Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-02
TELEPHONE SCANDALS.
An Editorial Article Causes Debate in
the Lower House,

the Lower House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. LIN the House
to-day Mr.. Hanback,, of Kansas, rising to
a question OF personal privilege, sent to
the Clerks desk, to have read, an editorial
from yesterdays New York World, en-
titled "The Telephone Scandal" but its
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 Kansas in his representa-.
tive capacity. The Speaker ruled that
unless the article reflected in some way
on the gentleman from Kansas in his rep
resentative capacity there could be no
question of privilege involved.
OFFERS RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Hanback, could not say the article
was personal to himself, and in order to
get around the difficulty, Mr. Hanback,
offered the following:
ResoEoed. That the Committee on Expendi-
lures in the Department Of Justice be en-
powered to make full inquiry into any ex.
pendture on the part of the government rela-
tive 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
papers, all expenses 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 appropriated.
NO PRIVILEGE INVOLVED.
The Speaker could not see that the res
olution involved 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 that while be
did not believe that the House had any
thing to do with the subject matter as
presented he was opposed to throwing
any obstruction in the way OF the fullest
investigation on any matter which per-
tanned to the good government of the
United States. After little more wraua-
ling on the subject Mr.. Morrison, of Ili-
nOis, cut TIE gordian knot by asking
unanimous consent that the resolution be
Immediately considered.
THE RESOLUTION PASSED.
Mr.. Beach, of New York, showed dis
position to object, but was prevailed upon
by Mr.. Robertson, OF Kentucky, to give
his consent, and the resolution was
adopted without dissent.
Mr.. Hanback, was still unsatisftd, and
endeavored under cover of a question of
personal privilege to read the newspaper
article as at first, but be was ruled out of
order upon objection from several men,
bers, and as he declined to appeal from
the Speakers decision he was obliged to
desist.
MR.. BRADY JUMPS IN.
At this moment Mr.. Brady, Of Virginia,
joined " ith Mr.. Hanback, in demanding
recognition from the Speaker, and having
obtained it stated that he rose to IA ques-
tion of personal privilege. He had been
reflected upon as Mem Ger Of the House
and as a committee member. He had
also been reflected upon by a gentleman
on the floor Of the House, and he now rose
and asked unanimous consent that he
might be accorded the privilege of a per-
sonal explanation.
Messrs. Bragg, of Wisconsin. and Ham
mond, OF Georgia, objected, and the mat