Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-20
ENGLISH NOT A LOBBYIST
THE CHARGES THATHE BRTBED
MIR. WALLER DENIED.

4
His Presence on the Floor of the House
Not Considered n Breach of Privileges
by the Speaker-He Did Not Resort to
His Barrel.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-The investiga-
tion by the special committeeo of the House
into the allegations that Hon. w. ii.
English aud other ex-members of the
House had made improper use Of their
privileges of the floor has been commenced
to-day. a great many persons were heard
by the committee, though their state
| ments can scarcely be called testimony.
Some are members of the present aud
Others are ex-Congressmen who are now
practicing law in Washington. All dis
claimed violation of the rule of the
House against lobbying by persons having
the privileges of the floor. To-day WIlliam
II. English, Sr., took the stand. After
Deing put through a cross-examination
covering the object of his
presence in Washington, and every
thing he has done here.
the examination reached the actual point
OF the investigation, as to whether Mr..
English had induced Mr.. Weller, of Ohio.
to absent himself from his seat when the
vote was being taken as,to whether Peelle
or English, the son, should have the seat.
The question was asked: "Did you ever
have talk with Mr.. Weller in the cloak
room?'
DID NOT TRY 10 INFLUENCE WELLER,
Il did not; and want to say that Mr..
Bayne's statement, in his speech on the
n0or OF the House, is false. / neither di-
rectly or indirectly tried to influence Mr..
MelIer, and any statement that L did is
Wholly destitute of truth. If l had met
Mr.. Weller going out of the room | would
have asked him to stay.p
"Did you take counsel about the pro-
prlety OF your going on the floor of the
Housew asked Mr.. Rogers.
Ut ala not occur to me that my going
was violation of the rule. After going
on the floor heard Republican member
say that 1t was violation. | went TO
Speaker Carlisle ana asked him if / was
violating the rule by being on the floor
and speaking with such members as
l desired about my son's case,
| said that l was interested as a father.
Democrat and citizen, but that I had no
pecuniary interest. He thought that /
was not violating the rule. If l did or
sald anything In violation, | am frank to
say, gentlemen, that l regret it. | don't
hesitate to say that when conversing with
gentlemen did present my sons case as
Well as could. At one time / thought
that could not remain on the floor. be-
cause III mlght De an injury to my SON. but
the impropriety of the thing did not occur
to me-"
HIS PECULIAR INFLUENCE.
"Dld you ever know a candidate for the
Vice Presidency being on the floor OF the
Housew asked Mr.. Millard, of New York.
. never knew one to have a son elected
to Congress. / thought that this was An
exception, and that had the privilege OF
the House,"
ibid it occur to you that your promi-
nence would have a sort of influence
among the Democratic members?v
IF | had any influence at all | Thought
that 1t would be to show that l believed
my sons case to be a fair one.''
Didn't You think that your barrel was
larger than Peelle'sp'
AS to the barrel business, know moth
ing about that"
IF you'll bring up the barrel. III tell
you something about Indiana soar. y in
Ierposed Mr.. Henley, Democrat. ad-
dressing himself to Mr.. Millard. a Re
publican.
Mr.. English, in answer to an inquiry.
expressed surprise that no Republican,
voted against Peelle, and the Committee
adjourned.