The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-30
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--The Latest RumpuS.
Special Dispatch to the lniellIgencer.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-speaker Keifer
has a remarkable knaek Of keeping himself
continually in hot water. A few days ago
he addressed letter to Henry &. Hays,
one Of the official stenographers Of the
House Of Representatives, notifying him
that he had been removed for cause. Mr..
Hays has been in the employ of the House
for many years. He is one OF the best
stenographers in the country, and has
won the esteem OF all the older members
and correspondents.
As the Speaker informed Mr.. Hays that his
removal was for cause, the latter desired
naturally to known OF what offence he had
been guilty, and addressed short note to
the Speaker, requesting information on
that point The Speaker replied that he
did not think any public or private purpose
would be subserYed by furnishing detailed
statement OF the cause or causes which led
to his removal, but stated explicitly that
he did not intend to make any reflection
upon Mr.. Hays private character.
In the meantime 4 Grant Stalwart nam.
ed Dawson was taken from his clerkshir
in the War Department and put in Hayes
place. Atr. Hays rebelled and notified the
Speaker by letter that he did not recognize
the legality OF his removal.
This morning Alexander Stephens, o.
Georgia, began what may turn opt to be 0
very interesting fight in the stenographer's
behalf, The Georgian, soon after the
House was called to order, wheeled his
perambu ating chair in the space imme'
diatcly in font Of the Speakers desk and
requested to be heard on . question o.
privilege. He first caused to be read rule
So, which provides that the appointment
and removal of the official reporters OF the
House and stenographcrs to committee:
shall be vested in the Speaker.
The correspondence between Mr.. Hays
and Mr.. Keller was also read, and he ther
offered resolution asking the Judiciary
committee to make full inquiry into til,
facts OF the ease and to report without de
lay and Mt any time as to whether Mr.
Hays had lawfully ceased to be- an officer o
the House. The Speaker seemed to b'
greatly annoyed during reading Of the re
solution and cvinced his embarrassment
by nervously tapping his desk and actin!
as though he wished very much that hi
was on the floor and had an opportunity Il
speak.
Mr.. Kasson jumped from his seat arc
said that lie reserved the point Of order a!
10 whether the resolution was a question
Of privilege or not.
Mr. Stephens said that lie desired the
reference OF the resolution to the Judiciar!
Committee.
The Speaker announced that it would b,
SO referred, and asked the unanimous con
sent Of the House to allow Mr. Stephens al
opportunity to address the House on tn
resolution. lie then declared that he woul,
give the House the reason tor which thii
person, this man Hays, was discharged
Several members on the Republican sid
objected, and the matter ended with tn
reference OF the resolution.
Mr.. Keifer says that his reasons for re
moving Hays were first, that he had neve
been confirmed by him to the position
which he occupied, and secondly, that h
has assisted the New York AssociatCt
I Press, such services being, in the Speaker
opinion, incompatible with the officia
: duty which the stenognPher owes to th
House.