Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-07
CONGRESSIONAL,
robson AND wHITTHoRNE EXCHANGE CoUR-
TEsIEs-"A LIAR, SIR, A LIAR"

robson AND WHITTHORNE EXCHANGE COUR-
TEsIEs-"A LIAR, SIR, A LIAR"
WASHINGTON, July 4.-HouSe.-Mr. Bel
mont called up the motion to consider the
vote by which the House refused to order to
third reading the Joint resolution authoriZ-
ing the President to call an International
conference to fix on and recommend for
universal adoption a common prime merl-
dian. The vote was reconsidered and the
Joint resolution passed.
The House resumed consideration of the
naval appropriation bill and adopted in
gross the amendments agreed to IN Commit
tee of the Whole. Mr.. Robson then took
the floor 10 close the debate on the bill.
In the course of his speech in defense of
his administration in the navy department,
Robson referred to the investigation carried
on by the Committee on Naval Affairs of the
Forty-fourth Congress, and without mention
ing his name, alluded in terms OF the deepest
contempt and Insult 10 WhitthOrne. Speak
ing OF the men who headed committees in
that Congress. he said that if there was
man who WAS accused of stealing school
funds in his own State let him come to the
front.
At these words up started Whtthorne, and
facing Robson in the space in front Of The
speakers desk, exclaimed: "Ihat is lie,
whoever tells it or whoever repeats it,"
Robes0n-I have allued TO no man by
sell by the description, let him step forward
and deny it
Members congregated around the two gen
tlemen, and there was good deal of excite
ment in the hall, but the matter dropped,
although Robson continued his attack upon
Whitthorne.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Robeson's speech
the bill passed. Yeas, 119; nays, 50.
Immediately after the passage OF the
NJ
thorne was recognized on the question of
personal privilege. He proceeded to reply
to the charges made by Mr.. Robson
against him, characterzing the state
men;s made by that gentleman as untrue,
and said that in altering them he (RObeson)
stated to the House and to the country that
which was absolutely false. He said that
Robson had gone out of his way to make
hypothetical assault upou somebody. He
alluded TO the SCHOOL fund of the State, and
l have no question in my own mind l was
The person referred TO in connection with it,
for The reason that prior TO discussion on
this bill | had information that a mem Der
following the instincts which governed him
when secretary OF the navy-was getting up
information personal to myself in regard to
the school fund of the State of Tennessee.
Either emissaries or friends were engaged
in that work, hence Immediately on refer
ence being made to it l made personal
application, and / now, very coolly and
yery quietly, state to the House and TO
the country that with The school fund
of Tennessee 1 never had any connec-
ton, directly or indirectly. Now l
pass to another matter. L understand
the gentleman TO say that on my advice
brother of mine came to Washington and
obtained a contract from the administration
which l had officially denounced. That is not
truth. The truth is, l advised him against
coming here. 1 understood the intimation
10 be made that he had legislated a son of
mine into government position. That is
not truth. II is said that l had melted the
Investigation of the police of the District OF
Columbia in an affair in which my personal
conduct and habits are involved. l did not
incite that investigation. / stand here to
repeat, in the face of the country and in the
face of that member, that when charged by
the rules of the House and by my duty TO
my country to investigate the condition of
the navy department, / undertook that labor
without fear, favor affection. While en-
pioyed ia that invesig CATION he Whithorne
had been dogged and followed by detectives;
by whom employed he did know, but there
appeared before that committee member
from New Jersey, and on his oath he said he
had communicated this fact to Senator Hale,
of Maine, in order that Hale might commu-
nicate it to friend of mine. But OF that
know nothing about. Herein is the response
bility that belongs 10 me. / believe that
when that member swore 10 that he told a
lie and committed perjury. believe that,
do not know it; il l did know il, would
have had another recourse-that is TO say, l
would have consulted the gentleman person
ally. The gentleman says, 81 beg pardon"
The member says that in that investigation
his private affairs were trenched upon, and
his mothers dowry and his wifes portion
asked for. l tell him he went out OF his way
for the purpose of utlering what Is not true.
Mr.. Hiscock interrupted and made point
of order that the gentleman from Tennessee
was not combining himself TO the question of
privilege to which he had risen, but at Robe
sons request withdrew his point.
Mr.. Whitthorne, continuing-lnt the course
OF the investigation there was developed
relation of the secretary OF the navy with
the firm of A. G. Cattell & Co., and with one
Simon NJ. johnson. 1t occurred to me that
on proper investigation and searching for
facts, it could be shown that the money re-
ceived by johnson and Cattell & Co. was
'fswag" te be divided between them and the |
secretary of the navy. l believed it then; | |
believe it now. l say it now in the face of |
the country that when l approached the |
family domain l paused, and left it for the |
of the navy to go further If he |
deemed it proper. If he had opened it |
dare not and would MOTT would |
have been established to the satisfaction Of |
the country that the Cattells spread them |
selves all through the navy department.
Mr.. Hscock again demanded that Mr.. |
Whitthorne should confue himself to the |
question of privilege, and the Speaker sus-
iained the demand.
Mr.. Whitthorne thereupon said, in con-
,lusion: protesting that l was only in
,pired with the sense of what was my official
to hn Of atIV
ing all the difficulties that lay in my way;
knowing all the means resorted TO 10 thWart
hat investigation; knowing l had to combat
he influence of the department and the
wealth that surrounded it; knowing had TO
encounter falsehood and perjury at every
Itep; knowing risked that which man loved
better than life itself, 1 have without fear
zone on in the discharge OF my duties, and
having done that duty, and when accused OF
improper motives or improper conduct, L
tand in the face of the country with all the
which belongs to me and at
ach to the forehead of that member, False
lood and per Jury"
Mr.. Robeson-Since the member has ac-
,epted, by acknowledging the application, all
hat l said to himself, though did not so
lpply it, | am willing to leave 1t TO rest with
congress and the country without regard to
Inv suggestions from a man who recognizes
himself in the portrait / have painted.
Applause on the Republican side.l
The matter then dropped.
Mr.. Taylor 70. asked leave to put upon
Is passage the bill for the relief of Lucretia
R. Garfield, but as it would give rise to de-
,a,e CHiscock obiectingl, the House then
vent into Committee of the Whole, Kasson
Ia in the chair, on the suudry civil aPpro-
,ralion bill.
Mr.. Hiscock [ \. Y made an elaborate
peech in explanation Of the increase in ap-