Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-20
THAT NAVAL LOBBY
II Worries Some Of the Senate
Statesmen.
CHANDLER PRODUCES HIS PAPERS

John n. Thomas, OF Illinois. ITS Attorney
butler OF south Carolina. Makes the
Debate acknowledgements Record In
Brief-siicott's Victims Propose That
Uncle sam Shall Foot the BiIl-Hoi-
man Has a scheme That Don't Go.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec 1.-THE first
lively debate of the session took place in the
senate yesterday, Chandler called up his res
olution in regard to organization among
naval officers 10 influence congressional legis-
lation. He said that year or two ago
Thomas J. Cowie. passed assistant paymas-
ter in the navy. had prepared bill Tor the
Increase of the rank and pay of all officers in
the navy. That hill had not been introduced
in either house, but il had been fitting
around privately in print, and in connection
with the bill there had been movement or
ganized to secure money from naval officers.
John n. Thomas the Attorney.
circular from Mr. Cowie was read II
stated that Mr.. John r. Thomas, Of Illinois,
had been engaged ~ the attorney to take
charge uf and advocate the passage Of a bill
framed 10y him for the reorganization and
equalization of the pay Of the personnel OF
the navy and expressed a hope that all the
officers wond respond promptly TO MIR
Thomas communication. A circular from
Mr. Thomas was read stating that expenses
must necessarily be incurred and time and
labor must b. devoted to the work and that
his acceptance OF the proposition depended
upon its approval by the officer addressed,
upon his sending retaining fee of e. and
signing "a contract to nav "A contingent fee of
one year.
Chandler said that there were |. 500 naval
officers, and that this movement had taken
| an extremely offensive shane.
Hale Expresses Modification.
Hale supported the resolution. and said it
was a matter Of regret and modification to
know that public legislation and outside
| efforts in the direction of accomplishing il
were being hawked about 10y attorneys in
Washington He hoped that the resolution
| would I've agreed to- and promised that the
naval committee would give the matter a
careful Consideration
| Mcpherson defended the Action of co,yie
and said il that officer had discovered meth
| cd by which the pay Of officers of the navy
| could he eaualized to the satisfaction of ali
| the navy officers he should be regarded a. a
public benefactor.
Butler Defends the jolly Tar>.
Butler had no objection to the resolution
| being adopted. nor to a full Investigation OF
the whole subject. ne was glad To see the eff
| fort Of senator's to reform the lobby He
supposed that il WAS lsetter late than never
but it appeared TO him To- he a tempest in a
teapot. Because an officer 81 the navy
/ chooses "a exerciss, his rights as A citizen he
| was denounced; aud a reputable attorney.
because he chose 10 make contract with
| naval officers. was held up 10 the country a.
| violating some cod. OF propriety and rrcti-
tude The whole performances was unneces-
| sary, and he wished that the effort to drive
| away the loblyiSt would IL. appliel i'm of her
| directions rs we'll as To officers of tba army
| and navy. whose mouths yy.rs closed ",
could see no reason why officers sbouId moi
| employ counsel whenever and nav them
| whatever they pleas,.d
| Cockr.II A-tonI.h.,l AT Bu,I.r.
CockreIl expressed his astnnishmsDt nj
| hearing the senator from South Carilina say
that officers OF the army and navy have
their mouths closed aud could not approach
congress ANY officer might send petition
To the senate or house through the proper
| channel The question WAS whether officers
/ had a right to 90 into a combination. having
a flxed fe. in advance. and agreeinf, Ia nav y
Il