, 1889-12-26

ported resolution directing an examina-
tion by the treasury department of the
war claims of the state of California,
growing out of Indian hostilities and
disturbances; agreed to.
BY Mr.. Cullom--To provide for the
celebration of the 400th anniversary OF
the discovery of America by an exposi-
tion Of arts, industries, manufactures
and products in 1892.
BY Mr.. George-To permit the states
10 tax national bank notes and United
States notes.
INCREASED PAY IN THE NAVY.
A Statement Made by MIR. Chandler
in the Senate.
Mr.. Chandler called up the resolution
offered by him In regard to organizations
among naval officers and the in
huence on congressional legislation, and
made q statement on the subject. He
desired, IL possible, he said, to protect
the naval officers from being levied upon
and induced or compelled to pay money
which they could poorly spare for the
purpose of influencing legislation. He
said that year or two ago Thomas j.
Cowrie, passed assistant paymastcr in the
navy, prepared q bill for the increase of
the rank and pay of the officers of the
navy. 1t was very comprehensive
bill. 1t contained no feature of econo-
my whatever. That bill had not been
introduced in either house, but it had
been fitting around privately and in
print. In connection with that bill
there had been movement organized to
secure money from the naval officers.
That movement had taken the shape of
certain printed circulars.
One of these circulars Mr.. Chandler
sent to the clerks desk and had it read.
1t was from Mr.. Cowrie, and was dated
December 2, 1885, 1t stated that John
II. Thomas of Illinois had been engaged
as attorney to take charge of and advo-
cate the bill framed by him for the reor-
ganization and equalization of the pay
of the personnel of the navy, and it ex-
pressed the hope that all the officers of
the navy would respond promptly to
Thomas communication.
In connection with this circular one
from Mr.. Thomas himself was sent to
the clerks desk and read. 1t stated that
he had been requested to act In the mat
ter; that expenses must necessarily be
incurred; that time and labor must be
devoted to the work, and that his
(Tnomas) acceptance of the proposition
depended upon its approval by the ofi-
GERS addressed, upon their sending re-
tanning fees of 50 and signing contracts
tof which the form was sent to pay q
contingent 10 per cent on the increased
pay for one year.
Chandler added that there were 1900
naval officers, and that this attempt to
get them into the movement had taken
extremely offensive shape. He sub.
mitted to the senate that 1t was an ex-
tremely Objectionable and discreditable
attempt to Influence legislation. He did
not believe such contract, even If en-
tered into would be legally binding.
But, at any rate, it was contract which
would absolutely paralyze the com.
mittees OF congress who would have the
bill under consideration and who have
supported the resolution.
1t was, he said, matter of deep re-
gret and of some modification to Know
that public legislation and outside Of
forts in the direction of accomplishing il
were being hawked about by attorneys
in Washington, There were a great
many men living in Washington land
living pretty well) whose source of in
come was derived from the supposed in
fiuence on legislation. He hoped that
the resolution would be agreed to, and
promised that when the information
was received the naval committee would
give the matter thorough investiga-
tion.
Mcpherson defended the action of
Paymaster Cowrie and said that If that
officer had discovered a method by
which the pay of the officers of the navy
could be equalized to the satisfaction of
all the naval officers, he should be set
down as q public benefactor.
Butler said that while he suggested
the other day that the resolution be re.
ferred to the committee ON naval affairs
he had no objection to its being adopted,
nor to the fullest Investigation Of the
whole subject. The spirit of reform was
abroad in the land-political reform,
educational reform, temperance reform,
and now there was to be lobby reform.
He supposed that it was better late
than never, but it appeared
10 him to be tempest
In a teapot. An officer of the navy, be.
cause he chose, in the exercise of his
rights as citizen of the United States,
fore congress, was denounced as if he
had been doing very improper thing
And q reputable attorney, because lie
chose TO make a contract with naval
officers, was held up to the country as
violating Some code of propriety and
rectitude. lie thought the whole per-
formance was unnecessary, and he
wished the effort to drive away the lob.
byists would be applied In other direc.
lions as well as to the officers of the
army and navy. whose mouths were
closed.
Mr. Cockrell expressed astonishment
at hearing the senator from South Car
olina say that the officers of the army
and navy had their mouths closed and
could not approach congress. Congress
was just as open to them as to any citi.
zen of the United States.
The question was whether the officers
had the right to go into combination,
paying fixed fec in advance and agree
Ing to pay q contingent fee.
Mr. Butlor-Wby should not an officer
do It. as well as other citizens?
"The public will answer that question.
i hold in my hand similar circular, is.
sued some tirne ago, in reference to
another bill to increase the salary of oili-
GERS, in which it is stated that the fee is
50 rs a retainer, with contingent fees of
So" Such things, he declared, were n
disgrace to the army.
After further discussion by Messrs.
Butler, Cockrcli and Call, the resolu-
tion was agreed to.