The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-16
BRIBERY!
Fifteen OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
for Senator's Votes,
Who Will Vote Against the
Tariff Bill.
THE OFFERS ARE MADE
To Senators Kyle and Hunton,
1t is Said.
The Facts Made Public and Res
OlutiOn introduced
By Senator Lodge Asking for
an Investigation.

WASHINGTON. May 16.-Senator Lodge
soon after the senate met today introduc-
ed a resolution authorizing the appoint
ment of five senators to inv estigate
charges of attempted bribery of senators
in connection with the pending tariff
bill, and also the charges in a long arti-
Gle published in the Philadelphia Press
on Monday morning containing allega-
tiOns relating to the influence of the su-
gar trust upon tariff legislation.
He asked for the Immediate consider
alton of the resolution but Senator Cock
reIl of Missouri. asked that it lie upon
the table until tomorrow.
Rumors of the use of money to influ-
ence action one way or the other on the
tariff bill have been in circulation here
at various times during the past few
months, but heretofore have received
little attention.
1t is learned definitely today that GER
tain senators have received intimation
that a money consideration could be Sc
cured for their votes against the tariff
| though whether the alleged briber had
any authority for his promise is matter
Of some doubt. The negotiations ap-
parently have gone no further than in.i-
nations to the clerks of Senators Kyle. of
South Dakota, and Hunton. of West Vir-
gipia.
Who Is the MIN?
Dakota man, who is known as lobbyist
on several schemes. He was formerly
member of congress from the Southern
states and was identified with the So
called carpet bag government. The
amount estimated that Senator Kyle
would receive was $4,000, and $1,000
was to be retained by the man making
she negotiation for his commission.
Mr.. McFa arlane- clerk to Senator Kyle,
says the matter never went any further
than intimation. He promptly ia
formed Senator Kyle. The latter is
now in South Dakota and Will return
to Washington Saturday. The character
of the man who is said to have made the
iHtimatiOn stamps the whole affair with
the seal of condemnation. 1t is scarcely
possib.e that any syndicate of persons
could control the amount of money nee
essary in order to make an attempt to
purchase votes, would entrust it to the
man who made the intimation to the
clerk of Senators Kyle and Hunton.
Senator Hutton Talks.
Senator Hunton talked freely today
about the attempt made to bribe him to
vote against the tariff bill The matter
first came to his attention about a month
ago through letter from his son dated
Warrentown. Va, the home of the sena-
tor. He Immediately laid the matter be-
fore six or eight of his most intimate
friends in the senate that they might
know what was going on.
The senator says that he never saw the
man who offered the bribe and he de-
clined to give the mans name, but said
that all the negotiations, if the proceed
ings may be called such, were conducted
through his son. The would-be briber
the senator said, went to Warrenton ear
ly in April carrying letter of introduce
tiOn from man in Washington whom
Mr.. HuntOn did not know any better
than the man he introduced
He professed to want to employ Mr..
HOnton as attorney in land case
in which he was interested. Talking
for a short time this topic, he brought
up the tariff bill, to which he was op-
posed He said then that the bill never
would pass and that there was an argu-
ment to be brought against it which had
not yet been used, but which would dis
pose of it effectually.
Asked by Mr.. Hunton7s 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
$4,000 for his opposition to the tariff
bill and Mr. Hunton Immediately in
formed his father of the proposition.
did you think the proposition was
made in earnest?" the senator was asked.
Made in Earnest.
my son is satisfied that it was, and
furthermore l am satisfied that 100000
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
'sThe money" he said, "was not to be
paid until the vote should be cast"
Senator HuntoR said that he did not pur-
pose making any investigation.
Il have" said he, .'put the mat
ter into the hands of my friends,
but 1 had not intend asking for
an inquiry because l had supposed
that my reputation was such as to need
no support as an investigation 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 understood that
: he went to Virginia as a carpet Dagger
and attempted to secure a nomination for
congress but failed, had then gone 10
South Carolina, where he had been
nominated and sent to congress, serving
Cns term. He said that 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.
1t is understood that Senator Kyle has