The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-05-17
A SENATE SENSATION.
To Investigate an Attempt to
y Bribs Two Senators. .e
FORTUNES OFFERED FOR VOTES.

IN the Matter, but tho Evidence Against
the Attempted Briber Seems Complete.
Mr.. 0silinger Begins Lengthy Speech.
WARRINGTON, May 17-Senator Lodge,
Of Massachusetts, soon after the senate
met yesterday, introduced resolution
authorizing the appointment of commit
tee OF five senators to investigate charges
Of attempted bribery of senators in con-
nection with the pending tariff bill. The
resolution was laid over.
1t is learned definitely that certain sem
stors have received intimations that a
money consideration could be secured for
their votes against the tariff bill. The
negotiations apparently have gone no fur
ther than intimations TO the clerks of SEN
ators Kyle and Hunton These intima-
tions came from North Dakota man who
is known as lobbyist on several schemes.
He was formerly member of congress.
The amount which 1t was intimated Sen.
Ator Kyle could receive was $14, 900, and
q 900 was to be retained by the man max
ing the negotiation as commission. Mr..
McFarlane, Mr.. Kyle's clerk, says the
matter never went any further than an
intimation. He promptly informed Mr..
Kyle. The latter is now in South Dakota,
but will return to Washington on Satur-
day.
Senator Hunton talked freely about
the attempt made to bribe him to vote
against the tariff Lii, although he said
that he is very sorry the matter had be-
come public at this time. He said the mat
ter first came to his attention about a
month ago through a letter from his son
dated at Warrenton, Va, tho home of the
senator. He Immediately laid the matter
before six or eight of his most intimate
friends in the senate, that they might
know what was going on.
He never saw the man who offered the
! bribe, and declines to give his name. All
the negotiations, II the proceedings could
be called such were conducted through
his son. The man went to Warrenton
early In April, carrying letter of intro
duction from man whom Mr., Hunton
did not know any better than the man he
introduced. He proposed to pay Senator
Hunton s25, 600 for his opposition to the
tariff bill. and young Mr.. Hunton imme-
diately informed his father Of the prop
osition.
''Do you think the proposition was made
In earnestf the senator was asked.
my son is satisfied that 1t was, and,
Furthermore, was satisfied that 100000
sum would have secured the coveted vote" {"
Mr.. Hunton said that the negotiator did
not say whom he represented
Senator Lodge when asked after ad-
5ournment for an explanation Of his rcso-
luton for an investigation of the reported
attempt to bribe said:
II know nothing of the matter person
ally but the statement is specific, and
coming so soon as it does after the publi-
cation of the alleged efforts of the sugar
trnst to influence legislation by unfair
means have thought that committee
should be appointed to inquire into the
whole subject. 1t is my opinion that il
fuch work is going on all the facts should
be known, and my only purpose in pre-
tenting the resolution is to bring them
out"
Ex-RepresentatiyeC c. w. Buttz, of Buttz-
VILE, N. D., whose name ia mentioned in
connection with the alleged attempt to
purchase the vote Of Senators Kyle and
Hunton on the tariff bill, has determined
TO ask a full investigation at the hands OF
the senate of the charges made against
him. Major Buttz makes general de-
NAL of the charges against him, and told
Senator Hansbrough that he wanted a
personal investigation as speedily as pos
sible.
The senate waded through two moro
pages, comprising thirteen paragraphs OF
the tariff bill, yesterday, The actual con.
tideration of the schedules did not begin
until almost O'Clock. Two hours after
the bill was taken up We're occupied by
MIR. Gallinger in the delivery of the pre-.
liminary chapters of set tariff speech
which he announced included history OF
American tariff Legislation from the time
the Pilgrim fathers first set foot on Ply.
mouth Rock. Three Republican senator's
Messrs. Quay, Dolph and Gallinger, now
have portions of long undelivered spec shes
In readiness to be used in case the Repub.
Iicans resolve upon a last ditch fight
Whether the Republicans will persevore
In their present policy seek to deieat the
bill by strategy, or decide to allow the
majority to pass the bill II they Gun mus
ter sufficient number of votes is the un.
known and undetermined question in the
senate situation.
As result of the uncertainty as to the
Republican attitude Senator Harris this
morning called up his resolution for Il
o'clock sessions, This prccipituted a spir.
tted debate, which is liable to last until
adjournment.
In the house the agricultural appropria.
sion bill was taken up at an early hour
and about two-thirds of the bill was con.
sidered. Only two amendments increas.
ing appropriations were made one for sSGC
20 continue the experiments with flax and
hemp in the state of Washington and the
ofler increasing the appropriation for the
purchase and distribution of seed from
elSO, 900 to $3.50, 600