The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-14
THE SUGAR BRIBERY.
Shameless Admissions by the
Secretary Of the Trust.
HE JusTlFles CORRUPT MEANS.
Leeks Upon the Use OF Money In Poiitf-
cal Campaigns and Tariff Lobby
ing ~ Legitimate.

wAsHISaros Crrr. June 1s.-Before the
sugar trust investigating COMMITTEES today.
II. r. Burney. one of the room clerks a.
the Arlington hotel, said Senator Brice
had been IN the habit of calling on Mr..
Terrell. bur that he called there no more
frequently during his visits last winter and
spring than on former occasions.
Mr.. Havemeyer, who expressed willing
ness yesterday to give the amounts of the
sugar trust contributions to campaign
funds, declined to do so today. IS he was
advised that under the terms of the reso-
luton this was no part of the investIga-
ton. The committee accepted this view,
Is witness had sworn that no contribu-
tons had been made TO secure the election
OF United States senators.
Mr.. Havemeyer stated that in the last
three years the profits of the trust had
been = OF a cent per pound on refined SUI
gar, and the increased cost 10 the con-
sumner under the proposed bill would be
cent pound. He admitted that the pur-
pose of the formation of the trust was to
increase the cost TO the American con-
sumer.
Senator Allen-And when you formed
tile trust you advanced the price OF sugar
Hayemeyer--We did; it was an advance
of about u of cent net
Allen-And the American consumer to-
day IS paying g of a cent per pound on re-
fined sugars more than he would be CON-
PEELED 10 pay under system OF separate
retIneries2
'.Yes, SIR"
American consumer would be benefited to
the extent OF " of cent pound on his
sugar."
Il will admit that. but anything that
will wipe out the trust will wipe out the
industry"
John A. Searles, secretary and treasurer
of the American Sugar Refining Com
pany, was the subject of the committees
questions from to 8 o'clock. He
frankly admitted that he had made il
his business to influence legislation
favorable to the sugar trust, and that
for this purpose he had called
upon and labored with many senators.
The witness stood upon his rights, how
ever, when asked about campaign con-
tributions, and declined in several in
stances TO answer questions on this
subject. He declined to state the amount
expended in 1892 on the ground that it
was not within the province of the in
quiry.
do you not, asked Senator Allen, ''de-
cline to state simply because you know it
was disreputable and unlawful to con-
tribute this money!
"No, sir; do not admit any thing of the
kind" replied Mr.. Searles.
''Do you think it is particularly laudable
for the American Sugar Refining Company
to contribute large sums of money, by
thousands of dollars, for the purpose of
influencing elections In this country7"
II have always understood for many
years that it Is the custom of both par
ties to solicit from corporations and in
dividuals contributions for the car
rying on of their political CAM
paigns, and that il Is the custom
of corporations and individuals to respond
to such invitations. and with that under
standing and what believe to be gen.
eral custom, the American Sugar Refinery
has made such contributions at times"
do you believe 1t to be perfectly proper
for q corporation" said Allen, 1.-The value
of whose stocks may be affected by ma
tional legislation. to contribute its funds
to the success or defeat of one political
party or the other?
II think that as parties are now man
aged it is proper"
And the American Sugar Refining
Company, as a company, was actuated by
high sense of patriotic duty in contrib
uting this money, suppose?"
THAT is a pleasant way of putting it,"
replied Mr.. Searies.
The vice president has signed certif-
cate to the district attorney of the refusal
of r Chairman the New York broker
to answer questions of the committee.