Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-24
sOETY-NlNTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, July %.

WASHINGTON, July %.
Mr.. Blair rising 10 personal explanation
sent to the clerks desk and had read an ex-
tract from Washington correspor dent of
the New York World of July l6, and an edi-
torial paragraph from the Washington Star
of the same date TO the effect that revelations
were to be made about a member of the Sen
ate, that had charged poor widow $500 for
helping her TO obtain pension. The only
reason he had for supposine that this news
paper matter had reference to himself arose
from the fact of a conversation which he had
had on the previous day with the Senator
from West Virginia. (Csmden) on the sub
ject of the veto Of a pension bill in the case
of Mary Jane Nottage. That Senator urged
him to assent TO the notifications of his re-
port on the ground that it would be better for
himself, (Blsir) to do so, and alluded to re-
ports in circulation as TO his (Blair's) per-
sonal integrity to the effect that while men,
Der of Congress he had charged a widow, an
applicant for pension, 500 for services in
obtaining her pension.
The only case that could give rise To such
runor occurred while practising as lawyer
in his native State, that of Hannah Ladd, " no
lost a son in the war and whose husband was
demented. He obtained pension of $1,000,
the entire charge being $50. Since he had
been in Congress he had never had anything
to do with such cases for personal gain. The
bill was never presented to Mrs. Ladd until
1880, when his law partner, without Blair's
knowledge. called on her for payment. She
refused, and the partner sued her and obtain
ed judgment BY default. As soon as Blair
heard of the proceedings he directed his part
ner to discontinue them. He had never re-
ceived dollar for services or expenditures
the m He moypl fhat the raj 70 ms nj
and papers in the case be referred TO the com
mittee on privileges and elections.
This ev ked murmurs of dissent on the
democratic side Mr.. Camden confirmed
generally the correctness of Mr.. Blair's state
ment so far as he was concerned, and disa-
vowed all come ction with publications re-
ferred to by Blair.
1t was ordered that the whole subject with
papers in the ease from the pension office,
should he referred to the committee on privi-
leges and elections.
The Senate at u 80, took up the Payne
case and was advised by Mr.. Call in opposi-
ton to further investigation.
Mr.. Evarts closed the debate in an argu-
ment against further investigation and was
attentively listened to.
The Senate, at o'clock proceeded to take
votes.
liz ulst Nbte Uu We TteOlutlOH VI
Messrs. Hoar and Frye (for further investi
gstion) and it was rejected; yeas II, nays
A
Among those who voted with the minority
were Messrs. Blair, Dawes, Edmunds, Frye,
Hale. Hawley, Hoar and Plat.
The resolutions of the majority (that there
be no further investigation) were adopted
yeas A, nays las follows:
Yeas-Mes.rs. Berry. Blackburn Brown,
Butler. Call, Camden, Cameron, Chace
Cockrell Coke, Colquitt, Culom, Eustis,
Evarts, Gibson, German, Gray, Hampton.
Harris, Hearst, Ingalls,, Jones of Arkansas,
Jones of Nevada, Kenna. Logan, Maxey.
Miller, Plumb, Pugh, Ransom, Riddleberger,
salisbury, Sawyer Sewell Stanford, Teller,
Vance Van Wyck. Vest Voorhees,, Wal
thall and Wilson of Maryland.
Navs-Messr.. Blair, Conger, Dawes, Ed
munds, Frye, Hale, Harrison, Hawley, Hoar,
Mcmillan. Malone, Henderson, Mitchell of
Oregon, Palmer, Patt, Sherman and Man
derson of Iowa.
There was slight applause when the result
announced
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the sundry civil bill and had only got
through three more pages, when at p NJ.
it took recess until 8.
The Senate reassembled at o'clock and
resumed consideration of the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill. After transactng great
deal Of minor business the Senate at IL As
adjourned.