The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-11

New Massachusetts, Member-A Lively
Tilt Between the Two Honse Leaders,
Dingley and Crisp-The Latter Forgets
That He Is Not Speaker Still and the
House Laughs-Amos Cummings Talks
From Newspaper Standpoint-A
Lively Session for the New Congress.
Washington, December 10 Mr.. bar
rett Of Massachusetts, offered in the
House today resolution for the impeaoh-
ment of Thomas F. Bayard, United States
am bassador at London. for his recent
utterances rejecting upon the intelli-
gence and integrity of the American peo-
pie and the American Congress.
Speaker Reed ruled that the resolutions
were in order against the protest of Mr..
Crisp, who argued that it was not a
question of privilege.
The House then took up the considera-
tion of the resolution and Mr.. Barrett au-
dressed the chair.
ton of Mr. DingIey, Republican of Maine,
it was agreed that when the House ad-
journed today it be till Thursday.
Mr.. Fisher asked consideration of a
resolution directing the committee on
naval affairs, when appointed, to investi-
gate the reports that the battleship Texas
is faulty in construction EanG into mat
ters pertaining to h cr cost, sea-worthi-
| ness. etc.
On objection of Mr.. Crisp, it was re-
! ferred to the naval committee.
| i Mr.. Barrett then offered as matter
OF privilege his resolution reoiting that
Thomas F. Bayard, United States ambas-
sador to Great Britain, had been reported
by the press of England as having deliv-
cred on August 2, 1896, speech in which
| he had stated that the President of the
| United States stood in the midst of tur-
| bulent and oftimes violent people, and
that it took strong hand Of certain
man to govern them, and in a speech at
Edinburg, on November 18th, had reflect
ed upon the intelligence of the American
people, and calling upon the House to
take steps in the matter looking to the
impeachment of Mr.. Bayard.
Mr.. Crisp made point Of order against
the resolution that it did not present a
question of privilege and quoted decis-
ion rendered in the 4Sth Congress to sus
tain his contention.
Mr.. Barrett in discussing the point of
order pointed out that subsequently in
the same Congress the same speaker had
reversed that decision and held that all
propositions for the impeachment of pub
lie officers were privileged.
Speaker Reed overruled the point Of
order made by Mr.. Crisp and Mr.. Bar
rett explained his resolution and severely
arraigned Mr.. Bayard f3r his criticisms Of
the system of protection.
MI. Crisp defended Minister Bayard and
reviewed the history of the Mckinley
and Wilson tariff bills, upholdine the
latter and condemning the former He
did not think that the gentleman from
Massachusetts was serious in his proposit-
ion anu from the wording inShis proposit-
ion he credited the gentleman with be-
ing good proteotionist. If the Rep ub-
licans want protection they had majori-
ty in the House, and could pass tariff
bill. He doubted, however, If they could
do this They would probably say to the
people they did not have sufficient power
and ask them to wait. He asked them to
be honest and pass bill and not say it
was useless on account of the Senate and
the President
Mr.. Dingley thought Mr. Crisp had
entirely avoided the question at issue.
Mr.. Bayard had so far forgotten that he
represe enUed the entire people of the
country as to denounce upon a public
platform in England one-half the Ameri-
can people by asserting that the system
of protection they had at one time
adopted was everything that was bad.
Mr.. Dingley asked Mr.. Crisp if he
would approve the lang uage of Mr.. Bay
ard if he tomorrow, should attack in
| public the advocates Of free silver and de-
nouncess them in unmeasured terms as be-
ing destructive of business interests of
the country? Also whether he believed
the ambassador of all the people of tho
United States had a right to go on for
eign platform and denounce half or moro
of the people of the United States?
"Well," Mr.. Crisp began to answer in
hesitating way, 81" (pause, filed
with laughter fom the Republioans) Mr.
Crisp resumed, 81 am not dilomatist,
and do not know anything about intera-
tional law; but it seems to me any citl-
zen Of the United States, no matter in