Evening star., 1897-05-28
Mr.. Tillman Makes Sensational
Charges Against His Associates.
WANTS ANOTHER SUGAR INQUIRY
Mr.. AIdrich Replies, Courting the
Fullest investigation.
THE RESOLUTION REFERRED

ate today, in the absence OF Vice President
Hobart. Waning interest in the tariff de-
bate was Indicated by the comparatively
small attendance on the floor and in the
galleries.
A monster petition, said to bear the
names of 1900 citizens of Philadelphia,
was presented, favoring Cuban indepen-
dence.
Mr.. Cullom Qll.) gave notice of two
amendments to the tariff bill. One of them
proposes to strike out the item increasing
the tax on beer and to substitute tax of
20 cents a gallon on distilled spirits.
Mr.. Tillman Is. Co. called attention to the
absence of a quorum. The call disclosed
fifty-two senators present.
Mr.. Tillman then lose to a question Of
privilege, and presented a resolution for
another sugar investigation. The resolu-
ton recited the work of the last investigat-
ing committee, the present imprisonment
of Elverton R. Chapman, the acquittal
yesterday of Havemeyer 'on technical
ity." 1t then recited reports of the last
thirty days that senators have speculated
In sugar stock. and that advance reports
on the sugar schedule reached New York
spec ulators. The resolution proposed the
appointment of new committee of in
vestigation, tc be made up of five senators,
who are fully empowered to summon wit
nesses and call for papers in connection
with their inquiry.
MIR. Tillman's Resolution.
Mr. Tilman's resolution quotes the Sen
ate resolution of May II, 1894, authoriz-
ing the original Inquiry and then proceeds
as follows:
Whereas, tae committee therein desig-
mated in the pursuance of it's duties exam
ined several witnesses; and
Whereas, several of these witnesses re-
fused point blank to answer the questions
put to them; and.
Whereas, one of these witnesses after
three years of legal contest Is now in prison
under sentence of the court for contempt,
said court having declared the questions
put to MIN pertinent; and,
Whereas, another of these witnesses
vas yesterday acquitted on a technicality
which cannot shield him from the conse-
qrences of refusing to answer the Ques-
tiOns put to him, If the senate will renew
the inquiry; and,
"Whereas, within the last thirty days
sundry newspaper correspondents have
openly charged senators with speculating
in sugar stocks while the sugar schedule
is under discussion. and also charged that
brokers in New York knew in advance
as to what the Senate finance committee
would report as to the sugar schedule. All
of which involves question of the high
est privilege, to wit: The right of the Sem
ate to protect its mOmbers from slander
and to protect the body as a whole from
these open charges of corruption; therefore
be it
Resolved, That a committee of five be
appointed, with powers to send for persons
and papers, to employ stenographer and
to administer oaths-to inquire into the
truth or falsehood of the charges made in
May, 1894, and into the charges recently
made, and the scope Of the investigation
shall cover everything embraced in the
| resolution of May II, 1894, as well as the
| methods pursued by the American Sugar
Refining Company, better known as the
sugar trust, in controlling legislation in
| its favor at the present time. And espe-
cially whether 1t has in any wise con-
trfbuted to or controlled the election of a
senator in this body at any time"
A Sensational Speech.
Mr.. Frye promptly ruled that the reso-
| tuition should go to the committee on con-
| tingent expenses.
But Mr.. Tillman was not to be stopped.
He asked consent to make a statement on
| the resolution, and, this being granted, the
South Carolina senator began a speech
| which proved to be one of the most sensa-
| tional the Senate has heard In recent years
! Mr. Tillman spoke with his characteristic
yigor, his voice fairly ringing through
| the chamber and corridors, adding express
| sive gestures to his utterances.
| 1--WE have arrived at time" he de-
| cIared when the Senate can no longer af-
! ford to rest under the damning accusations
made against senators. If there are men
| here debauching the Senate, then we should
| be purged of them If these reports are
| slanders, then the press galleries should be
| prrged We cannot afford to lay back on
our dignity any longer, and say we will not
| Investigate" Both parties were face to
| face with this scandal he said. The for
| mer sugar Investigation sought to learn
| whether members of the finance commit
| tee, then democrats, were bought and sold
| like cattle"
| the Secretary of the Treasury and the
| finance committee. Now, he added, we
| have the same question, but the parties are
| changed and nothing but cowardice would
| prevent senators from energetic action to
protect our good name 1t would be re-
| called, he said, that 1t was charged that
| President Cleveland met the sugar mag
| mates on a yacht and discussed details OF
| the sugar schedule of the then pending
| tariff bill. There was nothing to fasten
| at "damning accusation" on the Pres
| dent, Mr.. Tillrnan said, but Senator Jones
! of Arkansas had recently furnished evi-
dence to the effect that the President told
| him the trust should have 4 cent a pound
Mr. Jones quickly arcse at this reference
| to him. On two occasions, ne explained
| Mr.. Cleveland had said to him that he
| thought the n cent on raw sugar was nee
| essary to the American refiners, and that
M-cent rate would drive the refiners out
| of business.
| Proceeding, Mr.. TiIlInan said that II
might be Mr.. Cleveland desired to carry
| out a bargain. He CTillman) did not say
this was the case. But was 1t the casei
! If he the PresidenO did this the Senate
| ought to find 1t out.
| senator Gray Protests.
Here Mr.. Gray of Delaware, chairman OF
the former sugar investigating committee
interrupted. The statement, he said, thai
a sugar schedule had been made upon Mr.
Benedict's yacht when the President wal
on board with officers Of the sugar trust
was not true. and Its falsity had been es
tohl hlfchad ffar ho too hod nI,oS
the statement to the bottom. Both Mr.
Havemeyer and Mr.. Searles had testified
that no such meeting ever occurred anG
that they never met Mr.. Cleveland.
Mr.. Tillman said he was glad to heal
this. He wanted everything that would
| clarity the situation" He was attackinf
no one but one-half Of the American peo-
pie believed. ne said, that there was g
| corrupt dear' In 1894, 'just as some Of III
believe there Is something rotten in Den
| mark now"
! Both parties ara involved" exclaimed
, the senator. "'and one In Is deep In the muf
as the other rs In the mire. You know q