The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-15
Followed by a Sensational Expose by
Representative Hopkins of
Democratic Hypocrisy.
RICHARDSON TRAPPED
HE WANTED PUBLIC FUNDS PUT IN
A DEMoCRATIC BANK.
So Also Did j. X. Jones and Others
Possibly Because They Wanted
Campaign Contributions

WASHINGTON, Feb. H-The events In
connection with the sale OF the old New
York custom house TO the National city
Bank. which heretofore has been the sub
| ject Of much comment, occupied the center
of the stage during the debate on the sun
dry civil appropriation bill in the House
to-day. Much excitement attended the de-
bate. Mr.. McRae. an Arkansas Democrat.
raised the issue with a motion TO strike
out the appropriation of $37l,o47 for rent OF
the custom house. and with this motion as
a basis Mr.. Jones. OF Virginia. launched
| fierce attack on the manner and circum-
stances OF the sale and the vast profits
| which he claimed the bank made out Of the
transaction. Secretary Gage was sharply
criticised and several references were made
| to the letter written by Mr.. Hepburn 10
| Secretary Gage apropos the political claims
| Of the bank.
| Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Hopkins, OF Illinois.
both defended the custom house transac-
| ton, and the latter turned the tables on
the Democrats by springing upon them
series Of letters written by prominent DEM
ocrats, including Senator Jones. Of Arkan-
sas. to the secretary OF the treasury under
the Cleveland administration asking the
deposit Of government funds in banks with
Democratic proclivities. His center shot
was a letter written by Representative
Richardson, Of Tennessee. now the Demo-
cratic leader Of the House, I'm behalf OF q
bank at Murfreesboro. Tenn
Mr.. McRae, Of Arkansas. Indignantly
charged that the letters were private LETT
ters and had been furnished TO divert att
tention from the sale OF the custom house.
He and Mr.. Hopkins had hot words and
for a moment II looked as II there would be
| a personal encounter. In the end Mr.. Nc
Rae's amendment was lost-Ss to SS-a strict
party vote. Another amendment offered by
Mr.. Richardson to provide that the rent
should not be paid until the title TO the
old custom house passed from the govern
ment to the bank failed on a tie vote For
ty-three of the 137 pages Of the sundry civil
bill were completed to-day.
MR.. HOPKINS'S EXPOSE.
The speech OF Mr.. Hopkins to-day
created a sensation. While the custom
house sale was under discussion. he pro-
| duced copies OF letters which he said had
| been written by prominent Democratic
leaders under Democratic administration
asking that certain banks be made gov
ernment repositories because OF the po-
litical associations OF their managers. Mr..
Hopkins said the Hepburn letter 10 Secre-
| tary Gage was Tot the only one OF that
kind. He read copies OF several letters
| from Senator Jones and Representative
Ereckiuridge. OF Arkansas. ana Others One
OF these asked that the German National
Bank. OF Little Rock. Ark. be made a
government depository, adding: 1T is con-
cusively Democratic In Its management.
'But does ii say they contributed 10 .
campaign fund.-" asked Mr.. Richardson.
Mr.. Hopkins read another letter referring
TO the bank authorities seeking govern
| mental deposits which said: They are all
reliable Democrats" 1t was signed by
Senator Berry, of Arkansas. To this was
| affixed: 'T concur. ]. X. Jones'"
But does the letter speak of contribu-
tions to a campaign fund.-" persisted AIR.
| Richardson.
IT have read the letter." responded Mr.
Hopkins. who next read a letter signed
by S. NJ. Peel. member OF Congress at the
time. objecting to government deposi-
tory because "the owners OF that bank are
open and notorious Republicans" and add
ing that from political standpoint 1 am
opposed to them
Mr.. Hopkins continued TO read other let
terS Wrltten Dy PROMINENT DtfuOCIdtt 10
Secretary Manning. including some from
Illinois and Pennsylvania Democrats.
do any OF these letters say in consfd-
Grafton of contributions they are entitled
to the deposits, p" asked Mr. Richard
son.
BE patient" observed Mr.. Hopkins II
have one here
He then read letter TO Senator Brice
from a Toledo Democrat commencing q
banker who had been a Liberal contribu-
tor" This phrase evoked much laughter on
the Republican side.
did any OF these gentlemen buy prop
crty of the government" cried Mr.. Rich
ardson
To this ejaculation Mr.. Hopkins replied
by producing letter written by Mr.. Rich
ardson himself under the Cleveland ad-
ministration. indorsing for good and salts
factory reasons" an application for ths
transfer OF the government deposit from
the First 10 the Third National Bank OF
Murfreesboro. Tenn. This brought a round
OF applause from the Republican side.
Mr.. Richardson jumped TO his feet THAT
bank is $50 miles from my district ne
cried. 1T never contributed 10 my cam
raien" IRepublican jeersl
AS parting shot Mr.. Hopkins declared
that ne had read the lefte-s 20 show .hst
MIR. Hepburn. OF the National City Bank.
who was controller OF tne currency unocr
the Harrison administration. In writing the
letter TO Secretary Gage. had all thcss
Democratic precedents before him
Mr.. McRae arose. showing much anger.
He declared that the letters read b. Mr..
Hopkins were private letters. and had been
furnished him for the purpose OF breaking
the force OF the charge made against Sec