The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29
ASKS FOR A BRAND NEW
INVESTIGATION.
The South Carolina Statesman
Says Some People Think
There Is Corruption.
ALDRICH PUTS a QUIETUS ON
THE HARANGUE.
Declares That No One Interested in
Sugar Stocks Knew Anything
About the Schedule.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nav 2S-Tin-
man started a sensation in the Senate to-
day by rising to a question OF privilege
and offering a resolution providing for an
other sugar investigation.
Tue resolution recites the resolution
adopted May II. 1894, for the investiga-
tion of charges then made that Senators
were speculating in sugar stocks 1t also
reciteS the fact that certain witnesses re-
fused to answer, and one is now In jail for
such refusal, and that another was acquit-
ted yesterday under technicalities; also.
within tie last thirty days, newspaper
spondents had charged that Senators
were specializing now in sugar stocks. II
therefore provides for the appointment of
a committee of five to examine the
charges, with power to send for persons
and papers.
The Senator was allowed to proceed
after the-question whether the matter was
privileged was raiseJ, because there was
no objection.
TiIIman, speaking excitedly, said the
time hau come when the Senate could no
longer afford TO be under the accusation.
If the Senators had been speculating in
tariff secrets, the Senate ought TO lind out
and purge itself, or if the newspaper cor
respondents were lying against the Sena-
tors to the press the gallery ougat TO be
cleared of all dishonest and dishohorable
correspondents. and the men who SLAM
dered the Senate be punished. The Sena-
tors could not afford to lie back on their
dignity and say it was beneath them to
investigate such charges. Half of the
American people ana more believe there
was rottenness and corruption among the
leaders of the Democratic party in 1892.
Just so half the people believed some
thing was rotten in Denmark now. Both
parties were involved. one being as deep
IN the mud as the other in the mire.
At this point Pettus of Alabama in Sc
we're tones, asked Tillman not 10 deal in
generaIitIes. If said he, 1.-The Senator
desires to put mark upon a Senator on
this floor l demand lie shall mark him
not Indicate the nate generally"
Il can only mark man." Tillmau re-
piled lmpetuousiy, by having witnesses
who have proof against man or men tell
what they know" Tillman then contin-
ued Dgthy characteristic invective.
When Aldrich rose to reply there was a
marked contrast in the manner of the
two men. While TlIIman had been boil
ing over with excitement Aldrich ad-
dressed the Senate in calm tones and in
a most dignifed manner. He said:
tine task of the Senator who has charge
of the tariff schedule IS a most difficult
and ungracious one. He enters Upon that
duty with the full knowledge that cer-
tain portions OF the press throughout the
United States are bound to charge un-
worthy motives upon him, whatever he
may do. In view of what the Senator
from South Carolina has said and the ex-
tracts he had caused to be read, perhap,
ought to make q statement in regard 10
the question of duties on sugar and how
they came to be propc sed. 1t is insinu-
ated in various articles that the sugar
sche ,ule as presented by the committee is
in some manner influenced or demanded
by a sugar-refning company. say to the
Senator from South Carolina, and to eyery
other Senator and 10 every person in the
United States that no person connec ed
with the sugar trust or with any other re-
finlng company and no 9th r person
whatever suggested or dictated any
schedule or anv rates on sugar to me m
bers of the Finance Com miitee at any
time or in any place. L desire to make
this statement as broad as it is possible
for the English Language to make il.
desire 10 say further tnat the Republican
mem bers of the committee are solely re-
sponsible Tor this schedule, and no one
else, and no person knew what that
schedule was TO be or what the rates were
to be until 1t was prepared, less than two
days before it was reported to the Senate.
The only other person wuo knew it be-
lore it was reported was the Senat or from
Nevada (Jones) 1t was submitted to h i'm
for his approval or for his suggestion about
thiriy-six hours before reported to the
Senate. No one else knew or had any in
tlmation what the schedule was to be,
not living person, and any man who
says contrary or 1ntimates ANYTHING of the
sort deserves 10 be denounced in way
that would not be parliamentary to de-
nounce him here, but he ought to be de-
nounced.
TiIlman asked if Aidrich was willing to
allow the papers to prove their charges.
$50 far as l am concerned" Aldrich re-
Piled, with perfect equanimty, "and l
think l can sEeak Tor every memb Der of the
subcommittee. [ say We not only wish
but court the most searching lnvesliga-
ton into every single act of ours in reIa-
ton to the sugar schedule or any other
schedule One of these newspapers brings
in a gentleman named White. ! never
knew White and never heard of him. l
have no more knowledge of White than
an inhabitant of the FL Islands who
never came to the United States. II any
such man exists l never heard Of him. 1t
is certain that no such man came to the
com mittee-room, and no informatio went
out OF the committee-room. l never
bought share of sugar stock, directly or
indirectly, in my life, or any other stock
for speculation.
The presiding officer said the resolution