Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1894-05-23
OFFERED BIG SUMS.
THE SENATE BRIBERY COMMITTEE
GETS TO WORK.

Kyle and Hunton Give Their Testimony
Certain Butte wes tho Man The
Majors Testimony WIN L3a Spicy Read.
ing When Made Public, 1t Is Said.
WASHINGTON, May 21.-The commit
tee to investigate the charges of bribery
in the senate were on hand promptly at
10 a. IN. in the room of the committee
on privileges and elections. Senator
Hunton was at the meeting as witness
and remained with the committee about
half an hour, and after he emerged
from the committee room his son, Epha
Hunton, Jr., was called in and asked
to state what he knew of the alleged ef-
fort to bribe his father. He was de-
tanned only about 10 minutes. Both
witnesses were cautioned by Senator
Gray against giving the newspapers
any report OF the proceedings, the sena-
tor relnarking that when this branch of
tbs inquiry should be concluded the
proceedings would all be made public.
| Certain Buttz Was the Man.
Both Senator Hunton and his son
stated that G. w. Buttz was the man
who approached Senator Hunton. The
narrative did not differ materially from
the story heretofore given to the press
by Senator Huntoa.
! Senator Kyle was before the commit
tee for more than an hour and was in
formed that he would probably be
called again. He put the committee IN
possession of all the information in his
power, stating that he was first APP
preached 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
81, 900. In reply to question Senator
Kyle said he was confident Buttz repre-
sented other parties, and the PROPOSE
tion, if it had been accepted, would
have been made good.
Butte on the Stand.
Major Buttz was the principal wit
ness during the afternoon. He was &C
companied by his attorney, z. FL. Nc
Gowan. Buttz was before the COM
mittee for about an hour and was
ex used with the request that he be in
attendance again in the morning. He
said when he left the committee room
that lie had been sworn to secrecy and
could not reveal word of the proceed
ngs, but fragmentary references to the
leave little room for doubt
that when the report on Buttz' testi-
nony is published it will make very
-acy reading. He first demanded a
transcript of the testimony of preced-
ng witnesses, Tut compromised by ac-
,epting Il proposition that the reporter
should read portions ofithe testimony of
he other witnesses which reflected
1pon him in any way. He explicitly
lenied any intention on his part
To Corrupt the Senators.
[U is also understood that he politely
Leclined to answer some Of the more
questions put to him by mem
,ers Of the committee. Other wit
lesses of the afternoon session Were
Duncan McFarlane, Senator Kyle's
Jerk, and james w. Walker, an at
orney OF this city, who gave Buttz
etter to Epha Hunton, Jr. Mr..
Walker stated that when Buttz had
sked for letter to Mr.. Hunton he
lad said he wanted to employ him as
attorney in land case and had given
10 other reason for wanting to know
hat gentleman. Mr.. McFariane told
low, after Senator Kyle had referred
3uttz to him, he hal talked with him
nd made notes upon his conversation.
Ie confirmed Senator Kyle's statement
nd said explicit that Buttz had made
direct proposition to bribe the senator
o vote against the tariff bill. He also
ubmitted his notes on his conversation
vith Rnttz