The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-24
LESSLER'S CHARGES
UNDER THE X-RAY OF CONGRESS
SIGNAL INVESTIGATION.
WITNESSES ARE EXAMINED
TO DISCOVER III BRIBERY WAS
REALLY INTENDED.

Congressman LessIer Appeared BE-
fore the COmmittee-SaidH His sup
port of Torpedo Boat Measure
Had Been Solicited by an Ennis
snry of LemueI E. Quigg, by Quigs
Himself and by John McCulIaEh
lie Was Told There Was 5000 in
II for Him.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The House
Committee on Naval Affairs to-day en-
tered upon the investigation authorized
by the House in consequence of the
charges made by Representative Less
Ter of New York during recent ses-
sion of the Naval Affairs Committee
that he had been approached with an
| offer of money for his vote in the COM
mittee. Among those present during
the hearing to-day, aside from the
| committee and press representatives,
were ex-senator John Nj. Thurston,
who appeared as counsel for the Hol-
land Torpedo Boat Company; Lemuel
e. Quigg, formerly member of the
| House from New York; ex-senator
Eppa Hunton, and Delaney Nicoll, an
attorney from New York.
Representative Lessler was the first
witness, and his examination occupied
greater portion of to-day's session.
But two other witnesses were heard
to-day-F. B. Son. Mr.. Lessler's sec
rotary, and ex-senator Hunton.
How He Was Approached.
Mr.. Lessler testified that Philip Dob
| lin, a deputy in Supt. McCullagh's Of
| flee. said he had been sent for by Mr..
| Quigg and Quigg had told him there
was $1,000 in it if he Oessler) could be
| brought to the other side. Mr.. Lessler
said he said there must be no further
| talk on that proposition. Mr.. Lessier
| then said that Doblin suggested that
| Mr.. Quigg was a man of power and
| influence and that if l wanted to come
back here l would be aiding myself by
| doing him this favor"
He then said Quigg came to Lessler's
office. Mr.. Lessler said that he then
told Mr.. Quigg that there should be no
| question of money. He said Mr.. Quigg
had not mentioned torpedo boats, but
added:
| II had no other business with MIR.
| Quigg and inferred that Il was on this
account that he came TO see me-"
McCullaRh Called ON Him.
Mr.. Lessler told OF a conversation he
had with John McCullagh, superintend-
| ent of elections in New York, at his
hotel in Washington. Mr.. McCullagn,
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.. Lessler said he told McCullagh
that he would not do 1t.
At the request of Mr.. Quigg, Delan-
cey Nicoll questioned Mr.. Lessler Mr.
Lessler said he believed Doblin was
authorized to come to him. Mr. Less
Ter said that. Mr.. Quigg had told him
that he (Quigg) had no interest in the
Holland boat, but that a friend-a Mr..
Hunter of Virginia, as he remembered
the name-was interested in them and
that he wanted to do him a favor.
HuntOn Had no Hand In 1t.
Ex-senator Eppa Hunton of Vir-
ginia, the next witness, said he was
counsel for the Holland company.
Have you any acquaintance with
Mr.. Quigg?
Yes, sir. my acquaintance began
with him at IL 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 con-
nected with the company.
Mr.. Lessler's secretary, Frank b.
Son, testified to the talk which he said
took place between Lessler and Nc
Cullagn, when, he said, McCullagh told
Lessler that he represented men who
could defeat his nomination and want
ed him to vote for the torpedo boat
bill. Mr.. Lessler, he said, refused
Mr.. Hunton was recalled, when it
was explained to him that he was call
ed because of the similarity between
his maine and the name Hunter" men
toned by Mr.. Lessler.
Ex-Rep~esentative Lemuel f. Quigg
asked that in view of the fact that his
name had been used he would like to
be heard at the earliest moment. The
committee decided to hear Mr.. DobIin
next and adjourned until tomorrow.