The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1905-11-25
"FRlEND FROM UP THE RIVER
identity of the Rambunctious Gentle
man Is Disclosed

Identity of the Rambunctious Gentle
man Is Disclosed.
New York Nov. 23.-The identity Of
Senator Depew's "rambGActious friend
from up the river was disclosed in
the session of the insurance investi-
eating committee yesterday by the
testimony of John A. Nichols, law
yer under retainer by the Equitable
Life Assurance society. Mr.. Nichols
had written Senator Depew letter re-
ferring to an individual in the above
terms, and this letter was read at the
session of the committee Friday,
when Senator Depew was on the
stand. The senator was unable to re-
call who was meant by the ram
bunctious FRIEND but yesterday Mr..
Nichols disclosed series of pay
ments to w. S. Manning of Albany, q
former actuary who had been con-
nected with the investigation of insur-
anca companies in 1877 Mr.. Hughes
inquired as to report that Manning
had been In possession of the informa-
ton that
Was Suppressed
during this investigation and that
would have been detrimental to the
call the suppression of information.
but he detailed the payment of sums
of money over a considerable period
TO Manning as an inducement to give
up his business as actuary, in which
capacity he believed Manning was a
menace to the Equitable.
Mr.. Nichols said he was paid a re-
tainer from the Mutual and the New
York Life for the same duties, that of
taking care of Manning" as Mr..
Hughes characterized it.
He added that the payments by the
Equitable for Manning were made to
Mr.. Nichols on vouchers bearing false
names, which Mr. Nichols said was
done to protect Manning.
PIatt on Contributions.
Aside from the disclosures made by
Nichols on the witness stand, the
feature of the day was the appearance
of United States Senator Thomas c..
Plat, who did not hesitate to tell of
MES to state campaigns. The Equita-
BILE, the Mutual and the New York
Life were the only insurance compa-
MES that made such contributions.
The Equitable contributed regularly
$4,000 to state campaigns, the Mutll
al Life the same sum frequently, and
the New York Life sum not as large
occasionally. These moneys were al
ways delivered in cash to Senator
Platt's office by messenger, and he
turned them over to the state commit
tee The senator said he was
Expected to influence
the legislature when any legislation
appeared that was hostile to the com
panies. Senator Plat said he believed
he had asked President r. A. Nc
Uurdy, of the Mutual Life, for contri-
buttons when the needs were very
great. He had, however. never been
asked to use his influence on any
measure before the legislature, nor
had he ever done SO. He knew moth
ing about contributions to the national
committee.
Gage E. Tarbell, second vice presi-
dent of the Equitable life, was also a
witness again yesterday. His testi
mony Friday was interrupted by the
adjournment, and yesterday he con-
tinued his explanation of the agency
system, of which he had charge, and
the manner of arriving ut commits
SiOns.
Mr.. Tarbell's testimony was inter
rupted again during the afternoon SEES
sion and Assemblyman James K. APP
gar of Westchester was called. His
card with the inscription Mr.. Hyde
says to pay him. was attached to a
voucher for 81 900 which the Equita-
BILE paid Thomas d. Hustled, and the
voucher bore Husted's Endorsement.
Mr.. Apgar knew absolutely nothing
about the money, nor did he know how
his card came to be used for such
purpose, nor had he ever heard of any
money being paid by the Equitable to
any one else He knew Fields, but he
never knew Of his receiving money for
political purposes.