Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-19
HOUSE.
A Hale Storm.

N GbOEh
WASHINGTON, Dee. 1S.-Mr Hale, of
New \ Ork, rising to personal explanation,
referred TO the amendment offered yester-
day by Mr.. Wilson, of Indiana, directing
that fees paid to member Of Congress as
agent or counsel of the United States while
such member should have the amount de
Quoted from his compensation as member.
He said this was intended to fix on the
records and debates of the House a stigma
on him (Hale). 1t is a deliberate and
planned insult, and as such he accepted it.
He proceeded to give the history of his en-
Gagement as agent and counsel of the
United States on the Mixed British and
American Commission, saving he notified
the Secretary OF State after his election.
thIJ under the law he could not continue
tC act, and that Congress passed joint res
UlUtiOn authorizing his continued employ
ment as counsel.
Mr.. Eldridgc asked whether he did not
receive, during the time Of his professional
services, more than he received as a men,
Der Of Congress, even at the rate OF $500.
MIR. Hale characterized the question as
simply impeitinent. and declined to an
Swer. lie further said, what he had done
was under the authority Of Congress. prop
crly and lawfully stated within very short
time after. He made some remarks the
day before yesterday. lie was kindly
warned, by a distinguished General on the
floor, that a caStigation was in store for
him, and that children must not cry when
hard knocks were given. The gentleman
from Massachusetts (Butler) did not see tit
to prepare the castigatiOn thus 10 be admin
iStered, but he procured it to be admins
tered by reaching his great arm around the
gentleman from Wisconsin, Nldridge).
and through him procured the gentleman
from Indiana (Wilson) to present the
amendment.
GIr. Butler-Not a word Of truth in if.
Mr.. Wilson OF Indiana-The gentleman
is entirely mistaken. The gentleman from
Massachusetts never said one word 10 me
on the subject.
Mr.. Eldridge-And say that every word
relating to me in regard to thatmatteris un-
true.
Mr.. Hale-If the gentleman who gave
me the information will allow me. | will
name.
Mr.. Butler-Parlon me, | will give all
the information.
Mr.. Hale will hold the floor until |
nave finished my remarks. l SAY that |
have the authority Of gentleman on this
floor, whom | shall name if he permits. for |
saying that the amendment of the gentle |
man from Indiana, (lIr. Wilson,) came be- |
fore the House at the suggestion of the |
gentleman from Wisconsin. (Mr. Eldridce.O |
and 1t came pursuant to warning which |
the gentleman from Massachusetts (NIr. |
Butler) had given me. The selection WAS |
an eminently appropriate one. The gentle
man from Indiana Mr. WILSON, is special
Of the class of men to whom
the salary law of 1873 was due. who bv
their votes, when forced to a direct and |
square vote, condemned the proposition.
and then, by their votes, when they could |
escape from their responsibility and carry
-hc idea to their constituents that they were
opposed to the measure, aided by a subter-
-uge in the passage of the bill. Mr.. Hale
hen referred to the several votes taken at
he last session on the salary question, in
imating that in some Of the votes Mr.. Will
son had lodged by preference from voting.
With such a record he was not surprised
hat the gentleman from Indiana had been
selected us the instrument to make that at
acll upon him. II was not an uncommon |
hing to find those who, when defiled them
selves, were anxious to deiile those around |
hem. He had seen a eur going from
puddle with its hair draggled with filth,
orce its way among decent people and rub
tseif against them or shake its filth against
hem. He had seen that experiment tried,
md had seen decent people smiTshed in
hat way. But he had never known the cur
hat did it to be anything else than dirty
iog, and he believed that that would in-
.yitably be always the case.
Wilson'S ReIoinder.
Mr..Wilson, of Indiana, havinggot unan-
nous consent to reply to Mr.. Hale, began
~ saving that the House had just had
cry fine specimen of dirty dog. ZAP |
'lause and lapd-clapping, which the Speak
+ reproyed.l The stand which he (Wilson) |
lad made last session on the salary queS-
ION he had never shrunk from. He had
lot gone about the country calling that a
alary grab, nor had he under any circum-
tances conceded that he had done any
hing which he had not right to do, and
ihlch was not consistent with his integrity
nd honor. The dodging of which he had
cen accused by the gentleman from New
Ok he explained, by showing that the
otes referred to had been taken while he
WILSON, was i'll Boston by order Of the
i0uSe, carrying on the Credit AlObilier
lVeStIgatlOn. He defended his action yes |
9rday Ill Offering the amendment on the
round that the gentleman from New York l
Hale) had been running about the House |
II several day prescribing clean linen for I
else, and as he did not wish that
nat gentleman should wear dirty shirt,
e had offered the amendment; that the
entieman had charged members Of the last
congress with having enacted the salary
III by trick, subterfuge and evasion, and {
9 (Wilson) thought he would show that {
lie gentleman had been doing the same I
hing himself in an aggravated degree. :
)uring the time he (Hale) had been draw ]