Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-08
Plain Lan1Id0e.

When the Naval Investigating Com
mitlee made their partisan report to the
House. Mr.. Frye. Representative from
this District, arose and told the Members
some pretty homely truths concerning
theiI conduct during The pas, session.
He used plain language which it was
impossible 10 misunderstood or misin-
terpret. It's the most severe arraignment
of the House we have yet seen. and SO
truthful in every particular, that We
publish his remarks in full. Mr.. Frye
said:
dres sing this House for fifteen minutes, and yet
as | have no connection with the Naval Com
mittee perhaps IL j. just TOR me 10 say that as q
member OF this House, rs lawyer, as gentle
man careful and sensitive Ar 10 the honor OF the
Secretary of the Navy, gentleman whom have
known long, known well, and whom before this In.
yestigation commenced believed 10 be man Of
strict integrity, oil as noble purpose. OF as gen.
erous impulses rs any man within the circle OF
nv acquaintance, have studiously and critically
examined this evidence, and beg 10 say 10 the
House from the examination have made OF the
testimony, from the discussion which has taken
place on the door OF this House, i state on my
honor q member that my opinion has not been
changed as 20 the Secretary of the Navy one Jot
or title Sir, there periods In the history Of
the world WIFI darkness usurps the place Of light
as the spots now and then appear upon the face OF
the sun when justice is dethroned and tyranny 10
enthroned; when the possession OF virtue of puri
ty and integrity only lead 70 attack and perse.
cution upon the possessor; when suspicion secur.
es conviction while evidence fans; when father Is
against son and brother against brother; and the
members of ones own household are spies upon
n ~ ia mi iUA u hen he IN
reign and heaven TO serve. History repeats itself
and II ever one Of those dark periods Of time was
repeated in ,the history OF the American Con.
gress IL has been during the present session.
dare say here that not one score of gentlemen can
be found to-day on the hoor OF this house who if
they knew that the history Of this session was TO
be repeated would not declare that never again
would they represent their constituency in the
American Congress.
WHY, sir, il has been bitter 1t has been full of
suspicion, IL has been full of elimination and re-
elimination: all social intercourse has been i'm
Filtered by IL, and why Because great party or
the e)nutry, hungry and thirsty bylan abstinence
Of score OF years, thought that 1t saw fesh.pots
of Egypt and was bound to taste thereof. All ]
gentlemen, you have gone too far; you may get a
view Of the promised land but cut of your pros.
pect of ever reaching 1t by too fond desire for
an indulgence in hssh'pots. Sir, why is il that
scores Of committees OF this House, for the
past seven months, at cost 10 the people Of 3d..
900 day, clothed with the power of sending for
persons and papers, armed with subp9nas sitting
with closed doors, have sent these subpenas into
the slums and the alleys, aud the lanes Of great
cities; have brought in the drunkards, the insane
men, the discharged employees, and disgrsced
officials, and everything that was debased and
wicked and, sitting with closed doors, have taken
from their lips that filth they willing and de-
lighted TO dispense and from time to time have
scattered 1t through q partisan press: Only be-
cause the necessities OF the party seemed 10 re.
quire it.
Why is it that the Naval Committee listened 20
the story of Porter, who as naval constructor at
n Vic LAT
DESTROYED vessels sailing under the American flag
and inls false measurements OF timber IN that
yard though q dozen loyal men daily contradict
oim? The uecessities Of the party demspd IT,