The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-22
PAID BLACKMA|L
TO : BOSS PLAT I
Astute Politician Ac.
knoWledges Receiving
Compensation.
$4,000 A YEAR TO
CAMP AlGN FUND
Senator Platt Testihes Before In
surance Investigation Com
mittec That He Appro-
priated the Contribu-
tions For His and
Other Influences.
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press.)
NEW YORK, Nov. 21.--John a. Mich
OILS. a lawyer, who was quarantine COM
missioner OF the port Of New York from
1850 to 1892, who wrote the letters to Sen-
ator Chauncey 81. Depew In behalf Of his
friend. who usually gets around at this
time OF the year" and who. he wrote,
was getting 'rambunctious and needed
help. was The first witness before the In
'nnrance Investigating committee to-day.
Much interest had been aroused by the
reading on Friday of the letter written
by Nichols to Senator Depew The sem,
ator was not able TO remember who Mr..
Nicnols's friend was.
AS shown by vouchers under observa-
ton by tho committee Friday, Mr.. Mich
&Gls received reta!ners from the Equitable
Life Assurance Society. When he went
before the committee to-day he testified
that he had been employed by the Eqni-
table for twenty to twenty-five years un-
der an annual retainer Of $1,000 and said
he Is st.ll under that retainer. Recently
he was employed by the Mutual Life In
surance Company. He said he was con.
suited by the officers OF the Equitable Oh
matters aot connected with the legisa-
$fura In 1904.
4 I
and Shis entrance created a stir In the
committee room. He walked In on the
arm OF his counsel and leaning heavily on
q cane. He took the witness chair and
WIS sworn. rs
Senator Platt said that the Equitable
Society contributed $1,000 a year to the
Republican o,ate campaign fund.
Senator Plat said the contributions
wore in cash and were sent by messenger
10 his offi CO and he turned them over to
the State committee They were unso-
lcited, he said. 4
quently paid as an annual contribution
to the State campaign fund. but that It
was not a regular thing and that he
could not remember the years n which;
4, was paid.
The New York Life Insurance Com.
pany. he sa Id. also contributed, but not
nearly SO much. No other nsurane COM
panics contributed SO far as he knew.
Senator Platt said he was expected In.
return for the contributions to influence
legislation when any measures were hos
tile to the insurance companies, He add
ed that he does not know Andrew Hamil-
ton nor anything about Hamiitons ac-
tvity before the lcgi ature.
He knew nothing about Andrew c.
Fields. who represented the Mutual Life
Insurance Company at Albany. Senator
Plat said also that he had received FREE.
uueNl rEDIl Oh SIV,Vyh GACus IlTCIl
the Mutual Life Insurance Com pany.
$50 far as you know, Senator. Wln!
have the insurance companies done In
regard to shaping legislation or prc-
venting legislation In this State?'' asked
Mr.. Hughes.
"a Il don't know anything they have dorr;
J never inquired into that nor have they
sought my influence a all In reference
10 IT. said Mr.. Plat
AL
been made of the contributions by The
Insurance companies for State cam
oa!sns?" Z,
i don't know anything about It. sir.
| turned these contri buttons over to th,.
State Committee, and then my connec-
ton with them ceased"
No Cash For Candidates.
DO you Know whether by virtue OF
such conlribu1 ons any al!otm ents OF
money We're made for the purpose of helb.
ing the campaign OF candidates for tho
'.egislature?''
There was not that know Of"
Inquiries have been made from time
20 time here with rega rd to the in 1s,1ra noe
department; what influence had the H.
surance companies in regard to the an
poinlment OF the superintendent of in.
iurance, SO far as you know?"
II don't think they had any influence
80 far as know"
Hive You ever been asked, Senator.
on behalf Of any of the insurance com
panies to intervene in their favor by
7sason OF such cOniributions?'
Never in the world
In connection with matters of legs-
lation of the insurance Departmental
Never in the world.
'At all. in connection with matters Of
'cgjslaton?"
They have never asked me in the
world"
"And yon have never done anything
of the kind?"
~ have not"
Contributions Justified.
The senator EXPRESSED the opinion thai,
life Insurance companies were justified
in making campaign contributions while
the gold Issue was at stake, He did not
care to pass upon the just tincatIon Of the
companies III giving money for State
campaigns.
what advantage could they get BY so
contrbutlng?'' asked Mr., Hughes.
''They got It through mo as being con-
nectcd with the State committee. They
would be very likely to defend them at
times when 1t WAS necessary, ! never
had occasion to do It,
'Have they over requested your sup,
port In any matter?'
'"rhey never have"
II understood you to say they would
expect you would support or defend
them; now. what class OF possibilities
lad you In mind in saving that? TO see
he Legislature did not enact Legislation
which they thought hostile TO policy
holders?" 5ss
"That is about what II would amount
ko' XII
"How could you control that situa-
tion?"
"IIow could You IN any way influence
~ might have some influence"
.urhrough the disposition Of the moneys