The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-10

SAYS HE HAD NO CONNECTION
WITH COTTON SCANDAL.
Mr.. Cheatham Also Says There Was No
Evidence Against Hlm-Seoretary vii.
son Asked to Retraot the Charge or
Take Ills Chances in . suit for Libel

son Asked to Retract the Charge or
Take Ills Chances in . suit for Libel.
WASHINGTON, July 9.-Theodore Prtoe
OF New York. the cotton broker who was
mentioned In Secretary Wilson's report
on the cotton scandal in the Department
Of Agriculture. has requested Secretary
Wilson Ito withdraw the unjust. offensive
and uns,stained charges and implications
contained in the published report made
yesterday in connection with the removal
of Edwin S Holmes, Jr.
The request, which amounted prac-
tically to a demand, was made to-day
through Mr.. Price's attorney, William NJ.
wins Of New York. Messrs. Price and
WINS arrived here this morning. and early
this afternoon Mr.. Twins had confer
enos with Secretary Wilson and Richard
Cheatham Of the Southern Cotton Growers
Association. Mr. WINS made known to
Secretary Wilson that his client insisted
upon a complete retraction. and that II
he failed to receive such vindication he
would proceed against Mr.. Wilson under
the libel laws.
Secretary Wilson has taken Mr.. Prices
request under advisement and Will prop
ably announce his decision tomorrow.
Mr.. WINS informed the Secretary that MIR.
Price had obtained from Mr.. Cheatham
signed statement. In which he (Cheatham)
declared that Prices name was not mem
toned in the charges submitted to Score
tary Wilson and that 30 far as Cheatham
knew there was no evidence connecting
Mr.. Price with the leaks or Juggling In the
Department. The following statement to-
gether with that of Mr.. Cheatham. was
made public by MIR. Price tonight;
Mr.. Theodore H. Price was In Washington
to-day. and through his attorney has re-
ouested Secretary Wilson to withdraw the
unjust, offensive and unsustaned charges
and implications contained In the published
report made yesterday In connection with
the removal OF Edwin S. Holmes. Jr The
Secretary has Mr. Prices request under con-
alteration Meantime Mr.. Price has secured
from Mr. Richard Cheatham the following
statement
MIR. Cheatham states that after evidence
which he had furnished to Secretary Wilson
was turned over 70 the Secret Service de-
partment his services were enlisted by that
pepa rtInent to assist the man In whose charge
the matter was placed to secure any ad-
ditional misunderstanding the case. 1t was
decided that more evidence might be secured
In New York. and in the hope of doing so the
Secret Service agent acc ompaned by Mr..
Cheathhn, went there for that purpose
After working together in close touch FOR
three or four days. during which time num-
Der of persons who were supposed to Know
something about the case were examined
by the Secret Service agent alone, and after
having fully gone over the ground and ex-
aiming every one who in the opinion OF the
Secret Service agent and MIR. Cheatham
could possibly have any connection with
the affair Mr.. Chcatham left New York.
Before leaving he had long conference
with the Secret Service agent. who expected
to leave a few hours later. During this
conference n full discussion OF the matter
was had and Mr. Cheatham insisted that the
Secret Service agent call to see Mr.. Theodore
H. Price before leaving the city. for the pur-
pose Of finding out what connection he had
with the case If any. as his name had been
mentioned in one OF the letters submitted
us evidence.
Mr. Cheatham was informed by the Secret
Service agent that he had not been able to
secure any evidence from any one that would
In the least connect Mr.. Price with the AFFAIR.
and that he had been told by Mr. Haas that
he tHaas) did not know Mr.. Price and had
not any connection with him in any way
Up to the time that Mr.. Cheatham left New
York he was Informed by the Secret Service
man that he had not seen Mr.. Price for the
reasons above stated. and would not do so.
as H. was his opinion that it would be use
evidence that would implicate Mr.. Price.
up 10 the time the Secret Service agent
closed his report Mr.. Chcatham remained IN
close touch with him for the purpose OF fur
nishng him with any facts connected with
the case that were obtainable. Mr., Cheatham
stated that he failed TO learn OF any new
facts or even suggestions from any one who
might know that Mr. Price was connected
with the matter. Consequently Mr. Cheatham
was very much surprised when he first noticed
in the report given out by Secretary Wilson
to the press the name OF Mr. Theodore Price
mentioned prominently In connection
with the case. as he did not know of any evil
dence having been presented or secured by
any one that would warrant tho use of Mr..
Price g name In connection with the affair
RICHARD CHEArHAM.
Tho arrival here of Mr.. Price and Mr..
Twins and the interview Of Mr.. Wins with
Secretary Wilson, together with Mr.. Cheat
hams statement that Price, 80 far as his
information goes had no connection with
the cotton leaks. add another Interesting
chapter to tho cotton scandal.
Neither Mr. Price nor Mr.. Wins was
inclined to discuss the case tonight. Mr..
Price reiterated that he was innocent OF
any wrongdoing, and he insisted that the
officer who was responsible for the state
ments that he secured information from
Holmes must either retract or take his
chances in the courts. Should Secretary
Wilson decline to acoede to Mr.. Prices
demand and proceedings be instituted
under the libel laws it would have
the effect Of reopening the cotton scandal
and renewing the investigation. Messrs.
Price and Wins returned to New York
tonight.
It is very unusual. If not unprecedented
for member of the Cabinet to he sued
Tor libel. Senators and members Of Con-
eress cannot be held responsible under the
law of libel for remarks made on the floor
of the Senate or House, and it may posi-
bly, be questioned whether a member Of
the Cabinet is not immune from prose-
cution on account of statements made
by him in an official report.
HOLMES MAY RE Prosecuted