Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-04
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
POLITICS IN THE SENATE
MI. Vests Resolution Again Discussed
THE LIBRARY BUILDING AGAIN
Mr.. Kelly's Resolution Adopted After
Lively Debate.
The Senate.

ueep-WaUer maroon on tne northwest coast OF Cne
Gulf Of Mexico He also presented q memorial on
the same subject from the deep-water harbor CON-
mittee or the city OF Galveston and asked that II
be printed in the Record SO ordered.
CANADIAN CLAnds TO THE ST. CLAIR FLATS CANAL.
In the Senate to-day, on motion OF Mr.. Cullom,
resolution was adopted calling on the Secretary
Of War for Information as to Canadian claims to
the st. Clair Flats canal This is a canal which
runs along the border between Michigan and
Canada, and though constructed by this Govern
ment Canada lays claims to some portion Of the
canal or to jurisdiction over it.
trusts unlawful; and had it referred to the com.
mittee on finance.
OVERHEAD WIRES
Mr.. Harris offered resolution, which was re-
ferred to the committee on contingent expenses,
empowering the committee on the District of
Columbia to employ a stenographer to report
hearings on the subject OF overhead electric wires
In washington and Georgetown.
Mr. PLuMBs SARCASTIC REMARKS.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Vest as
to the book published by the assistant librarian
Of the senate was taken up, and Mr.. Plumb pro-
ceeded to discuss it. and I'm connection with ft the
q fas
marks on being Informed OF his nomination at St.
Louis, wherein he said that the feeling Of awe
now been intensified. Mr.. Plumb said he could
understand that remark in view OF the ''pulling
and and hauling Of the dirty-sock democracy. which
had been hungry for twenty years"
HB CALLS ATTENTION 10 DEMOCRATIC TARIFF BOOK
AS to Mr.. McKee's book, Mr.. Plumb produced q
smaller publication on the subject Of the tariY,
just published under the name and title OF the
clerk Of theHouse committee on ways and means,
and recommended Mr.. Vest to attend to demo-
republican employees. He also brought dp
the circumstance connected with the re-
vania for neglecting their ofciai duties in order
to make partisan speeches, the former having been
though Burton Ssd maiigneS nall The al,
while the latter, who had not maligned the Ad-
ministration, had not been reinstated. he
brought forward yesterday by Mr. vest, to SHOW how
the impartiality Of Mr.. Cleveland Ibid not CON-
MR.. VEST REPLIED
that If any onicial of the House had published a
partisan work in his Official capacity and given it
to the public the same treatment should
Kee With regard to District Attorney @
Benton, Mr. vest denied emphaticaiiy that he had
him-rhat he had criticised the President. Mr. Vest
said he could occupy the Senate for two hours
reading testimony from the most reputable men
what was charged against him. He said the whole
matter was submitted to the President, and, after
Into It he decided Ha Mr. Benton gutess
quoted by Mr.. Plumb was a malignant partisan,
who never hesitated to falsify facts, and even
clared that Sullivan would not be believed under
oath in Missouri on q party question. Mr. Vest
characterized the Globe Democrat as a republican
paper and the Post Dispatch as an Independent
paper, not bound by any political ties.
Mr.. Plumb asked II 1t was not
OWNED BY Mr.. PULITZER
Mr.. Vest replied that 1t was and Is, but that here
In washington is paper, the Post, run in the
interest Of the republican party, and yet the ma
Jority OF the stock is owned by well known demo-
crat
Mr.. Blair remarked that If the Post is run in the
interest Of the republican party it lacks ability
MI. Vest retorted that If it is designed to be
democratic paper It Is the most complete failure
politically ever seen. he added that every person
On
however, he said, such statements were to be ac-
cepted as true, he would ask what republican
would "fry the fat out Of the the ms manu-. e
ticket. Mr.. vest would ike >. to ' Know Of
not then Mr. Foster was guilty OF faisehood. he
said the two Vermont Senators had denied that
tnsy me sns aSa When his
VesG would have something more 70 say.
House Of Representatives.
THE LIBRARY BUILDING AGAIN.
Mr.. Kelley Pa.) offered q resolution directing
the special committee Investigating the construc.
ton OF the new Library building to inquire
whether any member OF the House has, by him.
SELF, or in combination with others, sought by
persuasion. Intimidation or corrupt or improper
means, to influence ]. l. Smithmeyer, the archi-
tect. In the selection, acceptance or approval of
inferior or improper material to be used in the
construction of the building.
In response to . question BY Mr.. Blount (Ga.)
MI. Kelley stated that he made the proposition to
the House on Information which he had received
been corroborated by Increasing testimony and
aodtl0nal facts. He would name the member
when he appeared before the COMMITTEES.
The House entered upon the consideration of the
resolution with considerable interest The i'm
piled allegation that some member or members OF
the House had been engaged In improper conduct
OF this sort caused
SOMETHING OF A SENSATION.
After the resolution was read Mr.. Blount asked
Mr.. Kelley as to whether the allegation was upon
Information within his own knowledge.
Judge Kelley replied that he made the PROPOSE
in the session, and which had since been corrobo-
dence.
1t was proposed by Mr.. Oates that the inyeata-
chase OF material at unusual prices as well as In
wanted the Investigation to be as thorouSh as T n
could be made, and that he would accept any sug-
geSCl0n that would broaden and make tt more per.
feet Judge Kelley asked to have printed In the
Record, as part OF his remarks on the
subject OF appropriations for the library building,
SWORN srATENINT By MR. sMIHHNEYRR,
sent to MI. Holmans committee, In which he dis
putes or ~corects statements BY Mr. Clarke, the
architect Of the capitol before the special Library
COMMITTEES. that Mr.. Smtthmeyer was practically
In control OF the entire work, and also as TO the
alleged waste In not using old material The am
davit declared that Mr. Smithmeyer was not re-
sponsiole for any Encouragement In connection
with the matter; that during the early part OF the
work he protested against several things that he
did noe deem proper In connection with build
ing, for which he seemed 70 hold Mr.. Clarke
and the secretary, Mr.. Trainer, responstbae.
He said mat he had raised q question and Written
Q letter OF protest against excavation along lat
and oereota AZ TO the failure TO use old mate-
rial, he stated that this material was OF such a
poor character that II would not sustain the pres
sure necessary, falling far short OF tho marx by
actual test He accused M. Trainer and NJ
Clarke OF being responsible for Furnishing Ooyern
ment plant for the use OF CONTRACTORS on his worf
and declared finally that the testimony OF these
two before the committee was Influenced and COL
ored BY prejudice and therefore unWogthy OF
belief
An AMENDMENT oFYYRIn
After thisw read, MI. Blouns offered an amend.
ment to the resolution % - 70 place the invesf-
cation In the hands OF the spec1al committee