The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-20
PAYMASTER COWIE AS A LOBBYIST.
He Wanted All His Comrades to Pool
In and Help Him Along.
How a class of People Live and Live
Well In washington.
Mr.. Chandier's Bill Respecting Naval
Lobbying Discussed.

WASHINGTON, December 10 In the Sen
ate today, Mr.. Chandler called up the reso-
luton in regard to organizations among
naval officers to influence Congressional leg
islation, and made statement on the sub
ject. He desired to protect naval officers
from being levied upon and induced or COM
PEELED, to pay money, which they could poor
ly spare, for the purpose of influencing legis-
lation. He said year or two ago, Thomas
j. Cowie, passed assistant paymaster OF the
navy, prepared bill for an increase of rank
and pay of officers of the navy. The bill in
creased the rank and pay of all the officers
of the navy. 1t had not been introduced
in eth House, but had been fiuttering around
privately in print. In connection with that
bill, a movement was organized TO secure
money from naval officers. That movemen-
had taken shape in certain printed Circuit
lors.
to the clerks desk and had read. 1t was
from Paymaster COwie. and stated that
John III. Thomas of Illinois, had been en-
gagged to advocate the passage OF bill Tor
the reorganization and equalization OF pay OF
the personnel of the navy and expressed the
hope that all officers would respond prompt
ly to Mr.. Thomas's communications.
In connection with this circular, one from
Thomas,was sent to the clerks desk. 1t called
upon officers to send Mr.. Thomas retaining
fee of S5 and sign contract to pay contln-
gent fee of 10 per cent of the increase of pay
for one year. Mr. Chandler added that there
were 1900 naval officers and this attempt to
get them into the movement had taken an
extremely offensive shape. He submitted to
the Senate that it was an extremely object
lOnable and dlscredltaDle attempt TO lnnu-
ence legislation.
Mr.. Hale supported the resolution. 1t was,
he said, matter of deep regret and some
modification to know that public legis-
lation and outside efforts in the direction of
accomplishing it, were being hawked about
by attorneys in Washington. A great many
men were living in Washington and living
pretty WELL whose source of income was de-
rived from their supposed influence on leg
islation, 'who toll n0t,neither do they spln."
Because it was fact that Senators and Rep
resentatives never had such men before
them in committee rooms, the imposition was
not so much on the Senate and House as on
the persons interested in the matter. He
hoped the resolution would be agreed to, and
promised that when information was re-
ceived the naval committee would give the
matter thorough investigation.
Mr.. Mcpherson defended the action Of
Paymaster Cowie.
Mr.. Butler said he was glad to see the eff
fort of the Senator from New Hampshire
and other senators to reform the lobby. He
been set on foot ten or twelve years ago.
The spirit of reform was abroad in the land;
political reform, educational reform, temper
ance reform, and now, lobby reform. He
supposed 1t was better late than never. 1t
appeared to him to be tempest in teapot.
An officer of the navy, because he chose to
employ counsel to represent him before Con-
gresS, was denounced as If he had been do
ing a very improper thing. A reputable at
torney, because he chose to make contract
with naval officers, was held up to the cOuD
try as violating some code of propriety aud
rectitude.
After further discussion by Messrs. But
Ter, Cockrell and Call, the resolution was
agreed to.
Mr. Mitchell offered an amendment to the
Pacific railroad funding bill, which was re-
ferrei to the select committee on that sub
ject.
The House concurrent resolution for holi
day recess from Saturday next till Monday,
January 9th was concurred in.
Mr.. Hoar from the committee on privileges
and elections reported back adversely the
joint resolution introduced by Mr.. Blair for
constitutional amendment comforting on
the District of Columbia representation in
the two Houses and in the electoral college
and asked that it be indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Blair remarked that many citizens of
the District were preparing to be heard and
the joint resolution was therefore placed on
the calendar
Among the bills introduced were the fol-
lowing:
OBy Mr.. Frye, to place the American merchant
marine in the foreign trade on an equality with
that of other nations
By Mr.. Cullom, to provide for celebrating the
400th anniversary of the discovery of America by
an exposition of arts, industry, manufactures and
products in 1892.
By Mr.. George, to permit the State to tax ma
tonal bank notes and United States notes.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of executive business. After the doors were
reopened, messages were received from the
House announcing the deaths of Representa-
tives Ladd of Nebraska; Townshend of IL
linois and Cox of New York. Resolutions
expressive of the regret of the Senate were
agreed to, and as further mark of respect,
the Senate at 4.30 adjourned until tomorrow.
In the executive session large amount of
routine business was transacted, about 200
nominations confirmed and as many more
reported from the committees and placed on
the calendar. Among the combinations
were the nominations of Arthur l.. Thomas,
to be Governor of Utah; BENZ. M. Thomas,
to be Secretary of New Mexico; Eli Jansells,
to be Secretary of Utah; Louis II. Tarpley
of Oregon, to be United States commission
er for A aska at Ounalaska; Robert s. Rob-
ertson Of Indiana and Oliver Sauders of Ne
braska, to be Utah commissioners Royal A.
johnson, to be surveyor general at Wash
inQtOn.