The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
Effort to duplicate the New York Pol
itician in the Bribery Charges Re-
scented i'm n Statement.
TESTIMONY OF MR.. LESSLER
WHO TOLD OF PHILIP DOBLIN's VS.
1T TO HIS OFFICE.
Mr.. Quigg's Conversation i'm Regard
to the Holland Torpedo Boat
Also Related.

WASHINGTON Jan. 23.-The house COM
mittee on naval affairs began the investi-
CATION authorized by the House in conse-
quence of the charges made by Represent
alive Lessler, of New York, during a re-
cent session of the committee on naval
affairs that he had been approached with
an offer of money for his vote in committee
in favor of the construction of marine
torpedo boats. A brief secret session was
held prior to the opening of the inquiry
at which the method of procedure was
continued. Among those present during the
hearing to-day aside from the committee
and press representatives were ex-senator
]. NJ. Thurston, who appeared as counsel
for the Holland Torpedo Boat Company;
Lemuel f. Quigg, formerly a member of
the House from New York; ex-senator
Epha Hunton and Delaney Nicholl, an at
torney from New York.
Representative Lessler was the first wit
ness and his examination occupied great
er part of to-day's session. Only two other
witnesses were heard to-day. Mr.. f. b.
Zon, Mr.. Lessler's secretary, and ex-senator
Hunton. At / p. m. the committee, after
a brief secret session, took an adjournment
until tomorrow.
Mr.. LESSER, in his testimony to-day.
told of a conversation he had with Philip.
Mr.. Lessler said Mr.. Doblin came to him
one morning and asked If the Holland
submarine torpedo boat proposition would
again come before the House. 81 said I
suppose So" the witness said. ''He asked
if 1 was still opposed to it and 1 said /
was"
Mr.. LESSER testified that Mr.. Doblin said
Quiz
Mr.. Quigg had told him there was 5000 in
it if he Lessler) could be brought to the
other side Mr.. LESSER asserted that he
said there must be no further talk on that
proposition Mr. LESSER then said that
Doblin suggested that Mr.. Quigg was man
of power and influence and that If L
wanted to come back here 1 would be aid
ing myself by doing him this favor.
Mr.. Lessler then told of a conversation
he said he had with Mr.. Quigg at his Ues-
sler's) Office, 81 Nassau street. He then said
during the holiday recess Mr.. Quigg tele-
phoned that he wanted to see him. II
told him TO come over, and he came to my
Office within an hour" the witness said.
Mr.. LESSER said he then told Mr. Quigg
there should be no question of money.
In answer to questions he said Mr.. Quigg
had not mentioned torpedo boats, but add
ed: Il had no other business with Mr..
Quigg, and inferred that it was this
account that he came to see me-
Mr. Lessler told of a conversation he had
elections in New York, at his hotel in
Washington. Mr.. McCullagh, he said, told
him that there were men in New York who
could re-elect him or defeat him and that
they wanted him to support the measure
Mr. LESSER said he told Mr.. McCullagh that
he would not do it.
conversation with Doblin the latter was a
deputy in Mr.. McCullagh's office. He said
that Doblin got some mail in his Uessler' 81
office and had the freedom of his office. He
said also that Doblin was an ardent and
faithful political friend, and he Uessler)
felt under obligations to him. He did not
know except through the newspapers that
Doblin had been ordered off the floor Of
the Board of Aldermen, New York city.
Asked what were the political relations
between Mr. Quigg and Mr.. McCullagh.
| tions held by the two men. He knew of no
relations except that Mr.. Quigg was prob
ably one of those who advised McCullagh's
Former Senator Eppa Hunton, of vir-
| ginia. said he was counsel for the Holland
Company
Have you any acquaintance with Mr..
Quigg?" -
| him at II o'clock to-day in the committee
| ROOM" He said he had never authorized
anyone to make any proposals and had
| never heard of Mr.. Quigg being connected
with the company.
| testified to conversation which he said
| took place between Representative Lesser
and Mr.. McCullagh at Mr.. testers hotel
cullagh told IN Mr. LESSER that he he repre-
| sented men who could either defeat his
nomination or nominate him, and wanted
| him TO vote for the torpedo boat bill. Mr..
| Lessler, he said, refused.
The witness, replying to Mr. Thurston,
| said that McCullagh did not give the names
| of the men he said he represented.
Mr.. Quigg addressed the committee and
| said that in view of the fact that his name
| had been brought into this matter he would
| like to be heard at the earliest moment,
| but he was not given an opportunity to-day.