New-York tribune., 1879-12-19
ME. WEAVER EXPLAINS.

HE DOES NOT, HE SAYS. WRITE AND SIGN THE Pc
TITIoNs FOR THE ISSUE OF $450OO0,O00 OF
GREENBACKs To VETERANS OF TIE LATE WAR
"A LAUGH FROM TAX HOUSE.
icy TELEGRAPH THE TRIBCNE.i
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1s.-The House of Reprcsen-
tatvcs was treated this morning TO the first per-
sonal explanation" of the session. That breezy
statesman, Representative Weaver. of Iowa. rose
immediately after the reading Of the journal, and
declared that his character as a representative of
the people had been impugned. He therefore. de-
sired 10 make apersonal explanation.
Mr.. Fernando Wood appeared 20 fear lest Mr.
Weaver would take advantage of the occasion to
make one of his peculiar speeches ON finance. lie
therefore uttered a caution.
Nn. Weaver. on being allowed to proceed. sent to
the Clerks desk, and had read few words from
interview with him, printed a Washington dis
patch TO THE TRIBUNE of Wednesday. The Ian
guage to which MI. Weaver took exception Is as
follows:
II alleged that this gentleman is the author of the
numerous petitions which being rcreived here pur
porting from eN.Uuion soldiers These pc
mons all alike and pray for the OF law TO
pay ali discharged soldiers the difference between
the value of the creenbacks In which their wages wee
paid aud the value ~ gold at the time the payments
were made. MI Weaveris Inc medium by when Tie
petitioners communicate with the House and he To- day
informed TRIBUNE spOndent that petitions have
already been received from about 10000 persons. He
also said that petition from 100000 veterans aud
their representatives IN Pennsylvania Is on tae way here
Nh Weaver said that these words plain
imputation That he the author Of the petitions,
and that the petitions spurious He declared
that this is false: that the petitions are actually
signed by the persons whose names they bear and
that the place of residence of each petitioner is
given He then hurled back" the mputation
SANDER on himself and on the brave men who
are pettionng for equal rights with the bloated
Ioulhoders.
Mr. Weaver closed by saving that he neednot state
"what is we'll known TO every member Of this
House that since the death of Horace Greeley, THE
TRIBUNE has lost its character for honesty and in
tell gence." This rcmar, probably intended to
be severe; but it did not produce that impression
on the House, for ell the members united in a
hearty laugh as the chief Of the GreenbdckeTs sat
down.
It's TO be remarked. that after all Sr. Weaver did
not deny the allegation that hc is tho author" of
the petitions in the in which that word was
first used-namely that he set these petitions going
and in all probability supplied the form for them.
Mr. Weaver's bill would attract no more attention
than the measures affecting the currency which he
brought forward at the extra session If it were not
for these petitions; and Mr.. Weaver probably knows
it. The coincidence in time between the introduction
of his bI and the receipt of a food of petitions in
It's favor is entirely too close not to make the in
ference that both are the work of the same hand a
fair one.
Mr. Weaver also said to-day that he is not the
medium of communication between the petition
ers and the House, because other members Of the
House have presented some of the petitions. Mr.
Weaver Is entitled TO the benefit OF this e1plaDa-
ton.