Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-16
Money Said to Have Been Offered to
Two Senators
10 VOFE AGAINST THE TARIFF BILL
Senator Lodges Resolution for an
Investigation Into the Matter.
WHO MADE THE OFFER

HUN OrS OF the use OF money to influence
action enc way or the other on the tariff
bill have been in circulation here at var
ious times during the past few months,
but heretofore have received little atten-
tion. II is learned definitely today that
certain Senators have received intimations
that a money consideration could be Sc
cured for their votes against the tariff bill
The negotiations apparently have gone no
further than intimations to the clerks of
5enators Kyle and Hunton. These intima-
lions came from North Dakota man, who
Is known as lobbyist on several schemes.
He was formerly a member of Congress
from one OF the southern states, and was
identified with the so-called carpet-bag
government The amount which II was in
ttmated Senator Kyle could receive was
$4,000. and 81 900 was to be retained by
she man making the negotiation as a COM
mission. Mr.. Mcfarland, clerk to Senator
Kyle, says the matter never went any fur
ther than an intimation. He promptly in
formed Senator Kyle The latter is now in
South Dakota, and will return to Washing
ton Saturday.
1t is believed here that the character of
the man who made the intimations stamps
the whole affair with the seal of condemna-
tion. 1t is scarcely possible that any syn
dicate OF persons that could control the
amount OF money necessary to purchase
votes would intrust Ii to the man who
made the intimations to the clerks of Sena-
Of a man that would be employed for work
OF that kind.
An Investigation Proposed.
Senator Lodge, soon after the Senate met,
introduced resolution authorizing the ap-
pointment of five Senators to investigate
the charges Of attempted bribery, and also
the charges in a long article published in
the Philadelphia Press on Monday morn
Ing. containing allegations relating to the
influence OF the sugar trust upon tariff leg
islation- He asked for the immediate con-
sideration Of the resolution. but Senator
CockreIl of Missouri asked that it lie upon
the table until tomorrow.
What Senator HuntOn Says.
Senator Hunton talked freely today about
the attempt made to bribe him to vote
against the tariff. although he said that
he is very sorry the matter has become
public at this time He said that the mat
ter first came to his attention about a
month ago through letter from his son,
dated at Warrenton. Va, the home of the
Senator and his son. 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 The Sena-
tor says that he never saw the man who
offered the bribe, and he declined to give
the mans name. but said that all the
negotiations, II the proceedings may be
called such, were conducted through his
son. The would-be briber. the Senator
said. went to Warrenton early in April. car
rying letter Of introduction from man
in Washington, whom Mr.. Hunton did not
know any better than the man he intro
duced- He professed to want TO employ Mr..
Hunton as an attorney IN a land case, in
which he was Interested. and after talk
Ing for short time on this topic he
brought up the tariff bill. to which he was
opposed.
He said then that the bill never would
pSsS, and that there was an argument to
be brought against the bill which had not
yet been used. but which, when brought
TO bear upon the question, would dispose
of 1t efectually. Asked by Mr.. Huntons
son what that argument was he said he
would give it to him if he would send 1t to
his father He then proposed to pay Sena-
tor Hunton $1,000 for his opposition to the
tsriff bill, and Mr.. Hunton Immediately in
formed his father of the proposition
DO you think the proposition was made
n earnest?' the Senator was asked "a
My son is atisfed that it was. and, fnr-
ihemore Is satisfied that 100000 woyilA be
paid II it had appeared that thatisshn
would secure the coveted vote" IN ~
Senator Hunton said that the negotator
aid not say whom he represented. The
money" he said. was not to be paid until
the vote should be cast" " stE
Senator Hunton said that he did not pur-
pose asking any investigation. 81 Eave.'
he said. placed the matter in the hands
of my friends, but had not intended ask
ing for an inquiry because / had supposed
that my reputation was such as 20 need no
such support as an investigation would de-
velop- II. however, an investigation is un-
CerJaken i snail De glad TO rurnlSh all the
facts in my possession"
The Man Who offered the Brfbe.
Discussing the man who had offered the
bribe. he said that he had understood that
he went to Virginia as carpet Dagger
and attempted to secure a nomination for
Congress, but, failing, had then gone to
South Carolina, where he had been nomi-
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 was 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
record OF the alleged briber's conversa-
non and proposition He was approached
directly, but turned the fellow over to his
private secretary. with Instructions to take
1uu notes upon all that he said.
Mr.. McFarlane's Statement.
Mr.. McFarlane. Senator Kyle's clerk re-
fuses 10 say anything further except to
acknowledge that the offers were made
and says that when the Investigation is
had he will tell all about It, 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.. McFarlane
refuses to give any names.
The Lodge Resolution.
Following Is Senator Lodges resolution In
full:
Whereas. It has been stated In the Sun. a
newspaper published in New York. that
br1bes have been offered to certain Senators
10 induce them to vote against the pend
ing tari1 bill and
Whereas. IL has also been stated in a
signed article in the Press. a newspaper
published In Philadelphia, that the sugar
schedule has been made up as II now stands
IN the proposed amendment in considera-
uon or large sums of money paid for cam
palSn purposes Of the democratic party,
RESOLVED, That a committee of five Sem
otors be appointed to investigate these
charges. and with power to send for persons
and paperA -.
Maj Buttz Said to He the Man.
Several persons who know the circum-
Stances connected with the alleged attempt
At bribery assert that the man is Major
!. A Buttz Of Buttzville, North Dakota,
near Lisbon. The bribery story is con-
sldered by these gentlemen as ridiculous.
MAJOR Buttz has been in Washington all
winter trying to secure amendment TO
tne sundry civil appropriation bill which
VIII reopen a contest over the town site at
Great Falls, Montana This amendment
was defeated in the House. but Senator
hyle introduced the amendment in the Sem
ate, where ii has been defeated by the COM
mlttee on public lands. Buttz is a farmer
IN North Dakota, and has been identified
ME NEEN-