
ence was denied by the Chairman OF the
Finance Committee and others. These
charges were made by l.. J. Edwards,
Well-known newspaper man, who
wrote over the nom de plume OF Holland.
If there was any truth in it, the public
ought to know it; if false. they constl-
! tuIed libel OF the grossest kind. On
yesterday a New York paper, from Its
correspondent here, had printed a story
of alleged attempt TO bribe Senators, that
since had been confirmed by an interview
with one OF the Senators.
Hunton (Dem.) of Virginia said as his
name had been connected with the
charges he desired to say he hoped they
would be investigated to the lowest
depth. 1t was not becoming in him TO
say more than this at this time. As a
matter of fact, ne had never been ap-
preached at all. He felt annoyed that
anyone should suppose he could have
been bribed, and especially in the form in
which the attempt was. made. through q
well-Deloved son, who stood as nigh
above anything OF the sort as he (Senator
Hunton) claimed to be.
Cockrell of Missouri suggested that the
resolution be amended SO the inquiry re-
lating to the sugar trust should exteud to
contributions from any political party for
campaign purposes.
fully accept the amendment.
Hansbrough (Rep.) of North Dakota
said that as C. w. Buttz of Hanson
County, North Dakota, one of his con-
stituents, was charged with having made
the attempt, he desired to make a state
ment. Mr.. BultZ called upon him last
night for a conference, and concluded that
the best thing to do would be TO court the
fullesI investigation. He had letter
from Bultz which he desired TO have
read in the Senate. and he sent it to the
clerks desk.
The letter asks that the Senators from
North Dakota demand speedy investi-
CATION, which, so far as the newspapers
which published them are concerned,
Bultz stigmatizes as talsehoods and slam
der. utterly without foundation.
CockrelI suggested another amendment
to include after the words, Sugar trust"
''or any persons connected Herewith, -
and also after the words, Money paid
for campaign purposes" s'or to secure
legislation"
Lodge accepted this amendment also,
Allen thought the scope of the resolu-
ton should be made so as to include an
Investigation of the charges going the
rounds of the newspapers that Senators
had been specializing in sugar stock.
There was no response to Mr.. Aliens
suggestion.
ton so as to include money paid by the
sugar trust, not only for campaign but
for election purposes. He had occasion
to believe all he said, that money has
been used by the sugar trust to elect
United States Senator'S.
Lodge accepted this amendment also.
Faulkner of West Virginia asked that
clause be added to the resolution SO as
to give the investigation committee juris-
diction to investigate and report any
other charges that might be preferred
against Senators alleging corruptionist
practices.
Lodge indicated willingness to accept
the amendment.
Quay asked that Faulkner,s amend
ment be modified so as to give the COM
lnittee the jurisdiction not only of the
charges in connection with the tariff bill !,
but of all legislation.
The suggestion failed to secure ap-
proval.
AS no response had been made to
Aliens insinuation about Senators spec
ulating in sugar stock during the consid-
Grafton of the tariff BILL he presented at
this point formal amendment to in
clude the charges in the inquiry. 1t was
accepted by Lodge, and then, without di-
vision, just as the morning hour expired,
the resolution was adopted.
AS amended the resolution is as fol-
lows:
..WHEREAs, It has been stated in the
san, q newspaper published in New
York, that bribes have been offered TO
certain Senators TO induce them to vote
against the pending tariff bill; and where
as 1t has also been stated in similar
article in the Press. newspaper pub
lished in Philadelphia, that the sugar
schedule has been made up as it stands in
the proposed amendment in consdera-
ton OF large sum of money paid Tor the
campaign purposes of the Democratic
party, therefore, be 1t
"lleS0tUed, That's committee of five Sen-
ators 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 CAM
paign or election purposes. or TO secure
or defeat legislation, and whether any
Senator is or has been specializing in
what is known as sugar stocks during
the consideration OF the tariff bill before
the senate, and with power to send for
persons and papers and to administer
oaths.
..Resolred, Further, that said commit
tee be authorized TO investigate and re-
port upon any charge or charges which
may be filed before it. alleging that the
action OF any Senator has been corruptly
or improperly influenced in the consider
alton of said bill, or that any attempt has
been made to influence legislation.n
The bribery question was disposed oi
for the time being, and the tariff bill
taken up, and Gallinger, for an hour and
quarter, continued his review of gen.
eraI tariff legislation. He then yielded
to Higgins, who spoke aI length on the
effect of protection prices.
At $50 the Vice President announced
the appointment OF. the following COM
mittee, in accordance with the terms o.
the Lodge resolution: Messrs. Gray,
Lindsay, Lodge. Allen and Davis.
g -, ,.I-E ovri, l,uI a ar6