New-York tribune., 1905-07-10
COTTON SCANDAL TO DRAG.
WILL my ONE BE JAILEDp
Possible PrOSecutiOn-C Chcatham Er-
onerateS Price and Hyde.
IrEos TIE TE1suxE BuREAU.l

H--
Washington. July 9.-Secretary Wilson's dis
position OF the cotton scandal in his depart
ment seems 10 have ocCasioned more dissatis-
faction than the reverse. Indications are that
the affair viii not down. The former District
Attorney. Morgan II. Beach. who Secretary VIII
son says advised him that a criminal prosecution
against the former associate statistician. Mr.
Holmes. would not lie. has made a statement
this evening, apparently at the instigaton Of
the Department OF Justice which tends TO the
opinion that prosecution would lie against
Holmes on several counts. Mr.. Beach says that
The eviGence which Secretary Wilson submitted
10 him did not appear 10 afford ground for GRIM
inal prosecution. but intimates that he did
not see all Of the evidence collected by the Sc
cret Service operatives; that he was not con-
suited as 10 what evidence would be necessary
10 AFFORD ground for n criminal prosecution;
that he was asked TO consider the case as expe-
6itiously as possible. and that the documents
were in his possession only a feV hours
Some officials OF the Department Of Justice say
rslar had Secretary Wilson really cared 10 in
stitute a criminal prosecution ne could easily
have ascertained that such was warranted
They say that Holmes could be prosecuted for
conspiracy, for stealing government documents
and fo- accepting a bribe. While no one ap-
pears willing 10 come out il the open and make
CllalEeS. lltTe Is IllaLlAe6lg EOOQ zeal OF QiS-
satisfaction because apparently nobody is 10 be
prosecuted.
Theodore II. Price mentioned in Secretary
Wilson's report as having been implicated with
Holmes, came tc Washington to-day. and has
through his attorney made a demand on the
Secretary 10 TetracI that portion of the state
nlent which duplicates him price, MI Price
has also made public statement signed by
Richard Cheatham. in which Mr. Cheatham says
that so far as he knows Mr.. Price was not i'm
plicated in the scandal at all. Mr Cheatham's
statement is as follows:
Air Cheatkam states that after evidence which
over 10 the Secret Service department, his ser
0f2 49, ti---ste' bF t4-ai department 70 assist
secure any additional evidence regarding the case
:. va oSsldsc inal morn eElcen'e might pc Sc
Chea-.ar0. went there for that purpose. After
working together in close touch for three or four
days. curing which time number of persons who
were supposed 20 know something about the case
were examined by the Secret Service agent alone
Score. Service agent and NJ. Cheatham. could
.ttathain ieff New ork beIore leaNUs, ne LAD
q long conf renee with the Secret Service agent
VS. bsa and Mr. rl,eathSn7 Insisted that the
OH what connection he had with the case if any.
Hs bis uaEe had beer mentioned in one Of the let
t-rs submitted evidence.
l- Cheatham was informed by the Secret Ser
evidence from any one that would in the least con
bee-. told by NJ Haas thar Haas did not know
Mr Price and had no connection with him N
left NeN-Tork he was informed by the Secret
he reasons above stated and would not do so. as
& has opinion thar il would be- useless. as Be
$50 800 s,.i 1e5 ;Tg -e,, NJ - S7.aatbaT, , ne
~. .grf.l clos u ne
case rhat were 0btaInable. M Cheatham stated
that DE failed 10 learn OF any new facts. OF even
slggestions- from any one who might know, that
Mr Price was connected with the matter
Consequently Mr- Cheathan was very much sur
--i tE secretary wilson 20 TIE press the name OF
Theodore Price mentioned 50 prominently in con-
necJlon with The case as he DID not know of any
one -a- vo-5'I r,--+ --e 50 81 NJ f3-ices ,,s-
RICHARD CHEATHAM.
Mr.. Cheatham has determined TO go imme-
diately TO Mobile for further consultation with
The officers Of the Southern Cotton Planters
Association he said to-day that ne had deter
mined 10 take no further action regarding the
conclusion and report OF Secretary Wilson until
he had consulted the association. adding:
Il seems 10 me almost obvious that where
there was so much dishonesty il must have been
known 10 more than official. especially as IL
has extended over considerable period OF time.
However. I have determined 10 do nothing fur
lher Tor The present beyond making compre-
lieisiFe report 70 the association Of which
have the honor TO De secretary. Il viii remain
1or that association 10 determine what, if any.
further action should be taken. although I admit
thar j should suppose that the President would
insist on some further probing.
Asked II he believed that further Investigations
might implicate John Hyde. Chief Of the Bureau
n Statistics. Mr Cheatham replied:
no; there is nothing in the evidence whatever
which would seem 10 implicate Mr.. Hyde. be-
he'e be was entirely innocent Of the graft
which was being perpetrated in his bureau.