New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-23
PANELECTRIC SHOCKS IN CONGRESS.
THE OLD SCANDAL REVIVED IN THE HOUSE
THE APPROPRIATION FOR COUNSEL IN THE TELE-
PHONE SUITS INCREASED.
rBr TELEGRAPH To THE rRrBUyE.l


PHONE SUITS INCREASED.
rBr TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUSE.l
Washington, June 22.-The Appropriation Of SO 1000
only as contained In the sundry Civil bill for extra
counsel to be employed by United States Dlstrct-At
torncys, brought up to-day In the House the whole
Pan Electric scandal and revived the rccollectioIs
which had almost passed from public memory, Of
Allen G. Thurman's incidental connection with It
one Of the special counsel retained and paid prose-
cute tho suits against the Bell Telephone Company
originally instgated by the Garland Harris Rogers
Pan Electric Combine
Mr. Oates, OF Alabama, tho leading member OF the
Pan Electric whitowashng Committee of the last Con-
gress, who dared to present his report to the
House for action, fearing the invincible
logic Of the minority report prepared By
Mr.. Ranney, OF Mass achusetts, took the lead in
defending Attorney General Garland and his assoc
aies He reinforced by Breckinridge, Of Arkan
sas. Singleton, of Mississippi. McCreary of Kentucky,
and the Solid South generally. Oates moved to In
crease tho appropriation from $4,000 to $4,000,
stating that though there were only two telephone
suits now pending, every knew there were great
many similar suits which would eventually have to be
brought in Iowa and elsewhere. The lawyers sm-
ployed to prosecute these SUITS he said, we're men
who would not accept the Office of DIstrict-Attorney
They lawyers who were making 100000 or
$4,000 year In their profession.
buchanan, of Ncw-Jersey, sent to the clerks desk
ana had read list OF the special attorneys employed
by tho Attorney in tho Pan Electric case and
high up In tho list appeared the name of Allen c.
Thurman as a beneficiary to tho extent OF $4,000
Tho total amount already paid out amounted to
SAC, 6o9 with balance OF 5000 s due to Mr.. Lowry,
Of NewYorh and unpaid Oates asserted that the
Attorney General knew nothing about these cases;
they instituted by the solicitorGenersl on his
own responsibility. This statement was received with
a loud gulaw on the Republican side, and Buchanan
declared that the GOODNESS Of the assertion had lowered
the torrd temperature Of the House at least ten de-
gecs.
Breckenridge, Of Arkansas, dared the gentleman
from NcwJersey buchanan TO assert that the Attor
ney-Ceneral knew of the institution OF these
suits. Buchanan replied that ho would
undertake to say that the Attorney
General knew anything at all about running tho De
partment OF Justice. sOwden, OF Pennsylvania, was
particularly severe the account rendered by MI
characterized the whole bill rendered robbery OF
the people to the extent of 100000 or 100000 year
Randall. OF Pennsylvania, stood out earnestly
against the increase OF the appropriation, but was OUT
voted By the Solid South. and would have been de-
fcatcd had not the Republicans come to his rescue
BY their aid Mr. Oates'S amendment was defeated and
the appropriation left reported BY tho commit
Ex- Solicitor General GOode, past and prospective
beneficiary under the appropriation to the amount OK
several thousands of dollars, had II been increased
sat beside Mr. Oates and prompted him curing the
whole debate Altogether, the spectacle was sorry
and humlliatlng ono.