New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-18

A COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION oRDERED-THE
MORAL STATUS OF FINLEY AND DoNNELLY TO
BE ESTABLISHED,
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBuEE.l
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Democratic family
quarrel over Ignatius Donnelly has begun to bear
fruit The House Committee on Elections this
morning agreed to @ resolution, which the House
adopted this afternoon, and which is likely to cause
the Democrats considerable trouble before they are
through with it.
The resolution is prefaced by half dozen where
ases, which recite that MIR. Springer received an
anonymous letter; that he also received another
letter from Fl. II. Finley urging him to vote for
DOnnelly that Mr.. Springer used language in the
House which is construed by many members" as
charge that DOnnelly inspired the anonymous
letter, and that Donnelly "has requested an inves
tigation."
The resolution provides for the appointment Of n
committee to investigate and report who wrote the
anonymous letter, who sent it and the purpose for
which it sent, and all other matters in connec-
tion with the same. The committee also to report
whether in either all of the letters in contro-
yersv, written to Mr.. Syringe there has been any
breach of the privileges of the House or of any men,
Der thereof"
The committee Is clothed with authority to send
for persons and papers, to administer oaths to sit
during the sessions Of the House, and to report at
any time; and, most important of all, the ex-
contingent fund of the House,
Mr.. Manning reported the resolution to the House.
He made some remarks. the main point of which
appeared to be that it was incumbent upon the
House to find out what DOnnelly's moral character
is, whether he is fit person to sit as O member OF
the House, and If he is innocent to Vndcate him.
Nobody stopped to inquire what right the House
has to investigate and sit in Judgment upon the
character moral or otherwise of man who is not
member of the House, and who, according to the
vote of the Elections Committee, is not entitled to
be. Neither did anybody inquire by what right the
House of Representatives uses the money Of tho
people for such purpose.
Probably not half dozen members of the House
believe that IL requires expensive Congressional
investigation to determine the character of Mr..
Donnelly, or Mr.. Finley either Nor does anybody
believe that the character of either is q subject
which concerns the House of Representatives in its
official capacity. Hardly any one doubts that Mr.
Finley wrote the anonymous letter, but what if
he didP The Democratic members of the Elections
Committee. one and ALL agree that if Finley
did write the letter DOnnelly inspired It.
because Finley was acting his counsel
But what Of that Donnelly has been ruled out of
court by the Elections Committee only four men,
bers of which could be found to vote that he was
entitled to n seat in the House, while as many Dem
Oorats and all the Republicans voted against him.
MIR. Manning seems determined to ruin Mr.
opIlnHer pOHUlcHlIy II he eau. Inc bitterness of
his feelings toward that gentleman is well de-
scribed by phrase which he has used in speaking
Of MIR. Springer, openly dozen times to-day. lie
describes the chairman Of the committee as an
impOstOr in the camp Of gentlemen" Mr.. Manning
it may be Observed is i'll Tho habit of using vigorous
language for he styles the Washington correspond
ents of newspapers " band of assassins."
If Mr. ManniDRs idoas were half as powerful as
his language he would be nearly irresistible.
Mr.. Manning is not alone III his warfare uDon
Chairman Springer A majority of the Democratic
members of the Elections Committee are with him
and they hope to smirch Mr.. Springer that he will
be obliged to retire from the head of the committee
One of them remarked to-day springer never
ought to have been made chairman of the Elections
Committee. He has got the Senatorial fever and
cannot be depended on"
The Republicans generally appear to sympathize
with MIR. Springer whose manly in this mat
ter has greatly surprised them. Said a prOminent
Republican member Of the House to n TRIBUNE
correspondent yesterday; 1t would be stranpo NJ
SpringeTs first act of political decency should be
his ruin. He w0nld certainly make up his mind
that virtue III O Democrat don't pay"
Some curiosity is expressed as to whom Speaker
Randall will appoint chairman Of the Investigating
Committee. No doubt he will deplOre the loss of
Glover more than he ever did before
The Republicans look upon this whole nerform-
ance with the utmost cOmpOsure. Indeed tbev
| seem to enjoy il. 1t can't hurt usV thev snv
and then they chuckle at the worry tho Democrats
arc in. 1t is said that Mr.. Manning is Determined
that the DOnnelly-Washburn case shall not be- re-
ported to tho House until the Investigation ia
ended.
IMMEDIATE DEFICIENCY BILL.
THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AWAKENED AND
THE BILL REPORTED.