The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-17
BRIBERY ATTEMPTED
Senators Kyle and Hunton Ap-
preached by a Bold Lobbyist.
Each Indirectly Offered S25, 1000 if They
Would Work and Vote Against
the Tariff Measure.
Maj. G. w. Bultz, of North DakO-
ia, Said to Be the Briber.
Speedy Action on the Tariff Bill Urged
by Senator Dubois and Other Free
Silver Republicans.

soon after the Senate met to-day, intro
duced resolution authorizing the appoint
ment of five Senators to investigate charges
Of attempted bribery of Senators in con-
nection with the pending tariff bill, and
also the charges in long article published
in the Philadelphia Press on Monday morn
ing containing allegations relating to the
influence of the Sugar Trust upon tariff
legislation. He asked for the immediate
consideration of the resolution. but Senator
Cocgrel, of Missouri, asked that 1t lie upon
the table until tomorrow.
Rumors of the use of money to influence
action one way or the other on the tariff
bill have been in circulation here at various
times during the past few months, but here
tofore have received little attention. 1t is
learned definitely to-day that certain Sena-
tors have received intimation that money
consideration could be secured for their
votes against the tariff bill, though whether
the alleged briber had any authority for
his promise is a matter Of some doubt.
The negotiations apparently have gone no
further than intimatons to the clerks of
Senator's Kyle and Hunton. These intima-
tions came from a North Dakota man who
is known as a lobbyist for several schemes.
He was formerly a member of Congress
identified with the so-called carpet-baggers.
The amount which it was intimated they
could receive was s25,OOO of which 81, coo was
to be retained by them commission for
making the negotiations. Xxx
Mr.. Mcfarland clerk to Senator Kyle,
said that the matter never went any fur
ther than intimation. He promptly in
formed Senator Kyle. The latter is now in
South Dakota and will return Saturday.
The character of the man who is said to
have made the intimations stamps the
whole affair with the seal of condemnation.
1t is scarcely possible that any syndicate
OF persons who could control the amount
of money necessary In order TO make an
attempt to purchase votes would entrust
II to the man who made the intlmation to
the clerks OF Senators Kyle and Hunton.
Senator Hunton talked freely to-day
about the attempt made to bribe him to
vote against the tariff bill. The matter
first camesto his attention about q month
ago through a letter from his son. dated
at Warrenton, Va, the home of the Sena-
tor and his son. He Immediately laid the
matter before six or eight of his most in
innate friends in the Senate that they might
know what was going He says he never
saw the man who offered the bribe and be
declined to give the mans name. but said
that all the negotiations. If the proceedings
may be called such, were conducted through
his son. The would-be briber. the Senator
said, went TO Warrenton early in April,
carrying a letter of introduction from
man in Washington whom Mr.. Hunton did
not know any better than the man he in
troduced. He professed TO want to employ
Mr.. Hunton as attorney in land case in
which he was interested and after talking
for a short time on this topic he brought
up the tariff bill, to which he was opposed.
He said then the bill would never 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 efrectu-
ally. Asked by Mr. Hunton's son what that
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.-
OOO for his opposition to the tariff bill. and
Mr. Hunton Immediately informed his
father of the proposition.
do you think the proposition was made
in earnest" the Senator was asked.
my son is satisfied that it was, and, fur
thermore, he is satisfied that 100000 would
be paid if it appeared that the sum would
secure the coveted vote"
Senator Hunton said that the negotiator
did not say whom he represented. 1.-The
money he said, was not 10 be paid until
the vote should be cast" Senator Hunton
said that he did not propose asking any
investigation. 'I have" he said, placed
the matter in the hands of my friends, but
/ had not intended asking for any inquiry,
because / had supposed that my reputation
was such to need no support, in
vestigation would develop. If, however, an
investigation is undertaken. L shall be glad
TO furnish all the facts in my possession"
Discussing the man who had offered the
bribe, he said that he had understood
that he went to Virginia as carpet-bag-
ger and attempted to secure nomination
for Congress, but failing he had then gone
to South Carolina, where he had been NOM
mated and sent to Congress, serving one
term. He said he had no objection TO Civ
ing the name of the man, except that If
there TO be an inquiry he thought 1t
proper that 1t should be first given to the
committee of investigation.
1T is understood that Senator Kyle has a
record of the alleged briber's conversation
and proposition. He was approached di-
rectly, but turned the fellow over TO his
private secretary, with instructions to take
full notes upon all that he said. MIR. Nc
Farland Senator Kyle's clerk, refused to
say anything further than to acknowledge
that the offers were made, and says that
when the investigation is had he viii tell
all about IL, and will then 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. Mr.. Nc
Farlane refuses To give any names. The
persons to whom the description of the al
legged would-be corruptionist best applies Is
Mai G w. Buttz, of Buttzville, n. D. He
was once a member OF Congress from South
Carolina, and follows the occupa ton
of farming. He spent considerable time in
Washington in recent years lobbying. One
of his principal efforts has been 10 reopen
contest over the town site at Great Falls,
Mont
GIVE