Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-12

There was a difference of opinion on the part
OF some of the members of the special House
telephone Investigating committee, which held
its first formal meeting this morning, as to
what the form Of procedure should be. Mr..
Hale, of Missouri. moved that the committee
hear statement from Hon. Joseph Pulitzer,
member of the House and proprietor of the
New York World. Mr.. Oates thought the news
paper charges ought to be heard first. Mr.. Ran
ney expressed the opinion that If that was to be
done no Partially could be shown, and all the
papers in the country would have to be heard.
He thought the committee had better go on
with the testimony. They were to try facts,
would be matter of Impeachment, and they
would have to sit with closed doors, &c.
Electric, and the Messrs. Rogers. were present.
Mr. Young had all the newspaper clippings re-
lating to the case, and was ready to testify.
MIR. PULITZER EXAMINED.
1t was finally decided to call Mr.. Pulitzer,
He was sworn. He said his name had been
connected with the publication of the facts in
the case. He, and he alone, was responsible
for the publication of the facts in the World.
He was not influenced in making them public,
by any other consideration than that it was
news and the publication was a public service.
The publications were not made hastily; he had
the manuscript three months, and satisfied
himself of the correctness of the statements
there made before publishing them. He was
in hopes that certain gentemen-more particu-
larry one gentieman-would rid himself of the
stock which he held; not that there was any
illegality in bis holding the stock, but because
of the improperly of his holding it.
Mr.. Pulitzer said that the letters he published
on the subject of the Pan-Electric, including
some from the Attorney General, were taken
from the original in Mr.. Rogers letter book.
He said he did not own any sort OF speculative
stock. He had instructed his correspondent to
see all the gentlemen whose names were men,
toned in connection with the matter, and offer
them the space OF the World for explanation
or correction, and they declined the offer. He
got the letters from Or. Rogers, but did not pay
did not publish, because they were of private
character.
MIR. YOUNG SPEAKS AS COUNSEL.
Mr.. Young was next heard as counsel, with
the understanding that he was afterwards to be
heard as a witness. He said he disagreed with
the expression by one member of the COM
mittee, and said that IL any of the charges that
mad been made by the newspapers were true
the persons SO charged should be diSgraced and
branded with public infamy. He was MEM
Der of Congress at the time, and IL he were
guilty at all he was guilty OF a great crime. II
the charges were not true the charges should be
branded. He demanded the right of a trial
upon charges. II have in my possession" he
said, "what I think will secure a COM
plete vindication: that will answer all these
charges" He objected to being examined until
the accusation was put before the committee.
He spoke for Senator Harris, Gen. Johnston
and others. 81 am anxious to be heard" he
continued. ~ have no engagements more inn
portant than this one. 1 shall remain here as
long rs the committee wants me. shall give
them all the information in my possession. All
my letters are at the disposal of the committee.
All ever wrote or received. Everything
Mr.. Ranney thought Mr.. Young was acting
upon wrong assumption. Mr.. Young was not
on trial. The House was simply seeking knOwl-
edge of the facts.
Mr.. Oates sustained Mr.. Young's claim to be
heard In the proper order.