Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-06
XVI CONGRESS FIRST SESSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON. April ).

1 OH ~ idCiittdte utgOtialitH pI plii> u
lading and other instruments, and to punisl
fraud therein, was indefinitely postponed.
Bill granting pension to Jesse f. Phares
was laid aside.
The Senate took up the agreement with
the Ute Indians.
Mr.. Dawes opposed the bill. II provided
for the supper, of 1000 persons for an indef
mite length of time and would cost 81 200, 900
These Indians would not become self-sup.
porting while on the barren soil of narrow
| reservation. subject to encroachnent of en-
terprising miners and Subsisting on rations
dOled out by the government from day to day.
| The bill did not go to the root of the ques-
ton As to how we shall treat the Indian
tribes. He reviewed the governments policy
toward the Indians and declared his belief
that the numerous wars and immense amount
of trouble was due 10 faithleSsness of whites
toward the Indians. He would like to see
81 ,000. 900, appropriated in the bill, expended
in the education of the young Indians. Such
policy would gradually bring about peace
tul settlement of the Indian question.
At 40 the Senate went into executive
session and when the doors were re-opened,
Adjourned.
A bill requiring the Postmaster General TO
member of Congress an itemized statement
of all mail contracts during the preceding
| month, was referred.
| Bills introduced: To reduce the tax on
| distilled spirits; to reduce the tax on spirits
distilled from fruit or grain to 20c a gallon:
TO amend the revised statutes that duties
paid on sugar shall be assessed on the
quantity delivered from instead of entered
into bonded warehouses
Mr.. Weaver introduced resolution de-
clarirg that all currency, whether paper or
metallic, shall be issued by and under control
of the government, and making provisions
for payment of the bonded debt maturing in
1881.
The yeas and nays were taken on suspen-
sion OF the rules and adoption of the resolu
ton.
The motion was defeated.
Mr.. Springer Speaking with some feeling
said it was the first time during his many
years of public service that a charge of this
kind, affecting his integrity as a representa-
tive of the people. had ever been made. He
submitted correspondence with the writer of
the article in the Post, showing the story was
based upon information received from Nam
ming. As the latter disclaimed responsibility
for the article, he {Springer) would leave it
as question of veracity between Manning
and the Post. Mr.. Springer explained that
he did not desire an investigation of the
charges against him, as it would bring his
wife's name before the country. He then
read the ano lymous ''bribcry'' letter. which
was as follows
'Washington, 1.
Sir-If you will keep Washburne in his
seat in spite of the democrats, we will pay
Mrs S. IS 900 Let the thing be squashed at
once
This was not written by a republican. as he
would show further on. He related how the
letter was received at his house during
his absence and opened by his wife,
who acted as his private secretary
She did not consider it as a proposition of
bribery coming from Washburne's friends.
but Indignantly received it as a deliberate at
tempt on the part ofDonnelly and his friends
to insult and bulldoze him (Springer) be-
cause they learned he was not going to vote
to seat him. 1t was for that reason that she
started to see him and stated that an insulting
attempt had been made towards herself and
husband. Julian, counsel for Donnclly,
asked permission that DOnnelly might be
called, that he might excNlpate himself from
the charge of attempting to insult me. He
was permitted to do SO on the express under
standing that the matter should go no fur
ther than himself and Julian until my return
| to the city. That agreement was broken
Immediately by Donnelly. Mr.. Springer then
had read long letter from Mr.. Finley, one
of Mr.. Donnellys friends, which appealed to
him not to vote against the adoption of the
subcommittee report, which gave the seat
to Mr.. Donnelly. The handwriting of this
letter was so similar to that of the anonymous
letter, that neither he (Springer) nor any
of the gentlemen who had
compared the letters had any doubt but that
they were written by the same person Mr..
Springer disclaimed any intention to deceive
and was supported in this statement by sew
| eral members of the committee, whom he
/ called upon to give their views. Mr.. Springer
then challenged any member of the commit
tee or of the House Except Manning) to as
| sert that he had led him to believe that he
would act otherwise than he did. He would
not ask an investigation, but would not OBJ
ject if any one wanted it.
Mr.. Manning closed the discussion, de-
| Tending Mr.. Donnely against the imputatons
of Mr.. Springer.