The Tupelo journal., 1905-09-29
THOSE POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
Testimony Of President Mccall Of
New York Life Insurance Co.
FUNDS FOR CAMPAIGN OF 1904
Republicans Not the Only Solicitors
-Witness' Life Made Weary by
Democratic Candidates Chas-
Ing Him for Money.

New York, Sept. 21.-Political con-
tributions Of the New York Life lnsnr-
ance Co. and the connection of Andrew
A, Hamilton, of Albany, with the al
legged political activity Of the company
were the points around which the hear
ing before the legislative insurance
committee turned Wednesday.
President John A. Mccall of the New
York Life Insurance Co. was the chief
witness, and for several hours he was
subjected to fire of questions by
Charles e. Hughes, counsel for the
committee, concerning the money paid
for political purposes.
A Sensational Climax.
The climax was reached when Mi.
Mccall declared that the soliciting OF
funds for campaign purposes was not
confined to the republican party in the
campaign of 1904, and announced:
MY life was made weary by the
democratic candidates chasing me for
money in that campaign. Some OF the
very men who to-day are being inter
viewed in the papers and denounclng
men who contribute to campaigns were
crossing my path every step took look
ing for money. One-the candidate
himself-Parker, il he would show up
his books when he was chairman OF the
democratic state committee it would
give you a fit. He never rejected a
dollar in the world. He would take
every dollar that was paid to him"
Judge Parker was chairman Of the
democratic state executive committee
in 1885,
Greeted With Cheering.
Mr.. McCalrs statement was greeted
with wild cheering, which continued
until a threat was made to clear the
room of listeners, if the crowd did not
restrain itself
With great care the account OF An
drew A. Hamilton with the company
was analyzed by Mr.. Hughes, who
asked Mr.. Mccall about every item,
and made it clear that search was
being made for political contributions.
Mr.. Mccall stoutly maintained that
he had given Mr.. Hamilton no money
to be used in influencing legislation at
Albany. but the admission was OBJ
tained from Mr.. Mccall that Hamil-
tons expenses at Albany were paid
from the company's funds and that his
ci,h iftQd fn qn1if.
Money Paid to Hamilton.
1t was shown that s235, 900 had been
paid to Hamilton with only a verbal
accounting to President Mccall. and
that at present Hamilton owes the
company about 100000; but Mr.. Mccall
said he felt sure that Hamilton, who
is now in Europe, will repay the sum
upon the company's demand.
Judge Alton B. Parker, democratic
candidate for president in 1904, gave
out a statement concerning President
McCalls testimony relative to the So
licting of funds from the New York
Life Insurance Co. by the democrats in
1904. The statement follows:
Denied by Judge Parker.
''My attention has been called to GER
tain testimony said to have been given
by Mr. John A. Mccall, while wit
ress before the insurance investigation
committee, in reply to Mr.. Hughes
question whether he thought that in
1904 the interests, Of the policyholders
were SO seriously endangered that the
company ought to contribute
"It is evident that Mr.. Mccall was la
boring under great excitement in max
ing his reply, for it is very incoherent.
But if his answer is intended to convey
the impression that in the campaigd
of 1904, J, either directly of indirectly,
solicited from him or his corporation,
or any other corporation, any money
or valuable thing, his statement is abb
solutely false.
"On the contrary, I repeat now what
said before the election, that l ek-
pressly notified and directed the chair
man of the executive committee of the
national committee, that no money
should be received from corpora
tons"
a.