The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-22
Mr.. Hunt0n and His Son. Indecrat Kyle
and His Clerk, Major Buttz and
Attorney Walker Testify.
RACY READING PROMISED
When the Investigation Is End
ed and the Testimony Printed.
The House Votes to Kill the Rule PrOvid-
ing for Docking Absent Members
Latest from the Mosquito Country.

WASHINGTON, May 21.-The committee
to investigate the charges of bribery in the
Senate was on hand promptly at 10 o'clock
to-day in the room of the committee on
privileges and elections. Senator Hunton
was at the meeting as a witness. c. w.
Buttz, with his attorney, was without the
doors of the committee room, and there
were other expected witnesses in the CORR
doris. Mr.. Buttz made written application
to be present. The committee sat in secret
session until 1890. when Senator Hunton
was summoned to testify. Senator Hunton
remained with the committee about half
an hour. and after he emerged from the
committee room his son, Eppa Hunton. jr,
was called in and asked to state what he
knew of the alleged effort to bride his
father. He was detained fifteen minutes.
Both witnesses were cautioned by Senator
Gray against giving the newspapers any re-
port OF the proceedings, the Senator re-
marking that when this branch of the in
quiry should be concluded the proceedings
would all be made public. Both Senator
Hunton and his son stated that c. w. Buttz
was the man who approached the younger
Hunton- The narrative did not differ ma
terially from the story heretofore given to
the press by Senator Hunton.
Senator Kyle before the COMMITTEES
for more than an hour, and he was in
formed that he probably would BE- called
again. He put the committee in possession
of all the information in his possession
stating that he was first approached by
Buttz about two months ago, with the
proposition to vote against the tariff bill
and receive pay for his vote. the amount
offered being $4,000. In reply to a ques-
ton Senator Kyle said he was confident
hat
that the proposition, If 1t had been ac-
cepted. would had been made good Sem
ator Kyle also stated that Buttz had init
mated TO him that IL $1,000 was not enough
name. as higl as $4,000.
The committee took a recess al 1 O'Clock
for lunen: Chairman Gray stated that the
plans for the investigation Of the opsra-
tons OK the Sugar Trust in connection
ator Gray was asked wat the committee
had determined TO do in response TO Mr.
BUTTS request to be allowed to be pres
ent while other witnesses were being exam
ined. that he might question them, he said
the request had bsen refused, had a
be present when Buttz should testify. Asked
what would be the effect OF a refusal on
BUTTS part to testify. Mr.. Gray only sa d
against him in the published testimony.
At O'Clock Major Buttz called, but
after he had entered Chairman Gray told
him that he had been called a little too soon
and to retire until 20 nj which was under
discussion could be settled. Buttz an
nounced that he wanted bis attorney pres
ent when he testified. He still adhered to
his discrimination not to t-sdfy unless he is
furnished copy of the testimony hereto
fore given, saying that the committee may
send MIN to Jail for eternity before he will
change his resolution on this point few
minutes later Mr.. BUTTE was again called
and his attorney was admitted with him.
Major Butte was before the committee for
about one hour and was excused with the
request that he be in attendance again
tomorrow. Mr.. ButtZ said when he left
the committee room that he had been
word of the proceedings. Senator Gray also
deciiaed to give out anything concerning
mary OF 1t could be given that would not
be liable to do injustice TO Mr.. BUTTE AMI
Fragmentary references to the proceel-
ings leave little room for doubt that when
the report of the Butte testimony is pub
lished it will make very racy reading The
Major first demanded a transcript of the re-
port of the testimony of recadiog wit
nesses, but compromised by accepting a
proposition that the reD0rter should read
the portions of the testimony of the other
witnesses which reflected HIM in any
statement that Senators Kyle and Hunton
had identified him the man who had at
tempted 10 corrupt them. and having, in
his letter 10 Senator Hansbrough, laid the
responsibility for this charge at the doors
OF the newspapers and relieved the Senator
from all blame he was placed in a some
references to his testimony indicate that
he made effort TO excuse himself and
explain away the entire charge He ex-
pllcitly denies any intention his part to
corrupt the Senators. 1t is also understood
that he politely decllnei to answer some
of the more pertinent questions put to him
by members OF the committee.
Other witnesses of the afternoon session
were Duncan McFarlane. Senator Eyle's
clerk and James w. Walker, attorney
OF this city. who gave Buttz a lstter. to
Eppa Hunton, jr. Mr. Walker stated that
when Butte had asked for a letter to Mr..
Hunton he had said he wanted to employ
him as attorney. In a land case and had
given no other reason for wanting to know
that gentleman. Mr. McFsr.ane told how,
after Senator Kyle hid referred Buttz to
him. he had talked with him and made notes
upon his conversation. He confirmed SEN
ator Kyle's statement and said explicitly
that ButtZ had made direct proposition
TO bride the Senator to vote against the
tariff bill. He also submitted his notes on
his conversation with ButtZ.
The committee has been considering the
advisability of going to New York to OBJ
tain a portion of the testimony in relation
TO the sugar allegations, but the ultimate
course has not been decided upon.