The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-03-04
A MODEL FUNERAL GRAFTON.
Remarks of Hon. Thomas 8. Reed
on the Pan-EIectrIc.
rFrom tbe Congressional Record. !

From the Congressional Record
appreciate the natural feeling of solem-
nifty which has fallen on the Democratic party
at the present time. To be stopped in the
midst of career of great and well admins
tered purity; to be stopped in the midst of a
career which had for its motto the turning
out of raseals to be obliged to stop and con-
slider the question whether by some accident
instead Of turning out they had not got in, is,
Of course, painful. And / do not intend to
detract from the solemnity of the occasion
by discussing it prematurely only wish to
tender, in passing, to the Democratic party
the assurances of the respectful considera-
ton which we all have for their situation.
Loud laughter, in which the Democratic
side joined.l For long time they have been
busy filling the atmosphere with observa
lions which have been the result of the ac-
ton of Congressional investigating commit
tees. | DESIRE also, in passing, to express
the very slight opinion which have of the
results of Congressional investigations,
although i hope, in common with all citizens
of the Republic who are proud of its history
and possibilities, that the result of this in
veStigation may show that public officials
have been wrongly charged. But it is desir-
able, under the fierce onslaughts of the gen.
tleman from West Virginia, to say a few
words in defence 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
Virginia Is mistaken in supposing that the
gentleman from New York is here for the
purpose of building up his own industries /
think he is here for the purpose of attempt
ing to break down other peoples industries.
Here is charge based on statements which
have not been thus far denied, that gentle
man who occupies a high public position, re-
ceiyed, while a senator of the United States,
stock in company which at its par value at
least was enormous, and for no other reason,
apparent thus far, than because he did occupy
that prominent position. 1t turns out also
that he has published an opinion declaring
that the Pan-Electric patents in no respect
infringe on the Bell patent, and that, I'M
derstand. without announcing his connection
with the company, but on that | may be mis-
taken, That may be cleared up, and it GER
tainly ought to be. Now, then, it is aSseY-
Grated that this same official after having
declared, over his signature, that the Bell
patent was not infringed upon by the Pam
Electric patent, yet refused. as Attorney
General to decide on the annulment, because
he was interested in the Pan-Electric patent
Now, if the Pan Electric patent did not in
fringe on the Bell patent where was he inter
eSted? do not need to state that what |
have said is in any way final. | only say
that thesesare matters which it is not unrea-
sonable that both sides should desire to have
investigated. The friends Of the Attorney
General have stated their wish and his wish,
and those on the other side have stated
theirs, and there seems to remain, solitary
and alone, the gentleman from West Vir-
ginia as the conspicuous figure of the occa-
sion.