The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-20
IMPROPER USE OF PRIVILEGES.
Investigation rs 10 Whether Hon. w. II.
English was entity OF the Charge.
lBy telegraph TO the Dispatch.I

BY telegraph 10 the Dispafch.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 19.-In the in
vestlgation by the special committee OF the
House into the allegations that Hon. W.
III. English and other eX-members OF the
House had made improper use OF their
privileges OF the floor a great many per-
| sons have been heard, though their state
ments can scarcely be called testimony.
Some nre members OF the present Congress
and Others are eX-cOngressmen, who are
now practicing law in Washington. All
dsclalmed violation OF the rule of the
House against Lobbying by persons having
the privilege Of the floor. To-day William
II. English, Sr., took the stand. After
being put through a crOss-eXaminatiOn
covering the object of his presence in
Woehingto and eVorythins io hos dons
here, the examination reached the actual
point OF investigation as 10 whether he
English had induced Mr.. Weller, OF
Iowa, to absent himself from his seat when
the vote was being taken as 10 whether
Peellc or English the SOM should have
the seat.
The question was asked. "Did you ever
have a talk with Mr.. Weller in the cloak
roOmI"
Answer. 81 did not. And I want to
say that Mr.. Bayne's statement in his
speech on the floor OF the House is false
| neither directly nor indirectly tried to
influence Mr.. Weller, and any statement
that | did is wholly destitute OF truth. II
had met Mr.. Weller going out OF the
room would have asked him to stay"
Did you ever take counsel about the pro-
priety of your going on the floor OF the
House? asked Mr.. Rogers.
1t did not occur to me that my going was
violation OF the rule After | had been
on the floor / heard that Republican
member said it was a violation. | went
to Speaker Carlisle and asked him If / was
violating the rule by being on the floor
and speaking with such members as | de-
sired about my sons case. j said was in
terested as father, Democrat, and citizen,
but that | had no pecuniary interest. He
thought / was not violating the rule. II
did or said anything in violation | am
frank TO say, gentlemen, that | regret it. |
don't hesitate to say that when cOnyersing
with gentlemen | did present my sons
case as well as / could. At one time |
thought | would not remain on the floor
because it might be an injury to my son,
but the improperly OF the thing did not
occur to me.
Did you ever know a candidate for wee
presidency being on the floor Of the
House? asked Mr.. Willard, OF New York.
Inever knew one to have son elected
to Congress. Thought this was an eXcep-
ton and had the privilege Of the House.
Didn't it occur to you that your prOmi-
nence would have sort Of influence on
Democratic membersI
II had an Influence at all. thought it
would be to show that believed my sons
case to be fair one.
Didn't you think your barrel was larger
than Peelle's!
As to the barrel business, | know no.
thing about that. II you'll bring up the
barrel I'll tell you something about Indiana
soap, interpOsed Mr.. Henley, a Democrat,
addressing himself to Mr.. Millard, Re
publican.
Mr.. English, in answer to an inquiry,
expressed surprise that no Republican
voted against Mr.. Peelle, and the commit
tee adjourned.