The Evening critic., 1882-03-22
MuRCH,S MOVE
To Invcstignte the Gas Company.

To Investigate the Gas Company.
Tho following is the text Of tho resolution
In relation to the gas company Introduced In
the House yesterday by MIR. Murch, OF Maine
Whereas certain charges have appeared In
the public press questioning tho Integrity OF
members OF thls House In connection with
Legislation In the interest Of the Washington
Gaslight Company, and also alleging that cor.
ruIt or improper means have been resOrted
90 10 procure such legislation; therefore,
BE n reSotted That special committee OF
fve members OF this House be appointed by
the Speaker, with leave TO sit during the ses-
sions and I'm tho recess of Congress, whose
duty II shall bo 20 examine and investigate
the business OF the Washington Gaslight Com
pany from It's organization under the charter
originally granted by Congress to the date OF
their report, In regard to the cost of the works.
expenses OF conducting the same, cost Of COAL
apparatus, pipes, labor, &c; the outlay and
disbursements OF said company, Its earnings,
dividends, whether Of stock, scrip, or cash. or
increased value OF works, property, or assets.
The said committee shall likewise Inquire into
and report to this House the names OF all stock
holders In said company at the date OF their
report; and shall inquire into the offers to
supply or the supplying of any persons or par
tics with gas free Of cost, or at a nominal cost,
within ten years previous to such report, the
relations of said company's officials or stock
holders, or either of them, to this House, or to
any department OF the Government, or to the
District government In an official capacity
since the incorporation Of said company.
They shall likewise report the actual cost OF
producing gas in the District OF Columbia
during the term of said company's corporate
existence; the amounts charged for the same
during said period the amounts paid each
year by the District government and by the
Government OF the United States for gas sup
plies by said company; the amount of gas
consumed by private individuals In said Dis
trict supplied by said company each year
since 1878; the amount and value of coke,
naphtha, coal tar, or other products OF gas.
making, produced and used or sold by said
company each year, the capacity and charac-
ter of the works Of said company; the rela-
tions or dealings OF said company or Its
agents with members of Congress
or officers or persons onicially connected with
this House or the District Government or
ne in this spAeien cty together inc With SA''sSS sucS
further Information as the said committee
may deem of Importance In this connection to
this House, and that said committee be en-
powered to employ experts, and to send for
persons and papers and administer oaths, and
that the expenses OF such committee In Its
Investigations of this subject be paid outof
the contingent fund of the House of Represen-
tatives: And be IL FURTHER gesolred That 1t
shall be the duty of said committee to report
to this House, in pursuance OF the terms of
these resolutions, on oras soon after the SEQ
ond Monday of December, 1888, as pos.
sible.
After the resolution had been introduced the
following proceedings took place:
Mr.. Camp-I object to the consideration of
that resolution, and submit that 10 1s not
privileged question have no objection, how
ever, to Its being referred to the Committee on
the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Murch-I ask for Its immediate consid-
GRAFTON.
Mr.. Camp-I object to 1t.
Mr.. Murch-I do not think the gentlemans
objection can prevent my introducing the reso-
LUTON. II is well known committees OF inves-
tigation have been formed In this House on
newspaper charges, notably so under Mr..
Speaker Blaine, and l hope the preamble re-
cites question of privilege.
Mr.. Camp-I submit this resolution does not
propose to investigate the charges made in
newspaper article but to investigate the gas
company. 1t is not q privileged resolution.
II can only come in by unanimous consent,
and object 10 its introduction.
Mr.. Cobb-I trust the gentleman from New
York Will withdraw his objection. 1 have no
doubt that resolution will draw out state of
facts that will be alarming and astonishing TO
every gentleman In this House.
Mr.. Camp object TO Its consideration now.
Mr.. Cobb-This is n very important matter.
MIR. Robeson-lt is not a question of privi-
lege.
Mr.. Murch submits the resolution, which has
been read. Is there unanimous consent for Its
present consideration?
Mr.. Hazleton-There is not.
Mr.. Camp--I object.
Mr.. Murch-I ask that the resolution be re-
ferred 10 the Committee on Manufactures.
Mr.. Camp-Let it be referred to the Commit
tee on the District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Murch-No, sir; l desire 1t shall go to
the Committee on Manufactures.
Mr.. Robeson-I object
The Speaker-The Chair thinks 1t should go
TO the Committee on the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Murch-It relates to the manufacture of
gas, aud should 60 to the Committee on Manu-
factures.
The Speaker-The Chair was OF opinion the
resolution related largely to the conduct of
certain persons connected with the company,
and not at all with the method of manufacture
ing gas. Tho rule relating to the Committee
on the District OF Columbia is so broad as to
require everything connected with the Dis
trfct, OF every character, to be referred to that
committee. The Chair thinks that is the ap-
propriate committee.
Mr.. Bland-Is it not in order to move to refer
to another committee?
Mr. Robeson-I ask II the resolution, having
been objected to, is now before the House
The Speaker-It is not before the House for
consideration. The House is considering the
question Of reference. The Chair would hold,
under the rules, the resolution should be re-
ferrcd to the Committee on the District OF
Columbia
The resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on the District of Columbia.