Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-24

F"
TO the motion to reconsider that would
be the last Of the bill.
Mr.. Beck read Mr.. MitchelI's amend
ment proposing to forbid members OF
Congress from doing law business for
men who we're managers OF banks or
importers Of foreign goods, or who
manufactured butter, olsomargarine.
tobacco, or whiskey. off that is not
taking lick at creation - exclaimed
Mr.. Beck. He deprecated that sort Of
amendment, but added that he had
often heard the fable Of the advice
given to oil foxes by the fox whose tail
had been cut of. That advice was that
they should all have their tails cut off
because his had been cut of. He
thought the fable illustrated the case
Of this amendment.
In reply to the reference by Mr.. Beck
TO the published report that MIR.
Mitchell was the attorney for the North
EN- Pacific Railroad Company, Mr..
Mitchell said, with some warmth, that
be was the attorney Of no railroad. He
desired the Senator from kentucky
(Mr. Beck TO understand that he
CMitchell) had never while in the Senate
been employed by any railroad CON-
papy to argue any case in court or out.
lie was not now and had not been for
over a year the attorney OF any cor
poration whatever. lie was represent
ing no corporation here. IL the bill
were TO be passed on the idea that every
member of Congress who was lawyer
was dishonest with view Of making
him honest, then the bill should be made
10 include matters indicated in Mr..
Mitchells suggested amendment.
Mr.. Call did not dispute Mr.. Beck's
devotion to the public interest, but re-
gsrded the bill as most hurtful 10 the
interests Of the country and to the
character OF the Senate. IL would re-
suit in holding senator's responsible,
not to the Senate, but TO q judge Of the
United States Court. The people OF
Florida had once elected majority OF
Democrats to their Legislature. How
did the Republicans overcome that ma
joYity? BY getting a United States
Judge to order the arrest Of the Demo
cratic members. We were in the habit
Of belittling the Senate and its func-
tions and the character Of sena-
tors, but that was wholly wrong.
There was no reason for it. Neither
was there any reason for any presump-
ton that there were any paid attorneys
here. The theory of the bill was that
members Of Congress could be bought
by fees as attorneys. If that theory
was correct the Senate couldn't pre-
vent it by saying that special form Of
purchases should not be effected. There
were thousand ways by which men
could be corrupted without retaining
them as lawyers and without the pay
ment Of money.
Mr.. Mitchell asked Mr.. Beck when
be had been told that be (Mr. Mitchell)
was an attorney for the Northern
Pacific.
Mr.. Beck said he had been so told ;
the time did not matter.
Mr.. Mitchell said he was not in the
confessional but he had resigned eight
months before his election. lie (Mr.
MitchelD remembered the time when it
had been said in the newspapers that
certain members of Congress were very
Jealous in regard to certain whiskey
matters.
&. Mr.. Beck: Oh, well, that was just
simply lie. That's all there is about
that. Laughter
MIR. Mitchell had no doubt Of that.
Mr.. Pugh said he had voted for the
bill, but on afterwards examining it be
had concluded that it was hasty, incon-
siderate, and mischievous legislation.
Mr.. Evarts said that Of seventy-six
senators sixty-five were lawyers. This
bill was q reproach on these lawyers.
He had never, except in the vilest re-
wings, heard any reproach Of the great
profession Of law. lie had never heard
outside Of the Senate so deep stigma
on the Senate as was placed on it by
this bill. But whether good or bad, it
was certainly serious and far-reach-
ing measure, and was entitled to de-
liberate consideration.
Mr.. Edmunds said the theory Of the
bill was that gentlemen Of the profess
sion of law having clients were under
bias in favor Of those clients. and that
this bill was necessary in order TO ex-
clude that bias. Mr.. Edmunds's voice
gave out before he had proceeded far,
and be was seized with a troublesome
cough. he took his seat with the re-
mark that the state Of his health did
not permit him TO debate the question
further.
Mr.. Vance said there was an i'm
preston throughout the country that
good deal of jobbery and improper
legislation emanated from Congress.
Whether that was true or not, it was
the part Of wise men to avoid occasion
for the imputation. He thought it
would be unfortunate for the Senate not
to stand by this bill.
Mr.. Hawley thought his motion to
reconsider was amply justified by the
debate.
Mr.. Sherman said the universal rule
Of the Senate was to grant reconsidera-
ton almost as matter Of course when
ever asked for, even when the Senate
was almost a unit against the bill. The
vote for its reconsideration had often
been unanimous. This bill met his
hearty approval. The criticisms made
against it were rather too fine.
The motion to reconsider, having been
brought to a vote, was agreed tO-yeas,
81; nays, 81. The only Republican
voting in the negative was Mr.. Van
Wyck. The Democrats voting in the
affirmative were Messrs. Call, Gray,
Payne, Pugh, and Ransom.
Mr.. Hawley moved to refer the bill
to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Vance called for the reading Of
the bill by way Of final " farewell "
10 it. laughter
The bill having been read, Mr.. Ed
munds assured Mr.. Vance that he
should have the pleasure of seeing the
hill hail :, ,ba Csp.ta u,th;n a;obt