The Portland daily press., 1881-02-05
SWAN.
A Committee Appointed to Inves-
tigate Him.
COMMENDABLE ZEAL ON THE PART
OF THE FUSIoNISTS.
AUGUSTA, Feb. 4.

l AU6USIA, EoD' f.
| The Swan rascality was brought to the atten-
ton of the House to-day, and a committee of
investigation was appointed by Mr.. Hatch, the
| Speaker pro tenn.
The Fusionists were so eager to get the start
| OF the Republicans that, in their hot haste,
| they could not wait until the clerks journal
was read, but Immediately upon the conclusion
| of the prayer by the chaplain, Mr.. Staples, OF
Parsonsfeld got up and said that he rose to a
question of privilege and wished to introduce
an order.
The Speaker asked him if he would not give
| way until the journal was read, when Mr..
Keegan, of Van Buren,, remarked to Mr.
Staples:-"You have the floor; it is all right. -
On Mr.. Keegan's motion the reading OF the
journal was dispensed with, when Mr.. Staples
then said that he took this opportunity to in
troduce an order appointing committee to in
vestigate certain charges preferred against one
of our members.
The Speaker asked him to read the order,
when Mr.. Staples said that it was being copied.
Mr.. McKnsick (Rep) of Calais remarked
that he had an order already prepared.
The Speaker ruled that orders were not in
House on suspension of the rules
Mr.. Morrill, of Augusta, objected to the in
PRODUCTION of the order.
Mr.. Keegan said that the gentleman from
Parsonsfeld rises to a question of the highest
privilege, and it is properly in order
Mr.. Staples read his order.
The Speaker ruled that it did not come un-
der a privileged question.
Mr.. Talbot (Fusion) of East Machias ap-
pealed from the decision of the Chair and said
that he presumed there was not an honorable
member of the House who wishes to sit here
longer with that grave charge upon fellow
member. For his part he did not
Mr.. Strout of Portland deprecated hasty ac-
tion and said the House ought to investigate,
and if they find Swan guilty of the fraud
which is charged against him they should purge
the House by the expulsion of a man who has
made for himself an infamous name.
Mr.. Talbot thought this was a reflection up
on one who was still member. He asked for
vote upon the question that had been raised.
The clerk then read from Cushing's manual
relating to questions of privileg
Mr.. Morrill, of Augusta said he felt justified
LII oUJoCtlug 10 Ino Oruer lie was amazed
that the gentlemen should feel this to be mat
ter of SO great Importance as to make haste for
an investigation. He thought the order should
take the usual course. 1t won't spoil.
Mr.. Strout said that the reading from Cush-
ing's Manual had changed his views, and he
sustained the ruling of the Speaker.
Mr.. Verrill of Portland inquired of the gen.
tleman from Parsonsield (Staples) if he had
received from Swan any request for an inves-
tigation, to which Mr.. Staples replied he had
not.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Verrill,
Talbot and Strout, relating to the rules laid
down by authorities.
The decision of the chair was sustained by
vote of SO to A.
When the time for the assignment of orders
was reached, Staples order was then passed.
and that gentleman with Messrs.. Keegan of
Van Buren,, Vinal of Thomaston, Hutchinson
of Houlton, Verrill of Portland, Eastman of
Dennysville, and McKusick of Calais, were
appointed the committee, the majority being
Fusionists
The committee held meeting after the ses-
sion and appointed subcommittee, consisting
OF Messrs Verrill, Keegan and McKusick, to
procure persons and papers in accordance with
the order; The next meeting will be held
next Wednesday evening.