Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-22
SULLIVAN DESCRIBED
BY THREE WITNESSES
Former Governor Fort Refers to Him
as "Big-fieartcd, Good.Natured,
Honest Irishman."
HIS IMPRESSION is FAVORABLE
Mcclure Thinks Him Good Enough
for San Domingo, and Admits
Fact That, Because lie Is Minister
There, Leads to Seeking Contracts.

NEW YORK, January ol.-Jamcs NJ.
Sullivan. American minister 10 the Do
minican Republic, was described to-day
as "a big hearted. good natured, honest
Trishman." by former Governor Fort, o,
New Jersey: as a man 'actuated by high
purposes" by John 6. Gray. of Will
mington, Del, and las a man good
enough for San Domingo" by James *.
Mcclure, former Mayor OF Syracuse. All
three were witnesses at the inquiry be-
Ing conducted for the State Department
By Senator Elect Phelan. of California;
into the illness OF the minister TO mold
his post
Mcclure, one OF Sullivan's indorses
for the position. said he went 10 san
Domingo to seek contracts from the
government after Sullivan was appoint
ed. He was perfectly frank TO say"
that the fact that Sullivan was min
lister, Influenced him in going there. and
that a kind word from Sullivan" would
have helped him in his negotiations. lie
said he got no contracts. however, on
account Of change in the ministry.
Former Governor Fort, who headed a
commission which attempted last sum
mcr to compose the differences between
the Bordas government and the revolu-
informal inquiry there into Minister
Sullivan's conduct after hearing rumors
had been brought to his attention, but
! that on the whole his Impression OF
the minister was favorable.
Gray said he had recommended Sui
Ivan TO Secretary Bryan. but denied
that he had any selfish motive in doing
SO. He said he never had known any
body interested financially in San Do
mingo.
Gray's name had been associated with
that OF william g. Beer. attorney for
the Banco Nacional interests OF San
Domingo, who had been accused Of
. seeking to exploit the island and OF
having promoted Sulllvans appoint
m"nt in furtherancc of that purpose.
GRAY DID NOT KNOW
BEER HAD Any INTEREST
Gray said he did not know at the
time that Beer had any interest in
Sullivans appointment.
Gray was asked IL he had been in
strumcntal in securing the confirma :
ton of Boaz w. Long, former head of
the Latin American department of the
State Department as minister TO Sal
vador
Il did ask two Senator's 10 confirm
him" said the witness, but very
unfair political twist has been given
to that fact. never have had any
interest In salvador.
Gray told of taking Beer and Samuel
NJ. Jarvis. who controlled the Banco
Nacional to see Secretary Bryan on the
subject of a loan TO Nicaragua. where
Jarvis also had interests. Nothing
came OF the loan. however.
Mr.. Phelan asked how intimate the
witness was with Secretary Bryan. He
replied he would not call his relations
intimate. but that he was glad TO be
called the secrctarys friend, and tina,
he had entertained him at his home in
Wilmington. He said he had recon-
mendcd Sullivan at the instance OF
Irish American organizations in Will
mington.
! He put into evidence two letters
from sullivan which he said indicated
his moral purpose in his conduct OF
the post Inc one. Sullivan attributed
Immoral conditions in San Domingo
to suppression OF the influence of the
I Catholic Church. and said Bryan had
3 told him he was glad that he (Sullivan)
was a Catholic. In the other, he de-
scribcd his efforts to stamp out cor
( ruption, and said one of the best things
he had done was take away the finan-
cial affairs of the country from parties
who were guilty of questionable con-
/ duct and usurious rates and helped To
| give same TO a Legitimate bank"