New-York tribune., 1886-02-02
THE TELEPHONE SCANDAL.
INVESTIGATION ORDERED BY THE HOUSE.

urvvzy n,scUssloN UPON QUESTION OF PRIvI-
IYGr-MR. MORRISON TO THE RESCUE.
Icy TELEGRAPH THE TRIsUNE.I
w.suISGroN Feb 1.-Mr. Hanback,, of Kansas,
raised a lively breeze in the House this morning when
he rose 10 question OF privilege and sent to the ccrk
desk TO be read editorial from " The NeW-iOrK
World entitled The Telephone Scandal" Mr.. Pu-
liter WAS not present but Mr. Breckenridge OF Arkah
"a, who probably had read the article promptly
Dds the mint Of order that there nothing IN the
editorial which reflected upon Mr. Hanback, ID MS
c,nacitv as a Representative. The Speaker asKeu IL
,h; statement WAS correct and Mr.. Hanback, admitted
that II was but insisted that the article ana oher eu
,orias relating to the reflected upon the HOUSE
of Repres enatyes, and therefore the charges ouen "
be inv estgated. r
Rv Tin, time the Democratic side was in state oil
,;cb ferment. Reagan. McMillin ana dozen other
Sopthein men were their feet clamorlhg lor he"i
ing on questions of order. Mr.. Dunn, oi Arkansas
,oa;,ta,ed that the question of privilege must be
decided by the Speaker after personal Inspection oi
the matter submitted that the records OF the House
might not he made :" venice 10 car' sc"n""'' "
toIe the country"
The Sneaker ruled that as the editorial did not reflect
u,on Mr. Hanback, he could not base question ol
privilege upon IT.
Mr. Hanback, then offered the foliO"lnS'
Resolved That the Committee ON Expenditure & ~ no ~
Denortment OF Justice be empowered TO make inll III
ouiry into any expenditure ON the part Vi tue OI,
1nept relative to tue rights OF the Bell ana
Telenbone Companies and for the purpose OF 'hls ~
yestiqaon aud the end that the people ihay po i
advised the committee IA granted tne lsut s,i.d =. md
Tor persons and papers all expenses 10 DC duul'e ~ ~
accounted from approved vouchers, aLd wher m % "r
proved be paid out OF any moneys III 'iie
not otherwise appropriated .,,
The Speaker thought that this WAS hot Pi'N'9''
resolution but simply one OF inquiry.
A short discussion followed i'll the course OF "hoh
Mr. Randall declared that while he did not think the
natter was one with which the House was required 10
deal he was opposed to throwing any obstacle Ill inc
WAY of the fullest investigation OF any matter
ing the public welfare ~ --:.i.,,, Sou,b
hir kandas little speech brought the VIoleht ,; ro
ern democrats TO their they began 10 r'"no
their mis- axe ia opposing inquiry which, nhesS NS
scope he extended Oy sOue future &C ion Oh 'ie o '
,,ili mot touch The object at which IL Is alineu
Colonel Morrison seemed TO appreciate me avn %
nj inc nredicament III which his party had piaoeu
itsot and TO extroate it he asked unanimous Gon'en'
that Mr. Hanbacks resolution be nnmeulaeS oon-
sidered. -, n,,oorats ob;ected
lint were by the personal appeals OF some o
their oaIty friends withdraw their olPo>luon' az"
the resolution was adopted
Mr. I,tte of ONO introduced resolution directing
the &c on the Judiciary to inquire INTO anu io
,,r, xb.ber under existing law. and If So what law
the Is authorized, at the Instance a0
I'm the interest OF private corporations or Of lhu'ua
T., he mann, and nj the expense OF the United states
instiiute and carry or defend against sul.1 W ~,
or unuui letters patent issued to cIt@ehs ol to
States uuder the laws thereof on account Ol lhNeton
or discoveries said United states having no ptcui9
or other interest hcren and wheer sueh % a.; -
be deemed Wise Ill lho Ju"S
.nent nj Inc commi, tee law cOnferrlnG the s1n'
shall not be- made 80 specific as mat puu's III
can he aupr sed with certainty IN what cases an. n
.ha conditions they may LOOK to tle United states .
undertake the burden OF their tsationS III IhaV poD