Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-11
THE LIBRARY INvESTIGAT ALTON.
Preliminary Meeting % the House Sps.
cial COmmittea.

HsrRHsENrATTvI srAHLSEcKn rn xzxBKl or
NvHsTIeATIoN-rHR INQUIRY 10 BEGIN THURSDAY
NAMES OF TIE WITNESSES WHO ARE 10 ArPIAR.
The special committee OF the House, appointed
under the Kelley resolution to make an investiga-
tion 70 discover II any member or members OF
Congress have attempted improperly TO influence
the action OF Architect smithmeyer In making
contracts In connection with the new Library
building began Its work to-day. At IL 80 O'Clock
the meeting was called to order by the chairman,
Mr.. Rice All the members-Messra Rice, Catch.
ingA Perkins, z B. Taylor, and Hayes-were pres
ent The frst question that came up was as to
the admission OF newspaper men to the room. Nj.
Catchings opposed the admission OF reporters, de-.
caring that he did dot think It proper that the re-
ports should 60 out piecemeal. but said that they
should be given out a. an entirety when It was al
over.
Judge Kelley, the author Of the resolution and
the principal witness. stated that It was his In
tention 70 announce flrsts that Representative
solution. He thought that members OF the As
soctated Press and the American Press Associa-
ton should be admitted to the hearing.
Mr. srAHINRCKER WANTED A FULL AND oPIN In
vHsTIGArIoN.
Mr.. Stahlnecker stated that since his name had
been brought in without any IFS, he would venture
to suggest that, while he was prepared to accept
the committees decision In the matter, he would
prefer that the doors should be open. He wanted
IL should be as open as the day.
Judge Taylor earnestly favored opening the doors
90 sne Hs Ss all
OF the matter, and thought justice TO the accused
made 1t important that there should be fair and
facts should Be given the widest publication. The
surest way to secure such Q report was TO give
every facility TO the press
be preliminary meeting, and that he had not
thought 70 present his case to-day, but to fx day
when this should be done. He suggested that
invsstigst,on- Judge Kelley safsd 70 Be @ allowed red
to appear by counsel
TIE INVESTIGATION 10 BEGIN THURSDAY.
A motion by Mr.. catchingS that the investiga-
ton begin on Thursday, was adopted Both par
ties were then given permission TO appear by
counsel
Judge Taylor moved that the investigation be
open. There was some further discussion on this
subject Judge Taylor said he had perfect conn.,
oence In the press when they were not pressed
be done all parties
MI; Catchings opposed the motion. ana after
amendment admitting only members OF the TWO
press associations This was carried with the vote
OF od the chair, and the amended resolution was
adopted. Mr.. Taylor moved TO reconsider and
asked that the vote be postponed until Thursday.
MI. Stahlnecker asked for q copy OF the charges
Juage heiey promised to have copies ready by To-
NAMES OF THE wITNEssEs
The committee asked for the names Of some Of
the witnesses to be called.
Judge Kelley named Jno. L Smithmeyer Justice
Lamar, Librarian Sponord. Senator Voorhees,
&c.. S5eo b Williams. OF Indiana, and Jesse H.
MI: stahlnecker said he intended to call Messrs
Bright, Day and Smithmeyer.
the meeting then adjourned until IL O'Clock