The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-27
Morrison Reports a Substitute for the
Hanback, and Pulitzer Resolutions.
The Investigating Committee Authorized to
Inquire Whether Any Newspapers Have
Been Improperly Influenced,
And the Munificent Sum of $1,000 Ap.
prOpriated to Defray the Expenses.
Senator Mitchell Argues in Favor of Abro.
eating the Chinese Treaty, and Mr.. Alli-
son Supports the Educational Bill.


THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Morrison Introduces q Resolution Au-
thorizing Pan-Electric Inquiry.
WASHINGTON. Feb 26.-Mr. Morrison, from
the committee on rules. reported substitute
for the Hanback, and Pulitzer resolutions direct
ing an inquiry into the Pan-electric telephone
matter. The substitute is as follows:
Resolved, That select committee, consisting of
nine members of the House, be appointed and when
80 appointed the committee is hereby directed, at as
early day possible, to make inquiry into any
penditure on the part of the government. incurred
relative to the rights of the Bell and n-electrio
telephone companies to the priority of patents said
inquiry to include all organizations and companies
that have sprung out of the Pan-electrc Telephone
Company, for any other purposes; and, also, to
as the Pan electric telephone stock any stock Of
any other company companies organizations
sprngng out OF the Pan.eectrie Telephone Company,
to any person persons connected with either the
legislative judicial executive department Of
the government of the United States to whom,
where, when, and for what consideration in money
or influence said stock delivered; also to what
opinions, decisions and orders have been made by any
officers connected with the government. and by whom,
ing therefrom; and the said committee is further
authorized and directed to ascertain whether
eJner Oh the telephone companies herein mentoneds
or their officers agents employees have in any man
ner improperly influenced attempted to influence
officials official action by or through the public
press, and If So when, by whom and in what manner
such influence exered attempted to be exerted,
and what newspaper or newspapers were so used or
attempted to be used by them. The said committee
shall have the right to send for persons and to
administer oaths. to sit during the session of the
House, to employ stenographer, to incur any and al
necessary and reasonable expense as may be required
for the purpose of conducting the safnvestgation.
not to exceed the of 81 600, which shall be paid
out of the contingent fund of the House. proper
vouchers certified by the chairman and one other MEM
Der OF the committee, and may report at any time.
After brief but excited debate, during which
Mr.. Gibson, of West Virginia, criticised MIR.
Pulitzer. whom he accused Of shrinking behind
the columns of his newspaper to attack men in
stead of attacking them on the floor Of the
House
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana-Ica call the gentleman's
attention to the fact that the gentleman from
New York is not present.
Mr.. Gibson-The gentleman is not present. I
cannot help that He ought to be here. I re-
member that gentlemen who have lived long
life of good reputation and by their integrity and
capacity have won the confidence Of their
country, have been arraigned by an irresponsi-
BILE newspaper, and the Democratic majority is
rushing before the country with hue and cry
to do that which must only do gentlemen injus-
tice. Let the courts decide the matter. What
has Congress to do with itl They say that the
Attorney general some time or other, got stock.
l stood on the floor of this House and heard a
member boast that he held hundreds of thou
sands of dollars of railroad stock, and would
combine with railroads to clog up the courts with
business but no outcry was made against 1t.
/ see all around me men who hold railroad stock
and national bank stock voting with the stock in
their pockets, and no outcry is made against it.
The distinguished gentleman from New York
Mr. Hewitt. himself large manufacturer, is
at work, and has been at work for years. to re-
wise the tariff so that his manufactures may be
more profitable. Laughter. There is gen.
tleman from South Carolina on the committee on
coinage, who is member of national bank.
Mr.. Browne, OF indiana want to know
whether they paid for the stock.
Mr. Gibson-It matters not whether they paid
for it got it gratuitously-the question is have
they acted dishonorably2 1t is a mere begging OF
the question in a childish manner 10 talk or
whether they paid for the stock. How many
members own national bank stocksl How many
own railroad stocksl If / am not misnformedt
a late President of the Senate was himself coun,
sci for one of the telephone companies, who crlee
out against it, II am correctly informed, the
present President of the Senate Is national
bank stakeholder
Mr.. Cutcheon, Of Michigan-Was it presented
to himl
Mr.. Gibson-Was it presentedl Does that
make the fraud9 1t is not the manner in which
the stock was come by, but whether action was
influenced by the stock. am not standing as
the champion Of this administration or OF these
men. While l acknowledge the honesty and
cleanliness of the administration as equal to that
of any we have ever had, have very little re-
gard for its politics Laughter and applause
Mr. Gibson spoke at great length in defense Of
the Attorney general
Mr. Morrison, as friend of the officer sup
posed to be most affected--if anybody is to be
affected by this estigation-having unlimited
confidence in his honor and in Ills personal and
official integrity said ne wanted this resolution
to pass, and he wanted this investigation to go
on.
Mr.. Rogers of Arkansas welcomed the resolu-
tion and hoped the investigation would be made
thorough and searching
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, said ne was
proud to call the Attorney general his personal
friend He defended his course; declared that
his skirts were perfectly clear of any wrong
doing, and hoped the whole case would be in
vestigated.
Mr. Reed of Maine--I appreciate the natural
feeling of soemniIy which has fallen on the Dem
ocratic party at the present time To be stopped
in the midst Of career of great and well admin
stered purity; to be stopped in the midst of a
career which had for it's motto the turning out
of rascals to be obliged to stop and consider the
question whether, by some accident, instead OF
turning out they had not got in, is of course
painful, and I do not intend to detract
from the solemnity of the occasion by
discussing the matter prematurely. only
wish to tender, in passing, to the
Democratic party, the assurances OF reGpectful
consideration which we all have for their situa-
ton. Loud laughter, in which the Democratic
side joined 1t is desirable, under the fierce on
slaughts of the gentleman from West Virginia.
TO saw a few words in defense of the resolution.
/ think even ought TO befriend the gentleman
from New York Mr. Hewitt who is absent by
suggesting that the gentleman from West Vir-
ginia is mistaken in supposing that the gentle-
building up his own industry. / think he Is
here for the purpose of attempting to break
down other parties industries Here is charge
based on statements which have not been thus
far denied: that gentleman who occupies ..
high public position received, while Senator OF
tha IInitad Stafaa stock in company which. in