Evening star., 1896-03-25
THE HOUSE.

There was a dash of excitement in the
opening proceedings of the House today.
Mr.. Bartlett On. " rose to a question of
personal privilege to deny a statement made
in a local paper which charged that he had
furnished the campaign circular used by
Mr.. Sulzer IN. Y.) a few days ago during
the consideration Of the Bayard resolutions
in the latter's attack upon Mr.. Gibson
Tenn.)
The publication stated that there was
direct evidence that Mr.. Bartlett had pick
ed up the circular in job printing office
in this city, and had given it to Mr.. Sulzer.
Such an act, said Mr.. Bartlett, to say the
least, would be ungentlemanly, if not das-
tardly 1t would be anything but cour-
ageous to allow another gentleman to make
an attack which he himself would not
make. The publication might not be libel
ous but it was certainly lie. AS a mat
ter of fact, the charge was false; he had
never been in a job printing Office in Wash
ington in his life. 1.-The only redress a
member has In case like this he con-
cluded, ''is to draw attention to the libel
and denounce the fabrication
Mr.. BoutclIe's Explanation.
Mr.. Boutelle Cde) was on his feet as
soon as Mr.. Bartlett sat down. He, too,
had question of privilege to present he
said, in connection with a colloquy between
Gen. Wheeler of Alabama and himself
during the debate yesterday on the bill
to remove the restriction against the ap-
pointment as officers Of the army and navy
Of men who had held commissions in the
United States service before the civil war
and who subsequently had fought in the
confederate army. His opening sentence
raised a laugh.
During one of those gusts of fervid en-
thusiasm which occasionally sweep over
the house." said he land almost drive lis
ENGLAND hn
House on yesterday undertook negotiations
with the southern confederacy for peace
l made few remarks, and several gen.
tlemen were anxious to give me instruc-
tions." He was proceeding to explain that
while he was speaking about democratic
opposition to the retirement of General
Grant, General Wheeler challenged his
statement when Mr.. Crisp Interrupted and
insisted that Mr. Boutelle should state his
question of privilege first and make his
speech afterward.
Mr.. Boutelle replied that if M. Crisp
hear his question of privilege.
The speaker ruled that Mr.. Boutelle was
proceeding in order.
"rhat settles it," exclaimed Mr.. Crisp, as
he took his seat.
Il hope the gentleman will have full
range" SAID Mr.. Wheeler, who was prcpar-
ing to reply to him.
Il OBJECT" interposed Mr.. Miles (Md),
Ito giving the gentleman frcm Maine free
rein in anything"
Mr.. Bouteile proceeded to read from the
Congressional Record to show that Mr..
Wheeler had altered the record so as to
say that MANY democrats voted for the
bill tooretire Gen. Grant," instead of "all
the democrats as the official notes report
ed him. AS a matter Of fact, Mr.. Boutelle
said. the vote on the Grant bill was 19S
ayes to 70 nays.
Mr.. Owens H<y) attempted to prevent
Mr.. Boutelle from rehearsing the history of
the bill, and the Speaker thought that
branch Of the matter was not competent,
but Mr.; Boutelle made his point by stating
that So Of the 70 votes against the bill
were cast by ex-confederates.
He moved that the Record be corrected,
and without objection it was so ordered.
Mr.. Wheeler, meantime. was clamoring
for recognition. The Speaker thought he
should be allowed to explain. Mr.. Wheeler.
however, wanted to go back and review the
history OF the Grant bill This was NOT
permitted, and he finally contented himself
by offering as an explanation for the
change made in the Record that he thought
a gentleman, in revising his remarks, had
the right to make his statements conform
to the truth. >
The Naval Appropriation Bill.
ThA House then. on motion of Mr. Ron,