The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-06-06

to the IumOer scnedule OF the 'ari1
bill"
Hill appealed from the decision of the
Vice President and argued that the
Senate had a right to direct the preSld-
ing officer not to proceed further IN the
matter until after further action Of ohe
Senate. The statute in question was
loosely and carelessly drawn. But the
Senate had complete Jurisdiction Of the
latter until the last moment. Ine Sen
ate might see fit to direct that the Ger
tifcate provided for in the statute
should not be transmitted to the dis
trict attorney; and it had complete Ju
risdiction over the matter. He had nc
sort of interest, he said, personal OF
otherwise, in the investigation. 1t was
proper enough that the Senate should
Investigate the charge Of bribery; but
the report on that question had been
presented, and that portion Of the work
had been substantially completed. He
doubted the wisdom OF the other pro,
ceeding. He doubted the propriety OF
endeaVoring to ind out whether news.
paper men always told the truth. Ii
the Senate undertook that great work
it would be kept busy until the end OF
time. Senators could speculate in SD
gar stock or in silver or IN any other
kind of stock, and would violate no law
in doing so. Why does the committee
not call these Senators instead OF per-
scouting these newspaper correspond
ents, VINO do not pretend that they
have any personal knowledge of the
subject? Why seek out those CORES
pondents and then invoke the power OF
this great government to make them
tell the sources of their confidential in
fermation-when the very people about
whom they speak are in the city OF
WASHINGTON and can be summoned and
compelled to testify.
The real question Eas not what these
correspondents said, out what were t9e
exact facts. That was what the public
wanted to know. And nobody OBJECTS
to the committee finding it out, to its
hearts content. If a newspaper man
who had written something as to spec
ulations in sugar was on the stand and
said that he wrote it in good faith and
had derived his information from con-
fdential sources, why, Mr.. Hill asked,
should he be pressed on that point in
stead of. having the parties called
against whom the charge was present
ed? How are we to ascertain, asked
Allen, "Who they are, when the wit
nesses refuse to disclose their names or
the sources of their information?"
"SWear them all, if you have any
doubt about IT," Hill replied, with a
snap; and the galleries applauded, and
were rebuked by the presiding officer
for such a breach of propriety.
$50 long as you have" Hill went on,
"entered upon this inqulry-foolishly,
in my judgment-it is your duty to ex.
haust 1t and togo to the bottom. If
you have seen fit to investigate mere
IDLE newspaper charges, not founded on
affldaYlts, not founded on personal
knowledge, tnen carry it out, and do
not simply take the newspaper men
who strarted the inquiry. There is no
objection to swearing every Senator
around the circle. If any newspaper
man had circulated story which re-
fected on my honor and integrity as q
Senator, and if the Senate had seen ht
to enter on an Investigation OF this sort
and if the newspaper man dlSclalmed
on the stand, all personal knowledge of
the matter, should be the next wit
ness to be called. do not think it was
wise to have entered on to this branch
of the Inquiry, but the committee haV-
ing entered upon it should follow it up
Two of these newspaper men are resi-
dents of my State and represent news
papers published in my State, and that
IS one reason why I desire to present
these suggestions in their behalf. The
other reason is, because think that
the Senate is treading On ground on
which it ought not to tread. l think
that no good will come Of the investi-
CATION in thus seeking to peTsecute
these men. Thirdly, l deny the right
of the presiding officer, without any &C
tion of this body, to certify the facts
to the district attorney Of the District
and fourtaly, I believe it is within the
control'of the Senate to say whether
this prosecution or persecution shall go
any farther in that direction. l desire
and withdraw the appeal in regard to
one part or the ruling OF the chair"
Harris objected to part only OF
Hills appeal being withdrawn and also
to the reception Of Hills resolution,
but Hill continued to bold the floor and
read the resolution which he desired to
offer: THAT the questions asked and
refused to be answered are not peril
nent TO the inquiry aud that the presid-
lug officer be requested not to certify
the same TO the district attorney until
further direction Of the Senate
The resolution was not received, and
Hills appeal from the decision of the
chair was laid on the table.