The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-12-20
N
mr.. Chambers Resolution Concerning th
Alleged Naval Officers Lobby Fund.

Mr. Chambers Resolution Concerning the
Alleged Naval Officers Lobby Fund.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.-In the Senate, to-
day. Mr.. Chandler called up the resolution
offered by him some days since in regard to
organizations among naval officers to influ-
ence congressional legislation. and made a
statement on the subject. He desired, if
possible. to protect naval officers from be-
ing levied upon and induced, or compelled,
to pay money, which they could poorly
spare, for the purpose of influencing legis-
lation. He said that a year or two ago
ThomasJ. Cowle. a passed assistant aymas-
ter In the navy, prepared n bill for the in
crease of the rank and pay of officers of the
navy. lt was q very comprehensive bill.
Lit increased the rank and pay of all the Off
GERS of the navy. 1t contained no feature
of economy whatever. There was no re-
duction anywhere. 1t was an increase all
all along the line. That bin had not been
introduced in either house. but it had been
fitting around privately in print. In con-
nection with that bill there had been q
movement organized to secure money from
naval officers. That movement had taken
the shape of certain printed circulars.
One of those circulars Mr.. Chandler sent
to the Clerks desk and had read. 1t was
1850. 1t stated that Mr.. John III. Thomas.
of Illinois. had been engaged as attorney to
take charge of and advocate the passage of
a bill framed by him for the reorganization
and equalization of the pay of the personnel
of the navy. and it expressed the hope that
all the officers would respond promptly to
Mr.. Thomass communications. In connec-
ton with this circular. one from Mr..
Thomas himself was sent to the Clerks
desk and read. 1t is also dated Dec. 2, 1889,
and states that he has been requested to
act in the matter; that expenses must neces-
sarily be incurred. and that time and labor
must be devoted to the work, and that his
mir. Thomas'sl acceptance of the PROPOSE
ton depended upon its approval by the
officer addressed. upon his sending a retain
ing fee of 50 and signing a contract (of
which a form was sent to pay a contingent
fee of 10 per cent. on the increase of the pay
for one year.
Mr.. Chandler added that there were
1,500 naval officers, and that this attempt to
get them into the movement had taken an
extremely offensive shape. He submitted
to the Senate that il was an extremely OBJ
jectionable and discreditable attempt to in
huence legislation. He did not believe that
such d contract. even if entered into, would
be legally binding; but. at any rate. it was
a contract which would absolutely paralyze
the committees of Congress who wonld have
the bill under consideration.
a long and somewhat acrimonious debate
followed. which was participated in by
Messrs- Hale, ingalls,. Mcpherson, Cockrell.
Butler and Call, but the resolution was
finally agreed to.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Coke as 10 the attack on Justice Field in
California and the killing of David :. Terry
was referred TO the judiciary committee.
Several unimportant resolutions and bills
were introduced, and then the senate went
into executive session. After the doors
were reopened messages were received from
the House announcing the deaths during
the recess of Representatives Laird of Ne
braska. Townshend of Illinois and Cox of
New York. Resolutions expressive of the
regret of the Senate were offered by Sena-
tors Henderson. Cullom and Evarts. and
were agreed TO. and. as a further mark of
respect To the deceased, the Senate ad-
jouIned.