Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-25
THE BRIBERY QUEST.
Newspaper Men Testify Before the
Senate Committee.
HOLLAND" GIVES NAMES.



WASHINGTON. May sL-The Senate
rial Bribery Committee this morning TOOK
up the Sugar Trust feature Of Its investi-
cation. IL was decided 10 do this after a
long discussion among the members OF
the committee, and the first witness call
ed was +. j. Edwards. better known as
Holland" the New York correspondent
OF the Philadelphia Press. II was Mr..
Edwards who made the original ailega-
ton that deal had been entered INTO
between the members OF the Sugar Trust
and certain Democratic senator's by which
the Trust was TO be provided for more
literally. Edwards was questioned par
ticularly with reference to his statement
In the Press that Secretary Carlisle had
participated in a conference where the
sugar schedule was AMENDED at the de-
mand Of the Sugar Trust. and that the
Trust had contributed to the Democratic
campaign fund in consideration OF
promise that its interests should he pro-
tected. He gave some general informa-
ton on these points. but refused 10 give
the sources OF his information. His testi-
mony In the main consisted in a repeu-
lion of the sta>rlntS he had made In
the Press, with >ositive assertions that
he had the best authority for making
them.
NAMES FINALLY GIVEN.
MIR. Edwards finally gave to the commit
tee the names Of the persons who had
told him that the Sugar Trust had con-
tributed 10 the Democratic campaign
fund; but the committee failed signally
at the afternoon session I'm an endeavor
10 obtain from him the name OF his in
formant about the alleged so-called Car
Isle conference. Mr.. Edwards said he
would not disclose this gentleman's name
until he was compelled TO do so, and Sena-
tor Allen told him he could not pltad
privilege except on the ground that his
disclosure would tend 10 incriminate him
self Mr.. Edwards therefore asked that
his examination be suspended until he
could consult his counsel. Judge Often
hoefer. Of New York, and the committee
allowed him 10 go for that purpose.
When he came again. later In the day,
he brought with him his counsel. Judge
Dittenhoefer, of New York. and said that
by the latter's advice he declined to give
the names Of his informants.
The next witness was John s. Shriver,
the Washington correspondent Of the New
York Mall and Express He was ex-
amined In regard to dispatch which APP
pcared in his paper on May 18th. IN
which he stated that a prominent wire
manufacturer, who came TO Washington
TO endeavor to gain hearing before the
Senate FHance Committee, had overheard
conference carried on In n room at
his hotel between senator's and Sugar-Trust
magnates. whose voices he recognized. In
the course OF this conference the wire
man overheard a demand made on the
senators that the trust must be cared for
or the Wilson bill would be killed.
Schriver acknowledged that he had writ
ten the dispatch. but declined TO give any
names. He said the wire man had told
tho story to congressman. and that the
latter had told Schriver and another cor
respondent, but that the Congressman,
while he gave him the story for publ
cation. did not wish 10 be brought into
the scandal or be called upon to testify,
ana mad made the witness promise not
to reveal his name.
The last witness was Harry Walker
the Washington correspondent of the New
YORK Daily America His attention was
called to "A dispatch from Washington in
the Daily America last January in which
1t was stated that Congressman Bourke
Cochran, n member of the Ways and
Means Committee which was then en-
gagged In making up the tariff bill,
was the attorney for the Sugar Trust, and
would endeavor TO have a duty put on
sugar, and Furthermore that he would not
vote for tho bill If sugar were not suiii-
ciently protected.
WALKERS AUTHORITY.
Walker acknowledged that he was the
author or the dispatch, and said that two
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee were his authority. Mr.. Cochran.
said the witness, came 10 see him about
the allegations made, and In the expiana-
tion which the congressman made he
gave Walker information on which he
based dispatch intimating that the
President and Cabinet officer had stated
That the Democratic party was under obli-
cations to the Sugar Trust. Walker said
tnat Cochran had told him that the Presi-
cent and Cabinet officer had made this
statement. Cochran did not mention the
name of the Cabinet officer, but the wit
ness said he subsequently ascertained that
Carlisle was meant.
Walker was also asked with reference
10 statement In another dispatch in
the Daily America that the Sugar Trust
had contributed $4,000 10 the Anti.S nap-
per campaign fund In New York State.
He answered that this information had
come TO him through the man In charge
OF that fund, TO whom he had gone for
verifcation. In this dispatch Walker had
made statement similar to that of
Schriver In the Mail aud Express that
Democratic senator's had been IN con-
sultation with members of the Sugar
Trust at the Arlington. and had yielded
to the demands of the Trust that sugar
should be provided for In the tariff bill.
The unnamed Congressman had told
the story 10 Shriver and himself at the
same time.
Walker also declined to give the names
OF any of the persons connected with
this latter episode. All of the Witnesses
examined to-day will be called to-mor-
row. and the committee will try TO force
them to give the names of their authorl-
ties. Judge Dttenhoefer. counsel for
Edwards. will probably make an argu-
ment before the committee on this mat
ter.