The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-07-13
RObeson's request withdrew his

|
point.
Mr.. Whltthorne continuing said:
''In the course of the investigation
there was developed the relation of
the secretary of the, navy with the
firm OLA. G. Cattell & Co., and with
one Simon NJ. Johnson. 1t occurred
to me that on proper investigation
and searching for the facts, that it
could be shown that the money re-
ceived by johnson and the Cattells
was 'swag' to be divided between
them and the secretary of the navy.
believed it then; / believe it now.
/ say now in the face of the coun-
| try that when 1 approached the
family domain 1 paused and LEFT it
for the secretary of the navy to go
further if he deemed it proper. II
he had opened it himself | dare
not and would not), it would have
been established to the satisfaction
of the country that the Catteils
spread themselves all through the
navy department"
Mr.. Hiscock again demanded that
Mr. Whitthorne should confne
himself to the question of privilege,
and the speaker sustained the de-
mand. -
Mr.. Whitthorne thereupon said,
in conclusions: protesting that |
was only inspired with a sense of
what my official duty was as the or
gan of the house of representatives,
knowing all the difficulties that lay
in my way, knowing all the means
that were resorted to to thwart that
investigation, knowing that had to
combat the influence of the depart
ment and the wealth that sur
rounded it, knowing that l had to
encounter falsehood and perjury at
every step, knowing that 1 risked
that which a man loved better than
life itself, L have without fear gone
on in the discharge of my duties.
And having done that duty, when
accused of improper motives or i'm
proper conduct l stand in the face
of the country with all the respon-
sibility which belongs to me and at
tach TO the forehead of that mem
Der 'falsehood and perjury +"
Mr.. Robeson-Since the member
has accepted by acknowledging the
application of all that said to him
self Though 1 did not so apply it,
1 am willing to leave the rest to
congress and the country without re-
gard to any suggestions from man
who recognizes himself in the por-
trait l have painted.
The matter was then dropped.
Mr.. Taylor 90. } asked leave to
put upon its passage a bill for the
relief of Lucretia r. Garfield, but
as it would give rise to debate Mr..
Hiscock IN. Y. objected.
The house then went into com
mittee of the whole on the Sunday
civil appropriation. bill.
Mr.. Willis (Ky.) criticised the
bill for its omission to make any APP
preparation for administrative re-
forms, and attacked the system of
political assessments, characteriz-
it as the sum of all villainies.
Mr.. Blaine Pa. also spoke in IA
vor of ciyil-service reform, and ar.
gued in advocacy of restricting the
power of the president in the re
moval of capable and efficient of
ficials. President Arthur had vio-
lated his promise to stand by the
civil-serYice plank of the republican
platform. He had removed faith
full and competent officers without
cause, not only violating his prom
Use but the constitution and the laws. |
The executive and those upon whom
he called for advice had undertaken |
the herculean task of stalwarting
the republican party, and that, too,
when the very name of stalwart had
become q reproach. The bullet of
Guiteau had made a mark on the
forehead of stalwartism that could
not be effaced.
The committee then rose and tn e
house adjourned.