New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-12
DIETRICH UNDER FIRE.
Senate Committee Begins IHCestiga-
ton of Charges.

- ~''NN'
Washington. March 1.-THE Senate inquiry into
the charges against Senator Dietrich. Nebraska.
began to-day before the special committee in Seua-
tor HOar's committee room. The inquiry. which
was instituted upon the demand Of Senator Diet
rich. Is for the purpose Of probing the charges
which the Senator indicted last fan in Ne
braska. and which were dismissed demurrer.
The committee consists OF Senators Hoar PIatt OF
| Connecticut SpOOner. COckreH and Pettus Senator
Dietrich repeated his wish that the investigation
should be the fullest possible
Leopold Hahn. postmaster at Hastings from 1897
10 1901, was the first witness. He succeeded IN
that office by Mr.. Fisher In reply questions by
Senator Hoar. Mr.. Hahn related a conversation
with Fisher on April o. 1901. relative 10 his
Pisher's appointment postmaster He asked
me-" said the witness. what the office paid. I
told him $500. He said that was what Dietrich
wanted him to pay for the office He also told
that Adam Breede had said that Dietrich had
asked him 1850. or 500 year for the four years
He asked me- the witness continued. what 7 had
paid Senator Thurston for my appointment. and I
said one cent
Replying TO a question from Mr. Hoar. Mr. Hahn
said that when Mr.. Dietrich was elected he had
given up all idea OF being continued as postmaster
because he had understood from various sources
that Dietrich after his scalp" Asked il his
feeling toward Dietrich very friendly he ad-
mitted that 1t
Nj Hahn also testified to Fishers good char
acter, and said that Fisher had supported Dietrich
Loyalty. Fisher had told him that he CFTsher) was
friendly to him CHahm for reappointment. but had
told him he satisfied that he OIahn) could
not get It.
Mr. Battey. counsel for Senator Dietrich. cross
examined Hahn. and the witness said that he had
known Fisher for twenty-five years. He said that
Fisher had told him that Dietrich had said to him
that Breed was TO give $500. The witness added
that he had talked TO Breede more than once. and
that Breede had told him the story Of his offer
true. L a candidate for the position Of
Postmaster before the Senate fight began" said
the witness. but GIr. Dietrich said to everybody
that could not have the place. He had always
fought before when I for office. while
had Loyalty supported him" He admitted that he
had frequently said that 1t a long road that
had no turn. and that he would see that when
Dietrichs term out he did not get another
election He would not admit however. that ne
had said that he would spend $4,000 to beat
Dietrich
John d. Pope, ex-State Senator. an attorney who.
Mr.. Hahn testified. had advised to the course
Fisher would have to pursue with the note for
/ $500 which Fisher had told Hahn he wanted TO
given to Dietrich for the postmastership said that
| he had had a conversation with Hahn the train
/ between Lincoln and Hastings Hahn had asked
him whether given for the purpose OF secUr-
ing an appoint ment could be defeated. and he had
/ answered in the affirmative. He also said that at
/ the time Hahn had told him that Fisher had
agreed to pay the $500 to Dietrich for the office.
\ and wanted TO know If he gave note for that
/ sum he could avoid paying Il.
on cross examination the witness said that Ham
/ had not shown any great feeling. but that. know
/ ing there had not been good feeling between Hahn
/ and Dietrich. he had supposed the condition OF
/ affairs had grown out OF that circumstance. lie
had not given serious consideration to the matter
| and had not thought OF it seriously rejecting
upon the character OF Senator Dietrich
HAHNS MEMORANDUM
| The following memorandum. which Hahn said
/ he made thirty minutes after the talk. ad-
| mtted in evidence:
/ Conversation held between Leopold Hahn and
/ Mr.. Dietrich will cause 10 appoint. or for sale.
/ Bietriicf7'ss proposal to FISHER.
room called P the Dietrich Building Which viii cost
second-To pay for all coal during the four years
for heating such room: also pay for the janltors
/ of the salary Of the postmaster and give it 10
Dietrich Besides this. the government will pay
beetTh the LISA said pietfieh Budn E furnishing ana
What kind OF Senator have the peoples got OF
Mr.. Adam Breede is willing to sacrifice himself
and pay Dietrich 500 per year out Of his salary or
took place at Fishers bakery. in the han leading
to the baker shop, between the hours Of go m
SO help me God. Every word of this is the truth
the whole truth. so help me God This 2}d d9X Of
April. 1911 LEOPOLD HAHN
On reassembinE j. s williams Of Hastings
Editor Of The Hastings News" said that Hahn
stated to him that Breede had offered 500 a year
fer the b S s6 ChS 70 S6 ss snd
the office Fisher asked the witness what he
thought about the rumor Of Breedes offer, and I
told Els her" said Williams, that. knowing Die
trich as l did. / did not believe he would appoint
Fisher on a friendship basis The witness then
said Fisher stated to him (Williams) that he did
money Fisher then told the witness that he did
believe no could get anything from Dietrich
without paving for IT, The witness said he asked
Fisher about how he settled the Breede matter.
and he replied. Il had 10 raise BreedeS bid.
Fisher told Williams. according 10 his testimony.
that Dietrich had said that he had to pay $1,000
be elected Senator Fisher, according to the wit
would not have done IT, I would not have paid this
sum Of money to be Senator"
To this Dietrich replied: Never mind. Jake.
that is nothing ] have the appointment OF all the
Of making money the side I'm the Senate
FISHERS DENIAL.
Jacob Fisher. the present postmaster Of Hastings
testified that there sharp rivalry between
the east and west sides OF Hastings-ave. Some
friends wanted him to be a candidate for oil in
spectOr. and Dietrich. then having been elected
Governor. witness went TO Lincoln in the fore part
Of February. 1901. the oil office. but instead OF
giving him this Dietrich pledged his undivided sup
port for postmaster at Hastings. on the expiration
Of Hahn's
In reply 20 = question By Senator PIatt the wit
said that Hahn and himself had had
conversation Hahn had testified. The witness
said he had severed political relationship with
Hahn in 1850.
Il say absolutely. 1 never had a conversation
with Hahn along the lines OF his statement. I
gave note to Senator Dietrich. suggested
Mr.. Hahn. he and I have been opposite sides
for years, although both Republicans he said
The committee adjourned until tomorrow