New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-13
rHAPMAN'S CASE TAKEN UP.
~ GIVES RISE TO A SPIRITED DEBATE
IN THE SENATE.
RESOLUTION CALLING THE BROKER TO APPEAi

A RESOLUTION SAi>i->O AfAS oiNcANH~s ~ 80 "
AND PURGE HIMSELF OF CONTEMPT IN
TRopucED BY MR. ALLEN.
[By TELEGRAPH TO TRIBuNE.l
Washington May 12-Nr. Allen. Of Nebraska
the Populist member of the special comr'i''ee
which investigated the so-called sugar schedule
scandals during the summer OF 1874, caused
some surprise to-day by introducing in the sen
ate resolution seeking 10 forestall the poss'o'e
pardon OF Elverton r. Chapman. recaici'ra".
witness before the committee. who was iouhu
guilty OF contumacy IN the District Courts anu
sentenced to thirty days imprisonment IN the
local fail. II has been generally known 'hs'
Mr. Chapman's legal representative here, ex-
Judge jeremiah Wilson, has been securing sigma
lures from Senators and others to an application
for Mr. Chapmans pardon; but so far the paper
has not reached the Attorney General to whom
all such petitions are directed. Mr.. Aliens reso-
luton recited these and many other Facts ABOUT
the Chapman case, and then declared as the
sense Of the Senate that Chapman should not be
hardened until he had appeared before the Oar
Of the Senate and purged himself of contempt
Some discussion arose over the disposition 10 be
made OF the resolution. and finally on oo)ecton
II went over until tomorrow without prelucice'
1t is said that Mr.. Allen recently refused 10 sign
the petition for the suspension OF Mr.. Chapman's
sentence.
Close attention was given to the reading OF the
resolution, and II closed, Mr.. Galllnger. or
New Hampshire remarked: LET It go over"
''Do understand the Senator to object to the
consideration Of the resolution" asked Mr.
Allen.
Mr. Ga!linger answered that the resolution was
long. Senator's had been summoned to COM
mttee room 10 testify He had been summoned
and had fad ma he owned copper 5
worth Of sugar stock. The resolution should DC
looked into before this line of inquiry was re-
sumed.
Mr. Allen SAID the resolution did not contem-
plate a reopening OF the investigation. 1t was
confined 10 a requirement that Chapman purge
himself e prerequisite 10 pardon
Ny Gailinger said he had misapprehended the
scope Of the resolution still II would do no harm
to let 1t go over for twenty-four hours.
Il hope the Senator will consent to let the
resolution go TO the Committee on Privileges
and Elections began Mr.. Hoar Qep, Mass
Certainly not; certainly not said MI Alien
emphatcally.
Mr. Hoar with some asperity. claimed the
floor and said that Mr. Allen could not say wnat
he (NIr Hoar) hoped would be done. he would
go as far as any one Mr.. HOar said. to see that
this investigation and another one as 10 the SAFE
OF bonds were pressed to the utmost. And L
hope the investigation will touch bottom ne
added Il have no sympathy with anybody
who would whistle either of those inquiries down
the wind
Mr. Hoar spoke Of the need of sustaining the
power and authority Of the Senate. He felt
that the opinion In the Haett-kilbourn case
had been construed far beyond the purpose OF
the jurist giving it. The Senate should exercise
rs powers without reference 10 the possible
course of the President This man Chapman
had been tried and sentenced. and IL the facts
were as represented he ought to be punished
But il was not for the Senate to say that ne
ought not to be pardoned or to surrender It's
authority over him. II think we ought TO sum-
mon him here and compel him to answer: said
Mr. Roar. land II he does not answer, then 10
punish him whether the President pardons MN
or not" This resolution practically gave ava!
the power Of the Senate. He would, When tiie
resolution was considered propose an amend.
ment by which the authority OF the senate
would be maintained .,aa
Mr. Allen replied briefly. He said he regarded
CHAIRMAN as a victim rather than a criminal.
When before the committee Chapman was quiei
and gcntIen,anly. He simply declined 70 an
sXrer The questions. acting on legal advice IN
MAT said Mr. Allen. Chapman took the chances
OF war He believed Chapman was more OF an
agent, than a principal. ,.,
After some further discussion the resoiu'io"
went over until tomorrow