Western Kansas world., 1886-02-13
HANBACK, HOT.
Unsuccessful Attempt Of the Kansas
Congressman to be Heard.
The Alleged Telephone Scandal.
Mr.. Hanback, Considers the House
ScaDGaliZed by Certain News
paper Publications.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-Mr. Hanback,,
OF Kansas, rising to question of person.
alprlvilege, sent to the clerks desk to have
read, an extract from yesterdays New
York World, entitled "The Telephone
Scandal" but the reading was Immediate
ly 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.
A short discussion ensned upon the
point of order, in the course of which Mr..
Dunn, of Arkansas, maintained that the
question of privilege must be clearly
shown before the records of the house
were made vehicle to cast scandals be-
fore the country.
In order to get around the difficulty
Mr.. Hanback, offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolued. That the committee on ex-
penditures in the department of justice
be empowered to make full inquiry into
any expenditure on the part of the gov
ernment relative to 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 to pay
all expenditures, to be audited and ac-
counted from approved vouchers, and
when SO approved to be paid out of any
moneys in the treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated.
The speaker could not see that the res
olution involved the question of privilege.
1t was merely resolution of inquiry.
Another short debate ensued over this
ruling, in the course of which, Mr.. Ran
dali, of Pennsylvania, said while he did
not believe that the house had anything
to do with the subject matter as presented
he was opposed to throwing any obstruc-
ton in the way of fullest investigation in
any matter which pertained to the good
of the government of the United States.
After little more wranging on the
subject, Mr.. Morrison, of Illinois, cut the
consent that the resolution be Immediate
ly considered, and the resolution was
adopted without dissent.
But the house found it had not yet es-
capped from the subject, for Mr. Hanback,
was again upon his feet with question of
personal privilege, and was proceeding to
read thet IVorlds article, when he was
again interrupted by Mr.. Hammond, of
Georgia, with the same point, and the
speaker finally decided that the gentleman
had shown no question OF personal priv
lege.
"Mr. Speaker" began Mr.. Hanback,
The Speaker: eff the gentleman wishes
to appeal he can do so.''
Mr.. Hanback, rise now to a parlia
mentary inquiry.
The Speaker gentleman will state.
Mr.. Hanback-When member on this
floor rises a question of personal privi-
lege, has he not right to state what it
The Speaker-Undoubtedly.
Mr.. Hanback, was proceeding.
The Speaker-The gentleman had stat
ed that the article to which he alludes
contained no personal reflection on him,
but as he understood it, reflected on the
house. That is not matter of personal
privilege for the gentleman from Kansas.
Mr.. Randall suggested that as the or
iginal object of the gentleman as stated
by him had been accomplished, there was
no use In wasting any more time in this
The Speaker-If the gentleman from
Kansas desires to take an appeal, the
chair will put the question to the house.
Mr.. Hanback, did not appeal, but con-
tinued to address the speaker, amid loud
calls for the regular order.
The matter was finally dropped.