Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-06
I he Episode i'm the Hou.e ycs,cra.,

HP'soue IN inc House Yesterday
Mn AASSiN"s EXPLANATION AND Mr.. srnrsossls
STATEMENT.
In his personal explanation in the House ycs :
'etoay MI. Manning denied that he had given
any authority for the publication or circulation
OF the charge that in his vote I'm the Donnellv.
"ashourn case Mr., Springer was actuaied nv
corrupt motives Mr.. Manning read the nnhIi
tatoh Oh the charges, and denied his authority
for them in detail.
Mir. Springer said he had sought "a prevent
publicity OF the matter because his wifes mama
was connected with n. He then read an anony
nous note. which reached his house during mis-
absence and was opened by his wife. IL was as
follows:
WASHINGTON, March q. $50.
Hon. Wt'hGW N. Springer:
II YOU will keep washburn In hts seat in spite
ol The democracy viii pay Mrs. =. e. e0 GET
The thing Squelched at once.
MI. Springer said the note was signed "A Re
publican, but Il did not come from one of that
political faith. He then charged. substantially
til'tl the anonymous note WAS written by one OF
Donnellys most intimate friends. who had
taken an active part I'm the case. This man WAS
Iehfy H. FINLEY, and Mr.. Springer read two
OthtI communication he had received from Fin
ley and said that when they We're plaC.Ni in his
hands he detected the similarity I'm the writing
1l the>e ana me anonymous production. Fin
ley mist letter over his own signature WAS
dated March 9Th, and began by EXPRESSING cha
grin at learning that Springer doubted the ex-
pediency OF voting 10 seat bonnelly. Not TO so
vote. continued Finley, will leave YOU
Springer open 10 the severeSt criticisms and
give color 10 the truth OF the reports which
NaShhurn'S friends have most unguardeily set
a1Qat. FINLEY then speaks or the Importance
OF nonnellys being seated upon the next pres
iGential election and says:
p" The whole case II before our friends in New
lork, ana upon assurances that gathered from
what you said 10 me have told them that the
report would be adopted and Donnelly would he
seated al once. cannot believe that Won will
now IAN 10 make this good. Among the letters
Whcn came 10 me there Is not one In which the
matter has not been urged 10 completion when
there has been any mention OF It. and it IS as
hbch matter OF general political interest az
any of which they write to me. ! am satisfied
that neither you nor the democratic Congress
can afford 10 diSappO'nt our friends in this mat
Ter. Pardon what may seem like inter-
ference I'm this matter. | sim hold the closest
and most confidential relations 10 those who are
perhaps personally most 10 be affected by your
decision in this matter, and I speak in this
capacity when Twr1te this and urge upon you
prompt and decisive action I'm this vital matter
ana may add that IL reaches further even than
have intimated and VIII bot Immediately and
remotely affect us ali beyond what can now be
apparent 10 you"
by ''our friends" Finley meant Tilden and his
ADVISERS In New York. Mr.. Springer insisted
that Finley wrote the anonymous note 10 pre-
pare the way for the one here quoted and that
II was an attempt 10 huldoZe him into voting
Tor Donnelly. In addition TO the similar lty or
The handwriting Mr.. Springer related another
piece OF testimony. He said Donnelly asked
him whom he suspected OF writing the note
and springer replied that Finley IT Don
nelly wanted his reasons and Springer said the
writing OF the two letters was alike. yes but
they were written on different kinds OF paper {"
quickly put in Donnelly. Mr.. springer asked
DCnnelly how he knew that, and he could not
explain. II was certain, said Mr.. Springer that
Donnelly had not seen the documents since
they came into his possession. Upon being ap-
pealed 10 all the members or the elections COM
mlltee except Mr. Manning, stated that they
had understood from Springer all along that he
would not vote 10 seat DoDnelly.