The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-06-09

gentleman from Maine. No such thing
could be discovered anywhere. The in.
vestigation proposed was proper, for the
gentleman from Maine was not "a.
sailed by it.. II he was a party on
trial It was from his election that he oc,
cupled that distinction. II he was nc
cused, It was not out Of the lips Of his po'
litical enemies that the accusation came
The real question was whether there wa
probable cause for investigation. Th'
history Of the public rumors was noto
rious TO the country and TO the world
The connection Of the gentleman from
Maine with these public rumors was
equally familiar, TO the country. There
was no circumstance connected with the
investigation which in the slightest de-
gree pointed to it as q partisan or
ganization, but precisely the con
trary was confirmed Of Il by every
Circumstance connected with it. He (Tar,
box) did not know where the committee
had got the information that gave II Q
clue to the investigation. He never had
had any conversation with any OF the
members OF the committee with reference
to the witnesses or to the conduct Of the
investigation, with single exception.
That he had protested to Hunton, chair.
man OF the subcommittee, that the in
vestigation should not be prosecuted in
any respect rs \ personal. matter, but
purely as subject Of public inquest into
the transactions by a corporation which
was in some respects amenabte TO the
Government for its honest management.
That was his entire connection with the
prosecution. 1t had originated not in the
pursuit Of malice by any man who had a
doubtful Union record, but it had origi.
mated with one who had not only served
in the Confederate army, but who had
not served in the Union army by'a sub
stitute alone. Laughter.
Mr.. Frye said that he wished to state
q suggestion which presented itself TO his
mind, and which he had no doubt had
occurred to the minds Of very many gen.
tlemen, that the position taken by the
gentleman, Tarbox, of the sacredness OF
the conversation was sadly at variance
with the gentleman's own conduct in ref
erence to a speech made by Blaine some
months ago, that he said was printed
speech, one copy Of which had been sur.
reptitiously taken from the possession oi
his colleague or the printer, and he had
learned on good authority that while his
colleague was making his speech, that
printed copy surreptitiously taken was
on the desk Of the gentleman, Tarbox,
who at once proceeded 10 reply 10 il.
The suggestion rs to the sacredness OF
private conversation, as argued by that
gentleman, had amazed him (Frye) while
that fact was in his possession. tPlaudits
and encouragement from the Republican
members.
Blaine took the floor, but Tarbox rising
at the same time, Blaine yielded to him
i Mr.. Tarbox-I don't know what rela-
tion the remarks Of the gentleman from
Maine Frye) have TO the subject, the
matter Of privileged question, to which ]
rose. l am quite unaware in what
school Of propricty the gentleman has
been brought up. | do not know
what he charged me with nor under
stand what he intimates, | suppose il
is that | by some improper method OBJ
tanned possession Of the speech which the
gentleman from Maine intended to deliv-
er as his best counsel TO his countrymen,
on subject affecting deeply the public
welfare, and that made some improper
use Of that paper. have simply to re-
ply that what ne states is utterly untrue
A scene OF confusion occurred. After or
der was restored Tarbox disclaimed
charging Frye with any Intentional un'
truth. He supposed that that gentleman
had spoken from the rumor or perhaps
out Of suspicious temper or perhaps Out
Of some irritation.
Mr.. Frye-Irritation at what?
Mr.. Tarbox-All the irritation that
, can conceive the gentleman TO feel in re
gard to the discussion Of the question is
that by q certain circumstance a deliver
ance on public question that was made
for personal purposes and not from pa
. triotic consideration for the public good
which contained within it that which wa
a calculated speech by statesman to mis-
lead bis countrymen, was not permitted
to 20 forth 10 the country without certain
; fits mis.statements having been retutec
on the spot. The gentleman mus
not make q charge, and then cross
examine the man whom he charges with
the ofIense in order to find out whether
it is true or not.
Mr.. Frye-We will leave il there;
have nothing further to ask the gentle
man.
Mr.. Blaine-I never supposed that az
occasion would arise when | should de
sire or could be induced TO, state thai
, transaction to the House. Before ! left
, my home last autumn To resume my pub
, lie duties here, l did, as many gentlemen
have done, prepare a speech on IN alb
sorbing public questionable currency
II was printed at newspaper oihC'
with which / was for number
OF years connected. It was printed il
I confidence on the top Of the speech that j
was sacredly confded 10 the Associated
Press, with the intimation that whoever
found himself in possession Of copy 9
1t before its publication was in possession
OF II wrongfplly. Various circumstance
postponed the delivery Of the speech iron
the month Of December, when / expected
, To deliver il, until the 10th OF February
Meanwhile, FIVE or six weeks before ! de
liyered it, / ascertained that the gentle
man from Massachusetts (Tarbox) had
, copy OF il in his possession, and that hi
had offered it for publication to som'
! newspaper man. How it came in his pos
ession do notknow. never have beeI
able to know. ! have surmised, ] assert
, that it was there, that il was in his pos
session for weeks, and that his holding /
, was In violation Of the primal laws o
honesty as much as though he had hclt
my watch; just the same. ! have nevel
| recognized the gentlemen since. / onl!
recognize him to-day 10 make that state
ment. l now take up the motion to re
! consider the resolution for printing Ger
tain evidence. Tarbox rose.
The Speaker pro tenn asked Blaine !
he yielded the floor TO Tarbox.
:. Mr.. Blaine-I will hear what he has L
say.
, Mr.. Tarbox-I understood the gentle
man from Maine TO indicate that ] Of
fered printed speech purporting to b
his TO some newspaper.
Mr., Blaine-T heard it.
Mr.. Tarbox-It Is not true.