Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-27


distinction that would result in race
hatred and war OF races.
The debate for the day having closed,
Mr.. Hale, at 4:30 p. NJ, moved an
executive session.
At SIS p. M. the doors were re-
opened, and the Senate adjourned till
Monday.
iiOu.c Of Representauves.
Mr.. Morrison, from the Committee
on Rules, reported q substitute for
Messrs. Hanback, and Pulitzer's reso'
lutions directing an inquiry into the
Pan-Electric telephone matter. The
substitute is as follows:
RcSoired, That q select committee
consisting Of nine members from this
House be appointed, and when so APP
pointed the committee is hereby direct
cd, at as early a day as possible. to
make inquiry into any expenditure on
the part Of the Government incurred
relative to the rights Of the Bell and
Pan-Electric Telephone Companies to
priority Of patents, said inquiry to in
clude all organizations and companies
that have sprung out Of the Psn-Electric
Telephone Company, or for any other
purpose, and also TO make ullinquiry
into the issuance of stock known as the
Pan-Electric Telephone stock, or any
stock Ofany other companies or organi-
zatioDs spriDging out Of the Pan-Elec-
trio Telephone Company to any person
OF persons connected with either the
legislative, Judicial, or executive de-
psrtments Of the Government Of the
United States, to whom, when, where,
and for what consideration-ln money
or inhuence-said stock was delivered 4;
also, as to what opinions, decisions and
orders have been made by any officers
connected with the Government, and
by whom, and all the circum-
stances connected Herewith and arising
therefrom. And said committee is
further authorized and directed to as
certain ard report whether either Of the
telephone companies herein mentioned
or their officers, agents, and employees
have in any manner improperly indu-
enced or attempted to influence officials
OF official action by or through the
public press, and if so, when, by
whom, and in what manner such influ-
ence was exerted or attempted to be
exerted, and what newspaper or news
papers were so used or attempted to
be used by them. The said commit
tee shall have the right to send for
persons and papers, to administer oaths,
to sit during the session of the House,
to employ stenographer, and incur
any and all such necessary and reason
able expenses as may be required for
the purpose Of conducting said investi-
cation, not to exceed the sum Of 81 900,
which shall be paid out Of the contin-
gent fund Of the House upon proper
vouchers, certified by the chairman and
one other member Of the committee,
and may report at any time,
Mr.. Gibson, Of West Virginia, said :
1t is with extreme reluctance | oppose
the resolutions coming from the Com
mittee on Rules. but feel that have
duty to perform to my constituents
and country as well as the Commit
tee on Rules have, and | am I'M
willing to sit here and see this
body drifting into an investigation
that brings no respect to it, or conf
denCe to the country, or no good to any
human being. There has never yet
been made a charge against any person
occupying an official position such as
would justify the trial OF any man in
this country but yet member Of this
House, refer to the gentleman from
New York pulitzer, himself an editor
of paper, did not see fit in his official
capacity TO attack these gentlemen in an
open, honest, and manly way in which
a representative should have done, but
undertook 10 retreat behind tho ire
Sponsible columns Of his newspaper for
the purpose Of creating a scandal, for
what motives | am not here to state.
Mr.. Holman | call the gentleman's
attention to the fact that the gentleman
from New York is not present.
Mr.. Gibson The gentlemen is not
present: cannot help that he ought
TO be here. | remember that gentlemen
who have lived long life Of good repu-
tatiOn and by their integrity and capacity
have won the confidence of the country
have been arraigned by an irresponsible
newspaper, and the Democratic major
ity is rushing before the hue and cry
to do that which must only do the gen.
tlemen injustice. There is not charge
embraced in these resolutions. They
do not charge that there is any corrupt
act by these parties. They do not
charge that the Attorney General has
given a corrupt decision; that the
Secretary Of the Interior has given a
corrupt decision that dollar has been
illegally expended. On the contrary,
they refrain with wonderful unanimity
from making any such charge. All that
has been done in the telephone matter
has been to refer it to the courts. Let
the courts decide whether it has been
properly referred or not. If it has been
properly referred what has Congress to
do with the question Of reference: They
say the gentlemen some time or other got |
stock. | stood on the floor Of this House
and heard member say that he held |
Of thousands of dollars of |
railroad stock, and would combine |
with the railroads to clog up the courts
with business, but no outcry was made |
against it. | see all around me men |
who hold railroad stock and national
bank stock voting with stock in their
pockets, and no cutlery is made against
{. The distinguished gentleman from
New York Clewitt), himself large
manufacturer, is at work, and has been
It work for years, to revise the tariff
% that his manufactures may be more
Profitable. [Laughter.l There is a
Gentleman from South Carolina on the
on Coinage who is men,
'er of a national bank.
Mr.. Brown A.; ! want to know whether
hey paid for the stock?
Mr.. Gibson 1t matters not whether
hey paid for it or got it gratuitously.,