The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-18

washington. April ls.-Precedng the
senate yesterday Mr.. Tillman called up
his resolution directing tho senate COM
mttee on finance 10 enter upon an In
vestigation OF the question of campaign
contributions by the national banks and
after he had spoken the resolution was
referred TO tho finance committee.
In the course OF his speech Mr.. Tillman
read letter from New York banker
suggesting that the auditor OF the Repub-
llcan national committee should be called
TO give testimony concerning the contrib
utions 10 the Republican fund OF the last
campaign
Mr.. Tilman said that he would not con-
fine the inquiry 10 the Republican COM
rnittee, but would extend IL to the Demo-
cratic committee. He again referred TO the
affairs OF the Walsh bank OF Chicago.
and In that connection was engaged in
sharp controversy by Mr. Hopkins. who
declared the Walsh bank not 10 he insol-
vent. He also said In reply 10 a question
from Mr.. Tillman that Mr. Walsh had not
been indicated
Mr. Foster spoke for almost three
hours on the rate bill. contending for the
validity OF the proposed legislation. urg-
ing its necessity in order 10 check the
growing power OF the railroads, and an.
view with n prohibition against tempo
rary injunctions In rate cases BY the In
ferior Federal courts
when Mr.. Tilman called up his resolu-
tion directing the committee on finance 20
make inquiry concerning political contrib
ution by national banks he had read an
article by James w. Breen, printed in the
New York Herald, entitled How the
Banks Filled Hanna's War Chests" MAX
NO n ai ~
Mr.. Foraker, speaking for the sub-com-
mittee having the rate bill in charge. said
that he had been I'm frequent conference
with Messrs. Knox and Bailey the other
members Of the subcommittee. and that
they were now prepared 10 report 10 the
full committee recommending legislation.
No disposition had been manifested TO
conf rnYert the charge that Contributions
had been made In 1896.
HOW NOT TO DO IT.
Mr.. Tillman replied that he had no de-
sire 20 reflect on the subcommittee. bat
he added: There are various and bril-
liant methods I'm tho senate as 10 how not
20 do a.. az which some are especially eX-
pert. and. as ] have noted the failure of
the committee on privileges and elections
20 act l have asked that my new resolu-
tlon he sent 90 the committee on finance.
Mr. Tillman then said ne had been told
that tho total contributions 20 the Repub-
lican funds in 1896 had been 10000 In
1900 s2sOo.oo0, and IN 1904. $4,000 lie
also spoke OF the expose made by Colonel
Andy Hamilton In his recent experierca
before A legislative committee at Albany,
IN which he said that in addition 20 the
contributions by the McCslls, he had given
$1,000 90 the Republican fund AMI eN-
pressed the opinion that many OF the facts
in connection with those contributions were
Sill being "smuggled up yonder NJ AL
bany." Iie said that the McCurdys We're
being sued for 10000 that had been mis-
appropriated or stolen
Mr. Tlllman read a letter whlcn he hal
received Monday from n New York bank.
er, name not given. in which the sugges-
tion was made that n it was considered
q, ,sirable 70 get a the details concerning
the Republican campaign contributions
the committee should examine Auditor An
thony OF the Republican national commit
tee, who he said could give a complete
list OF oil the contributors 10 added
that statements ~ contributors and O.
those who did not contribute wcre made
periodically. and that the pre- rdcn; knew
who they were.
ROOT RESPONSIBLE
The same letter writer also volunteered
the Information that an sxamina :ion
would reveal the fact that Secretary Root
had been responsible for The appointment
OF ex-secretary Morton as the head OF the
Equitable company and that the purpose
OF his selection had been 90 head Of the
Insurance Investigation. lie declared also
that Governor Higgins had held OF the
inquiry as long as possible and that when
the Investigation was begun ~ was under
taken BY the Republicans IN order 90 In
sure their control ot n.
Continuing. Mr.. Tiliman ssii another
mason why he desired the Investigation