The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-02
THE HOUSE.
A Persistent Effort to Impart Information
Passage Of Mr. Matson's Pension Bill.


Persistent Effort to Impart Information
Passage of Mr.. Matson's Pension Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. LIN his opening prayer
the Chaplain said: ''We commend to Thy inf
mite pity and tenderness Thy servant, the Secre-
tary of State. who sits with his children in q
home desolate, because twice within a fortnight
death has entered In this time when earthly,
state and human sympathy availeth so little,
may the spirit of the living God come to cheer
and comfort them"
Mr.. Hanback, of Kansas, rising to question
OF personal privilege, sent to the Clerks desk
to have read an extract from yesterdays New
York World, entitled "The Telephone Scandal"
but the reading was Immediately interrupted by
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, 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 If there was any allu-
sion in it TO the gentleman from Kansas, and Mr..
Hanback, shook his head.
The Speaker-Then the gentleman must state
what the question of privilege is.
Mr.. Hanback-The 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 questie1
of privilege involved.
Mr.. Hanback-Not at all. 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, reflects on this House. and on
that claim that it is question of the highest
privilege.
A short discussion ensued upon the point Of
order in the course of which Mr.. Dunn, of Ar
kansas, maintained that the question of privi-
less mus be clearly shown before the records of
the House were made vehicle to cart scandals
before the country.
In order to get around the difficulty Mr.. Han
back offered the following resolution:
Resolved That the committee on expenditures in
the Department of Justice be empowered to make
full inquiry into any expenditure the part of the
government relative the rights of the Bell and PAN
electric telephone companies and for the purpose of
this investigation and to the end that the people may
be fully advised the committee is granted the right to
send for persons and all expenses to be audited
and accounted from approved vouchers, and when
approved to be paid out of any moneys in the Treas
ury not otherwise appropriated.
The Speaker could not see that the resolution
involved question of privilege; it was merely
resolution of inquiry.
Another short debate ensued over this ruling,
in the course of which Mr. Randall, of Pennsyl-
vania, said that while he did not believe that the
House had anything to do with the subject mat
ter as presented, he was opposed to throwing
any obstruction in the way of the fullest investi
CATION on any matter which pertained to the
good government of the United States
After little more wrangling on the subject,
Mr. Morrison, of Illinois, cut the gordan knot
by asking unanimous consent that the resolu-
ton be Immediately considered.
Mr.. Beach, of New York, showed disposition
to object but was prevailed on by Mr.. Robert
son, of Kentucky to give his consent and the
resolution was adopted without dissent.
But the House found that it had not vet es-
capped from the subject for Mr.. Hanback, was
again upon his feet with question of personal
privilege and was proceeding to read the World
article, when he was again interrupted by Mr.
Hammond of Georgia. with the point of order
that as nothing in the article reflected on the
gentleman, there is nothing upon which to base
question of personal privilege.
Mr.. Hanback,, after stating that while there
was nothing in the article rejecting him per-
sonally. it did upon the honor and integrity of
the House. He made several futile attempts
to read the editorial
Mr. Breckenridge, of Arkansas. was in each
case upon his feet with an objection, and ex-
pressed his astonishment that the gentleman
should appropriate the article to himself.
The Speaker finally decided that the gentle
man had shown no question OF personal priyi-
lege.
"Mr. Speaker began Mr.. Hanback,
The Speaker-the Chair has decided the Ques-
ton. If the gentleman wishes to appeal he can
do so.
Mr. Hanback, rise now to a parliamentary
inquiry.
The Speaker-The gentleman will state it,
Mr. Hanback-When a member this floor
rises to question of personal privilege, has he
not right to state what it isl
The Speaker-Undoub btedly.
Mr.. Hanback-I was proceeding
The Speaker-The gentleman had stated that
the article to which he aliudes contained no per-
sonal reflection on him, but, he understood it.
it reflected on the House. That is not a matter
of personal privilege for the gentleman from
Kansas.
Mr.. Randall suggested that as the original OBJ
ject Of the gentleman, as stated by him. had been
accomplished, there was no use in wasting any
more time in this connection.
The Speaker-f the gentleman from Kansas
desires to take an appeal, the Chair will put the
question to the House.
Mr.. Hanback, did not appeal, but continued to
address the Speaker amid. loud calls for the reg
ular order. The matter was finally dropped.
Under the call of States, the following bills
were introduced and referred:
By MIR King. of Louisiana: Appropriatng So
Mississippi river and strengthening and giving
permanence to the same.
Mr.. Little of Ohio, introduced a resolution di-
into and report, first. whether under existing
is authorized, at the instance, and in the interest
of private corporations or individuals, iu tho
name and at the expense of the United States,
to institute and carry on or defend suits to cam
Gel or annul letters patent issued to citizens of
the United States, under the laws thereof. on ac-
count OF inventions discoveries. said United
Gtat bavi No nil int