New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-01
AZ ABSURD QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE7
TIE HOUSE WASTING TWO HOURS OVER Mr.
oATEs's RESOLUTION FOR AN INQUIRY,
BASED UPON VAGUE NEWS
PAPER CHARGE.
PAPER CHARGE.

Washington. July 81 (Spccian.-Thc Democratic mi
nortv in the House to-day again succeeded in wasting
nearly two hours Of time. They did II by trying -
support Colonel BATES. Of Alabama, III his absurd
position that the resolution offered by him on Tues
day fer the investigation Of the charges Of corruption
against members OF the House contained in recent
editorial in "Thc National Economist" the official
organ Of the National Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union. was resolution Of high privilege.
Upon The que,tion of order raisrf by Mr.. cannon,
of Illinois that the resolution was not prlvgcd thcc
arose a curious debate, in which such intellectual
Democratic giants Rogers, OF Arhai'a-, ana ken
arSon Of Tennessee, took part. Messrs ''rjS'enor
Peters and Others on the Republican side submitted
some pertluent observations: but nobody Oh e'thcr
side seemed ~ know what really inspired the IcNoh
lion Colonel Oates, it i understood has ,uS' come
of victorious in hard hgh against the Farmers
Alliance for a denomination. ard some persons be-
lievcd that ne Lad again dug no the wal hatchct III
order TO punish the Alliance; vet every Democrat III
the House who is ambitious to serve ~ DOB ior
the tail Of the Alliance kite voted with oates on mo-
ton 10 ovcrrue The speakers decision.
In the course Of the debate Mr. Cannon cortcnded
that The resolution did not present Iue'tyn ~
privilege. The charge made ia the editorial was IN
definite For one. until somebody made rta'Ih'DN
.nc,lAc charge and showed al ability 10 procure
evidence that would tend 10 establish H. ne thn'AA'
that the House owed il 20 H. dignity and 9 the ba'
mes, If the country go pay no attention 10 The matter
Mr. Grosvenor thought that IL the House wtc 10 IL q
cocnizancc OF TIT, charge although practically II Wa no
charge the resolution should FIRST 10 sent - com
uittc. The article charged that In these cHripl
dsy, a man did not change his convictions without .
consideration. Tint was the writer's JUDGMENT
Whether he obtaiued It BY personal experience and
observation did not appear.
Mr. Peter, was opposed 10 dirnying the edit 'fllI
by paving any attention 10 II. The man wa could
pen such an article must De either corrupt or man
Of tle den,c-t ignorance. There wa not man in
the House w.o dd not know that the charge Wa
absolutely fal,c lie denied that the writer HAD any
FIGHT 10 make charge I'm TIE name Of The Farmers
Alliance. There were some members 0i TIE la!'H'''
Alliance who were demasosuc~. and who w'w 40
tempting b. lead the Alliance into politics ana o'i
side of H. legitimate sphere Of action. And the" mn
were feeding upon Just such utcrances AZ tm> ,d.''n
contained. They trying T. create the Inp'r>-."
That all public corrupt, Gnd that nv We"
The only yiriuDus men Ia the Union, and therefore
should be put int, Office. .s $40.
the matter Ia a fcT tcr,c sentences. when mth nay
disconnected lC,, obstinate OF OD'uSc uih tia' l'
author Of the resolution He remarked lhat 10.
rctsu,ry>r editorial was Of IN" vsgrcst clametcr II
statement upon which any body cOuid De expect !"
prcdica:c y belief ~ conviction II whS |''nH w.
hnov,rdse OF every member that paragraphs Oh '",
Chor ctcr wer,, floating around In Tile newspapers 81
the country. The House COaM Sc The luC"hN"hlch''
which would result 10 the business q" the house u any
member lad the night, o' the rud!t I'.H Vi d P'i'
Colonel oates r. ed 10 bp" 1" ~ l'hhc' o., ''
ION and tool, al appeal. in Wtich h va l0Ih'd ~
nearly every Democrat present. TAG tf'l'lYi VIC
sustained rs a vote Of 50 - II, and thea .'l'ncl
Cate~ snLsl,Icd \ more absurd question % ply
tlSce~ has never been brought before the House, but
il wasted two hours Of time