Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-13

"1he causes which led to the death of Mr..
Cllley, says Mr.. King, ''were intimately con-
nected with the proceedings of the House of
Representatives. On the 18th of February.
1888, Mr.. Henry A. Wise. Representative from
Virginia, presented TO the House publication
IN the New York Courier and Enquirer, charg
ing a member of the House with corruption,
upon the authority of an anonymous writer
under the signature of The Spy in Washing
ton and thereupon moved a resolution for the
appointment of a select committee, with power
TO send for persons and papers, to investigate
the charges. The alleged respectabiity of the
source being vouched for by the editor of the
Courier ana Enquirer, led Mr.. Wise, for some
reason, to insist that the House was called
upon to defend its honor and dignity against
the charges"
MR.. cILLEY's SPEECH.
''NIr. Cilley addressed the House in opposition
to the resolution In the course of the debate
he said i know nothing of this editor but
Il II is the same editor who had once made
grave charges against an institution of this
country, and afterward received facilities to
the amount OF some $4,000 from the same
institution, and gave it his hearty support, L do
not think his charges are entitled TO much
credit in an American Congress-
These words were strictly in order. peril
nent TO the subject under discussion did not
exceed the limits of his place and duty. and
although they implied a doubt inconsistent
with unblemished honor and character III the
person alluded to, Mr.. Cilley was justified i'll
the use Of them by report Of a committee of
the House appointed in 1892 to inspect the
books and examine into the proceedings of the
bank of the United States.
The implied slur upon the character of the
editor OF the Courier and Enquirer" saws Mr..
Hing, was founded on statement of the
House committee, virtually charging James
Watson Webb. the editor referred to- with hay
ing been brlbed by pretended loan of $50 y7j
to cease his opposition to the L. 5. bank and
become Its advocate.
'Other members Of the House supported Mr.
Cilley in opposing the resolution OF Mr.. Wise:
using the most bitter and contemptous express
slons and eplthets against the editor of the
Courier and Enquirer, and especially against
the spy IN Washington in whose letter from
the capital the offensive charge was contained.
EDITOR Webs DEMAND.
'But Mr.. Cilley's remarks aroused the re-
sentiment OF Col Webb, who went to Washing
ton, and on the Dist Of February addressed
letter TO Mr.. Cilley, asking if he CWebb) was
the editor to whom he referred in the debate
Of the 18th Of February, and insisting upon an
explanation which he claimed the character
OF the remarks rendered necessary
This demand. under the circumstances then
existing, could not be misinterpreted. and was
not misunderstood Mr. Graves at this stage of
the affair was, so far as anything has ever an
Peared. on perfectly amicable relations with
Mr.. CIuey. and 1t has, to most people. always
ACAhaAAcu NrttTN NnN ne should have been
led INTO taking such singular interest in the
quarrel, which II Is plain, Col. Webb intended
~ force on Mr.. CiIley if possible.
"But Mr.. Graves. at Col. Webb's request. be-
came the bearer OF the note 10 Mr.. Cilley in the
hall OF Representatives while the House WAS in
session Mr.. Cllley declined TO receive the nota
on the ground that he chose not to be drawn
into controversy with Col. Webb: and subse-
quentIy repeated that he could not allow him
self 70 be drawn into personal difficulties witb
the conductors Of public Journals for what he
might consider IL his duty to say in debate IA a
representative Of the people; that he said
nothing against COL Webb as gentleman. and
stated other reasons as good as already men
toned
DIR. GRAVES PART.
In the correspondence that ensued. Mr.
Cilley explicitly disclaimed any disrespect for
Mr.. Graves; but il was not satisfactory to him
Mr.. Graves then took up the quarrel. or pro-
ceeded to pick a personal quarrel with Mr.
Cllley. ostensibly in behalf of Col. Webb He
accordingly sent a second note by Mr. Menefee
o member of the House from Kentucky who
gave il to Mr.. Cilley in the House during a ses-
sion, accompanying its delivery with an ex-
preston of the hope that he would perceive
the prOpriety of relieving Mr.. Graves from a
position that was becoming painful TO him.
This note demanded whether Mr.. Cilley de
clined 70 receive the communication Of Col
Webb on the ground of any personal exception
70 him as a gentleman and "A man of honor
and to that question demanded Categorical
answer
Mr.. Cilley replied refusing to admit Mr..
Graves right TO PROFOUND the question to
which a categorical answer was demanded, and
declined any further response to it."
TIE CHALLENGE.
'The next step was a demand for that salts
faction which is recognized among gentlemen
The challenge was conveyed to Mr.. Cilley by
Mr. Wise, as the second Of Mr.. Graves, and on
the same day, February %, was accepted by Mr..
CiIley who selected Gen. Geo. W. Jones, dele
gate in Congress from Iowa territory, as his
second. TO make arrangements suitable 10 the
occasion According TO the rules Of the duel