The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-05-31

Ts,e Washlngtons Correspondents Decline
! TO Testify-Thclr Attorney Appeared Il,
fore the Committee and Argued Tint the
CoEmittee Had No Authority to Compel
| His Clients to Answer.
, WAsHISGToS, May 26.-The senate
rial bribery committee continued its
inquiry Friday into the allegations con-
corning the sugar trust and it's connec-
ton with the tariff bill.
John Fl. Shriver, the Washington cor
respondent of the New York Mail and
Express, was the first witness called,
and the committee endeavored to ascer-
tain from him something more about
the identity Of the wire manufacturer
who appeared in dispatch sent by Mr..
Shriver to his paper as the authority
for y statement that certain democratic
senators had acceded to the demands Of
representatives of the sugar trust OF a
conference sat the Arlington hotel in
this city. Mr.. Shriver refused to give
any information whatever on this
point, and said he would abide the con-
sequences.
He was told that nc might place his
liberty in jeopardy by the refusal. Mr..
Shriver informed the committee that
he had retained Judge Dittcnhoefer. of
New York, who also represents cores
pendent Edwards. Of the Philadelphia
Press. as his counsel, and, under his
advice, he would refuse to answer qucs-
tions concerning news matter given
him in confidence. Mr.. Shriver was
thereupon dismissed for the present
judge Dittenhoefcr, accompanied by
Correspondent Edwards. then appeared
before the committee and argued that
the committee had NO authority TO
compel His clients to answer. tie gave
the committee some advice as to the
method of conducting the examination,
and cited the case OF Ilallet kilbonrn
in support of his contention that the
committee had 10 right to con'pcl q
witness to answer by jcopardizing his
liberty.
Judge Dittcnhefcr claimed that there
were three grounds only which would
Justify person in telling matters given
him in confidence, namely, to save his
country from treason to save human
life from the gallows, and to save
woman's honor. These he said we're
highly moral if not legal grounds.
At the conclusion of his argument
! the committee held q short conference
as to measures for obtaining informa-
ton from unwilling witnesses, and
then recalled Edv ards. His eXamina-
ton was conducted with view to Sc
curing direct statements that ne would
not give the committee the names OF
| persons who had furnished him with
| confidential information on which he
based his allegations concerning the
sugar trust and the tariff bill.
1t is evident that the committee is
securing these negative answers to
fortify itself in reporting the present
aspect of the investigation to the scr
ate.
Mr.. Shriver was then recalled, and
he also refused to answer the questions
about the identity OF the wire manu-
facturer who is alleged to have over
heard a conference between democrat
ic senators and members OF the sugar
trust. in which the sugar schedule OF
the tariff bill was fixed up.
| Mr.. Harry Walker, correspondent OF
the New York Daily America. was also
recalled, but he was given respite un'
til Monday on his explanation that he
desired to be represented by counsel
as the other witnesses had leen.
The afternoon session Of the commit
tee was devoted to a consideration OF
the question as to what means should
be taken to compel witnesses to answer
questions. The kilborrn case proved
q snag, and there vas considerable dl
versity Of opinion as to what could be
done in view of the decision sustainir.
Kilbourn in refusing to answer ques
tons put to him by {. senate committee
1t was finally agreed to let the matter
20 over until Saturday, when the com
mittee will endeavor to reach conclu
sion.