Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-08

A letter of our Washington cores
pendent, published in the NEWS of the
21st ult., contained a statement to the
effect that Hon. Emory Speer, Repre-
sentative of the Ninth district, had an.
nounced his intention to vote with the Re-
publicans in the organization of the next
House of Representatives. Since the
publication of our correspondents letter
the subject has been frequently re-
ferred to by the Washington press
and correspondents of Northern pa
pers, and no denial appearing from
Mr.. Speer, many who had doubted the
truth of the report had come to the con-
clusion that it was not without founda
ton. Mr.. Speer claims, we believe, to
be an independent Democrat, and,
though it is difficult to perceive in what
manner his independentism could be
involved in the organization of the
House, it was natural to suppose that
if he did not intend to play the role of
Malone in that body, he would have
either contradicted the statements in
circulation, or authorized some friend, in
his name, to denounce the story as fab
rication. Failing to do either, he is him
self to blame if his position has been
misunderstood. In the Athens Banner
of Wednesday Mr.. Speer publishes let
ter addressed to the editor of that paper,
in which he denies that there is any truth
in the current report that he had pledged
himself to vote with the Republicans in
the organization of the House, and we
take pleasure in transferring to our
columns the portion of his letter con
tanning his denial. He says:
II have never declared to the Presi-
dent an intention to vote with the Re
publicans in the organization of the
House. have never had such an inten-
ton. do not have it now"
"The report telegraphed to the Savan-
nah News stated that there was bar
gain between the President and me to
the effect that Mr. Andrew Clarke, Col
lector of Internal Revenue, should be re-
moved, in consideration of my vote.
This is an absolute falsehood, and is as
unjust to the President as to me.
Il do not know the author of this
report One dispatch to the Savannah
News said that Colonel Atkins, of Sa-
vaunah, had knowledge of my purpose,
and said that l was looking for him to
find why he had let it out. have
before me his letter of the Goth ult., in
which he says:
d" If you desire me to deny the truth
of the statement made in the News,
can do so, and am at your service. If
you wish me to make a categorical
denial of the statement, say SO, either by
telegram or letter.
1T has been stated IN the same news
paper that | have been interviewed in
Washington by several reporters, and
that have said would not deny the
report. This is entirely inexact. One
day gentleman whom | do not know
attempted to question me. l simply
said had authorized no such statement,
and declined to confer with him further
"a not improper course with an entire
stranger. This is the extent to which
have been interviewed.
81 am no partisan in politics, and 1
shall vote as think best on every ques-
ton of legislation. l shall discharge
every public duty according to my best
judgment of its proper method. When
ever the people who have honored me
and trusted me differ with me in my
opinions of public policy and public
duty, 1 will return TO them the commits
sion bear, free and unstained as when
they conferred it on me-"