The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-05-25
A WASHINGTON SENSATION.
Reported Attempt to Bride Senators to
Vote Against the Tariff Bill.

Vote Against the Tariff Bill.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Rumors OF
.he use of money to influence action
one way or the other on the tariff bill
have been in circulation here at vari-
Gus times during the past few months,
but heretofore have been confined
definitely to-day, however, that the
clerks of Senator Kyle, of South Da-
kota, and Hunton, of Virginia. had re-
ceived intimations that money con-
sideration could be secured for the
votes of their chiefs against the tariff
bill. Whether the alleged briber had
any authority for his promise is mat
ter of some doubt.
The intimations came from North
Dakota man known as a lobbyist for
several schemes, formerly member of
congress from the southern states and
identified with the so-called carpetbag
movement.
The amount which it is said Senator
Kyle was offered was $4,000. $1,000 to
be retained by the man making nego-
tiations as a commission. Mr.. McFar-
matter never went any further than
an intimation. He promptly informed
Senator Kyle. The latter is now in
South Dakota and will return to Wash
ington Saturday.
Senator Hunton talked freely to-day
about the attempt made to bride him.
The matter first came to his attention
about month ago through letter
from his son. dated at Warrenton, Va,
He Immediately laid the matter before
several of his most intimate friends in
the senate, that they might know what
was going on. He never saw the man
who offered the bride: declined to give
the mans name, but said that all the
negotiations, if the proceedings could
be called such, were conducted through
his son. The briber went to Warren
ton early in April carrying letter of
introduction from man in Washing
ton whom Mr.. Hunton did not know
any better than the man he introduced.
He professed to want to employ
Mr.. Hunton as an attorney in a land
case in which he was interested.
After talking for a short time on
this topic, he brought up the tariff
bill to which he was opposed. He said
that the bill never would pass and that
there was an argument to be brought
against the bill which had not yet been
used, but which would dispose of it
effectually. Asked by Mr.. Hunton's
son what the argument was. he said
he would give it to him if he would
send it to his father. He then proposed
to pay Senator Hunton S25.O for his
opposition to the tariff bill. and Mr..
Hunton Immediately informed his
father of the proposition.
Did you think the proposition was
made in earnest?" the senator was
asked
My son is satisfied that it was. and
furthermore. | am satisfied that $780,
600 would be paid if it had appeared
that that sum would secure the coveted
vote"
Senator Hunton said that the nego-
tiator did not say whom he represented.
The money" he said, was not to be
paid until the vote should be cast"
OF the man who had offered the
DrlDe. Mr. HunuOn SAID undU ne went
to Virginia as carpetbagger and at
tempted to secure a nomination for
congress, but failing went to South
Carolina. where he was nominated and
sent to congress. serving one term. He
had no objection to giving the name of
the man except that if there was to be
an inquiry he thought it proper that it
should be first given to the committee
of investigation.
Il is understood that Senator Kyle
has a record of the alleged briber's con-
versation and proposition. He was APP
preached directly but turned the fell
low over to his private secretary under
instructions to take full notes upon all
that he said. Mr.. Farlane, Mr.. kyle's
clerk, refused to say anything further
than to acknowledge that the offers
were made and says that when the in
vestigation is had he will tell all about
it and will give the name of the man
offering the money and what he said.
The man told him he represented New
York parties. but whether or not he
gave their names cannot be learned.