Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-01
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
A TELEPHONE EPISODE IN THE HOUSE
Two Members Rise to Explain.
AN INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE.
Mr.. Oonger Criticises Washington Statuary.
The Senate.

Mr.. Oonger Orticises Washington statuary.
The Senate.
The chair laid before the Senate letter from
the Secretary of War transmitting report on
the militia forces of the United States. Also, a
letter from the same Secretary transmitting a
communication from the president of the board
OF commissioners of the Soldiers Home recon-.
mending that authority be given by Congress
Tor the disposition by the commissioners of the
e1ects of deceased inmates OF the home. Also,
transmitting report of w. Halett Phillips re-
latlng to the Yellowstone Park. Also, a letter
from the Secretary OF the Treasury transmit
ting the copy of communication from the
superintendent of the coast and geodetic sur
vey, with draft of q proposed bill to authorize
sne supplying OF standards OF weight and
measurement to the territories.
Inc papers were appropriately referred.
THE HOT SPRINGS LEASES
Mr.. Berry, from the committee on public
lands, reported favorably with an amendment,
The concurrent resolution heretofore submitted
. py MN, regarding the renewal of the leases of
the bath houses. etc., at Hot Springs, Ark.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Ingalls,, the resolu-
ZION went over one day under the rule Mr.
Logan first giving notice that at the proper
t tiine ne would move to amend by limiting the
gress, SO that If the present session OF Congress
should adjourn without having taken action on
, Inc SUBJECT the question of the renewal of the
leases should revert to Its present position.
TO EXEMPT Ex-UNION SOLDIERS FROM CIVIL
SERVICE EXAMINATION.
Mr.. Call submitted resolution which. at his
request, was laid over for the present, directing
the committee on military affairs to report a
pill providing that ex-Union soldiers shall not
nation before appointment to any position en-
braced in the civil service law. Mr.. Call
said SAID he Introduced this bin because
a subordinate position in the Pension
bureau found, on looking over the civil service
oIectlons Tor that bureau that he would be I'M
aoie 10 comply with them. 1t seemed to Mr.,
Cali Ihat man who had the ability and intelli-
Union 70 ar Decom Sa distinguished officer in the
enough to fill subordinate place in the PEN
sion bureau.
BONDS HELD BY NATIONAL BANKS.
resolution offered by Mr.. Ingalls, was agreed
70, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to
inform the Senate what proportion of the bonds
called for redemption March 1st is held by
national banks as a basis of circulation
THE COLUMBUS AND LAFAYETTE STATUES.
Mr.. Morrill, submitted asubstitute for the con-
current resolution heretofore offered by him set
ting apart the circles at the entrances to the
Capitol from Pennsylvania and Maryland ave-
fayette. The substitute is q joint resolution.
and provides for the setting apart
those IN tho circles as sites for stat
and constituting commission to Select new
and appropriate site for the proposed Garfield
statue The commissioners named are the Sec
rotary OF W ar, the president pro tempOre of the
Senate and the chairman of the Garfield Mon
umental committee OF the Society of the Army
OF the Cumberland.
Mr.. CONGER CRITICISES WASHINGTON Staff.
AIRY.
After some remarks by Mr.. Morrill, explana.
tory OF the propriety of the arrangement pro-
posed, Mr.. Conger took occasion to criticise the
art exhibits to be found in Washington. He
SAID there was not in the capital city of this
,S single work of art executed under
fifty. or creditably represented the nation.
he l1kened the statue of Columbus at the east
game of pitch and toss" with the iireenoI1ph
statue of Washington.
The joint resolution went over till to-mor.
row. ~ O1
BILLS PASSED.
The Senate then, going to the calendar took
up and passed the bill providing for the division
OF part of the Sioux reservation in Dakota, and
the REIMBURSEMENT of the Indian title to the
remainder.
House OF Representatives.
In his opening prayer the chaplain said: eve
commend TO Thy infinite pity and tenderness
Thy servant. the Secretary of State, who sits
with his children in home desolate because
twice within a fortnight death hath entered In
this time, when earthly, state and human SYM
pathy avail SO little may the spirit of the living
God come to cheer and comfort them."
THE TELEPHONE NATTER
MI. Hanback, (kas) rising to q question of
personal privilege sent to the clerks desk to
have read an editorial from yesterdays New
York World entitled ''The Telephone Scandal,
by Mr.. Breckenridge ARK with the point of
order that there was nothing in the editorial
which reflected upon the gentleman from Kan
saS in his representative capacity,
The Speaker inquired whether there was any
aliusion In 1t to the gentleman from Kansas.
Mr.. Hanback, shook his head.
The Speaker-Then the gentleman must state
what the question of privilege is.
Mr.. Hanback-Tne House will understand
what the question is after the article is read.
The Speaker-But unless the article reflects
In some way on the gentleman from Kansas in
his representative capacity there can be no
question of privilege involved.
Mr.. Hanback-Not at all. I disclaim that.
but ask that the article be read.
The Speaker-The article does not appear to
contain any reference to the gentleman from
Kansas.
Mr.. Hanback-The article that is to be read
and other articles reflect on this House, and
est privilege.
short discussion ensued upon the point of
order, In the course of which Mr.. Dunn ARK. J
maintained that the question OF privilege must
De clearly shown before the records of the
House were made vehicle to cart scandals be.
fore the country.
AN INVESTIGATION PROPOSED.
In order to get around the difficulty MIR. Han
back offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the committee on expendi-
lures in the Department of Justice be empow-
cred to make full inquiry into any expenditure
on the part OF the government relative to the
rig hts OF the Bell and Pan Electric Telephone
companies, and for the purpose of this investi-
gatlOn and to the end that the people may be
fully advised, the committee is granted the
right to send for persons and papers all ex-
penses to be audited and accounted from APP
proved vouchers, and when SO approved to be
paid out OF any moneys in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated
The Speaker could not see that the resolution
involved question of privilege. 1t was merely
resolution of inquiry.
Another short debate ensued over this ruling.
In the course of which MIR. Randall pa SAID
That while he did not believe that the House
mad anything to do with the subject matter as
struct1on In the way OF the fullest Investigation
OF any matter which pertained to the good gov
eminent OF the United States.
CUTTING THE GoRDIAN KNOT.
After q little more wrangling on the subject
MI. Morrison Qll.) cut the gordian knot by ask
ing unanimous consent that the resolution be
considered.
Mr.; Beach IN. ~ showed q disposition to OBJ
1ect, but was prevailed upon by Mr. Robertson
Cky) to give his consent and the resolution was
adopted without dissent. ~
MR. HANBACK, AGAIN.
But the House found that it had not vet es-
capped from the subject, for Mr.. Hanback, was
again upon his feet with a question of personal
privilege, and was proceeding to read the Uor,d