The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-02
MCPHERSON DEALT In SUGAR
the Senator Admits that He Bought Ger
tiacateS On Several Occasions.
TRUST TRIED. TO BUY WARMERS VOTE
It IL Understood that the Congressman
Practically Admits the Truth OF the
Published Statements.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-The Senate
committee now engaged in examining into
the alleged statements that the Sugar
Trust interfered in the construction Of
the sugar schedule OF the pending tariff
bill, and that various senators have been
speculating In stocks. have become tired
of their Intellectual efforts to keep their
proceedings secret, and have decided that
as fast as the stenographer can prepare
his copy they will report it to the Senate
and have 1t printed. Much that was con-
cealed from the press yesterday came to
the surface to-day.
SENATOR MPHKBsoN's ADMISSIONS.
Senator Mcpherson stated to the COM
mittee yesterday that he had purchased
LOCO shares of sugar certificates, but thdI
he promptly transferred them TO his son.
1t also developed that the Senator had
purchased a block Of five hundred shares.
he said that one evening he ana his
son were discussing the advisability OF
investing In some stocks. The Senator
denied that he specuated In the sense
that the word Is generally used. lie
bought the certificates outright, but Of
course when their value increased TO an
extent to justify ii he sold the stock for
the profit there was in II. on this occa-
sion he and his son decided that 1t would
be good thing TO own more sugar GER
tihcates. and they accordingly wrote out
a telegram to the broker, directing him
to purchase five hundred shares OF sugar
for them. This telegram, Mr.. McPher-
son said, was laid on the table. and they
proceeded to discuss the matter further.
The result was that ii was agreed that
1t would be improper for the Senator to
invest in sugar certificates, inasmuch as
this matter would be up for legislation,
and il was decided that the order should
not be placed. The telegram was not,
however, destroyed. On the contrary, 1t
was sent and the stocks purchased.
MIR. Mcpherson told the committee that
the message was found on the table by
one of his servants and sent the next
morning, and the stock was purchased
without his being aware of IL. As soon
as he learned of 1t the Senator ordered il
all sold
In response to a question regarding the
profit made, II Is understood that Mr. Nc
Pherson said he sold 1t without waiting
for any rise in the market but that he
netted profit Of something like 1880.
HEARD BOTH RETISERs AND PLANTERS
The members of the committee say that
the present scope of Investigation concerns
the relations Of the Trust to the con-
struction OF the sugar schedule, and that
the alleged speculation by senators may
be made the subject Of investigation later
on.
Every member of the Finance Commit
tee, in giving testimony, acknowledged
that he had interviews with both sugar
tiVes.
In every case it was shown that the
planters urged specific duties, and the
refiners and also Carlisle urged ad
valorem duties. The planters who wanted
specific duties on their sugar were given
ad valorem rates on the raw product.
The refiners who wanted ad valorem
rates on the refined sugar were given
specific rates. II Is claimed the ad ValO-
rem rate on the raw sugar works to the
disadvantage Of the PRODUCES IN this
country. while the specific duties gives
the refiner an absolute and fixed amount,
but not quite what he would have had
had the per cent. proposition gone
through
1t is probable that from this time on
the report of the investigating commit
tee will not go to the Senate with such
unanimity as that concerning the recalci-
trant reporters.
TRIED TO BRIBE CONGRESSMAN WARNER.
The investigating committee spent more
than an hour to-day examining Congress
man John De Witt Warner with refer
ence to allegations that the Sugar Trust
attempted TO secure his vote while the
tariff bill was under discussion In the
House. Nothing Of this has been given
out on the subject. but it is understood
that Mr.. Warner practically admitted the
statements made in the press tnat when
he was making his fight for free sugar
in the House the effort was made 10
cause MIN 10 ueslst. Inc committee ei-
deavored to get Mr.. Warner 10 give the
names of those who were said TO have
made this statement 10 him. but he
declined. His membership in the other
body of Congress makes him a privileged
Witness and one who comes before the
committee voluntarily.
Mr. CASTOR the wire manufacturer. will
not be before the committee until Tues
day The committee has adjourned until
Monday next Mr.. Castor is said 10 be
the Involuntary edVeSdrOpper at the Ar
lington Hotel, whose statements TO a GER
tain member of the House were repeated
10 Correspondents Shriyer and Walker
and were published by them