Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-24
THE LESSLER CHARGE
OF ATTEMPT TO BRIBE.
House Investigations Begun-Ex-
Senator Hunton n VItness-L.
Il. auiEs Said to- Have
Been Man Who Suggest
cd the ss$5.O0O in It's,

WASHINGTON. January 23.-The
House Committee on Naval Affairs to.
day entered upon the investigation au.
thorfzed by the House In consequence oil
the charges made by Representative Less.
Ter. Of New Yorn. during recent ses.
sion of the Naval Affairs Committee
that he had been approached with an of.
fer Of money for his vote in the com
mittee. Among those present during the
hearing to-day. aside from the commit
tee and press Representatives were ex-
Senator John NJ. Thurston. who appear
ed as counsel. ex-senator Eppa Hunton
of Virginia. and Delaney Nicoll. an at
torney from New York.
Representative Lessler was the first
witness. and his examination occupied
the greater part of to-day's session.
Mr.. LESSER testified that Philip Doblin
a deputy in Superintendent mcCullagh's
office. said he had been sent for by Mr.
Quigg. and Mr.. Quigg had told him there
was $4,000 in it If he dessler) could be
brought to the other side.
QU1GG A MAN OF POWER.
Mr.. Lessler said, he stated. that there
must be no further talk on that PROPOSE
ton. Mr.. LESSER then said that Dob
lin suggested that Mr.. Quigg was man
of power and influence, and that if I
wanted to come back here I would be
aiding myself by doing him this favor
He then said Mr.. Quigg came to Less
ler.s Office Mr.. LESSER said he then
told Mr.. Quigg that there should be no
question of money. He said Mr.. Qugg
had not mentioned torpedo-boats, but he
added: II had no other business with Mr.
Quigg, sand inferred that 1t was on this
account that he came to see me-
Mr.. LESSER told of conversation he
hof3 r,,jfb 1o1,
dent Of elections in New York, at his
hotel in Washington. Mr.. McCullagh
he said, told him that there were men
in New York who could reflect him or
defeat him. and that they wanted him to
support the measure.
MIR. Lesser said he told Mr.. McCullagh
that he would not do 1t.
At the request of Mr.. Quigg, De-
lancey Nicoll questioned Mr.. LESSER. Mr.
LESSER said he believed Doblin was au-
thorized to come to him. Mr.. Lessler
said that Mr.. Quigg had told him that
he tQuigg) had no interest in the Hol-
Hunter. Of Virginia, as he remembered
the name-was interested in them. and
that he wanted to do HIM a favor.
3 SENATOR HUNTON'S TESTIMONY.
Former Sena tor 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 at II
o'clock to-day in the committee room. =
He said he had never authorized any one
to make any proposals and had never
heard of Mr.. Quigg being connected with
the company.
Mr.. testers secretary, Frank B. Son,
testified to conversation which he said
took place between Representative Less.
Ter and Mr.. McCullagh at Mr.. testers
hotel in Washington. when he said Mr.
Mccullagh told Mr.. LESSER that he repre-
sented men who could either defeat his
nomina ton or nominate him. and wanted
him to vote for the torpedo-boat bill. Mr..
LESSER, he said. refused.
General Hunton was recalled, and ii
was explained TO him that he had been
called because of the similarity between
his name and the name Hunter" men
toned by Mr. LESSER.
) Former Representative Lemue1 E. 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 COM
mittee decided to hear Mir. Doblin next,
and adjourned until tomorrow.