The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-20

Vestigating committee, said be agreed
With the Senator from South Carolina
(Illlman) that what the Senate WAS
concerned In was not the contempt of
Chapman, but the ascertainment of
tacls relative to speculation in sugar
stocks.
Mr.. Cray reviewed the course OF tho
committee and the inquiries put to in
dividual Senators.
Tho remarks of Mr.. Gray, OF Della.
ware, were directed mainly to the in.
vestigatlon three years ago conducted
oy IL Senate committee o. which he
was the chairman, and his Introductory
IDS give SO clear un insight to the
| roal iorce and bearing Of that investi-
gatlon that they are copied herewith.
The witness Chaplain comes before
the Senate now on account Of the pro-
cccdlngs three years ago, when he re-
fused to answer tho questions put to
| MIN. Mr.. Gray said
Mr.. prcsident, | agree with the
| cnator from South Carolina (Mr.
Tillman) that what we have been con-
Cerned IN is not tho punishment of
ElvcrtOn IL Chapman, or Of any other
man who has been guilty of what is
called contempt Of the Senate, but il
was to ascertain the facts and TO prose-
cute an inquiry with which we were
chargcd, in order that the truth might
be eilclted and found in some judicial
ohapc FOR tho action Of the Senate.
! IL Ia now t1reC years this month
since committee was formed by order
Of this body to investigate, among
| other things, certain charges that had
appeared IN the newspapers, 70 the ui
Get that Senator'S had been engaged
In epcCu'atlng III sugar stocks pending
the discussion Of the tariff bill in tins
rody, OF while the turlif bli was per,
'n9 in this body. OF tnat committee
| had the honor of being chairman, by
The courtesy Of the Senate. It's report
vi all its proceedings have becu placed
before thc Senate and the public. The
course OF the inquiry that was had aud
All The results tnaJ were reached have
hccn known now nearly three years.
J II Is true that We did sub :ct every
member OF the then Senate 10 an in
qul5itl"n personality as t. the subject.
matter Of which We were charged to
Inquire. Every Senator then Il mem
Der ol this GNuy came before the com
nlttcc and submitted himself to an IN
cushion, wh,ch Will be found to be.
men the record i consulted, Il most
searching ono as to his personal rc;t,
ions TO any OF the charges that had
'"Hu mtuc IN The newspapers amt ab Jut
"N'@n hhc committee was instructed!
oy the Senate to inquire. Every Sen.
dtor appeared bc.or; the committee
tnd answ' rcd the gu stiuuS that were
put TO him, and tn re has been no one
whom | knOw who has ever said since
that those questions were not truly an
sWer.u.
y t we did proceed further, and.
prompted by information that came
rom various sources, we summoned
.rthln p.rtl. ) before the committee
anu asked them, notwithstanding til G
s"orn testimony Of each Senator
"hrthcr any Senators had through
'hclr agency been guilty of speculatins
IN SUGAR stocks. There were certain
".In' sscs 80 summoned who refused to
thaW"l, aiu refused to answer on the
/ sfouEC that 1T a an undue intrusion
INTO private affairs and an inquiry
"haL the Senate ha no right to prose
cute. The committee iuslsLrd rd upOn TN G
answering Of thCsc qu, st,ons In re-
Iaru 10 the partiCuIar witness whose
n'hc has been SO much used here to-
lay, MIR. Chapman, be asked for timc
. consult counsel before declining to
answer. The next day, on appearing
',folc the committee, and the uucs-
non being renewed, g.. said that he had
consulted counsel ana had been in
'trucl'd that it was his right to decline
y answer thOsr quest Ons."