The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-25
In The House.


WASHINGTON, March 25.-There was a
dash OF excitement in the opening pro-
ceedings of the House today. Mr.. Bart
lett, (Dem., n. Y, } rose TO question
OF personal privilege to deny statement
made in local paper which charged that
he had furnished the camraign circular
used by Mr.. Sulzer (Dem., n. W. a few
days ago during the consideration of the
bayard resolution in the iatter's attacks
upon Mr.. Gibson (Rep., Tenn.)
The publication stated that there was
direct evidence that Mr. Bartlett had
picked up the circular in job printing
office in this city and had given IL TO Mr..
Sulzer. Such an act, said MIR. Bartlett,
10 say the least, would be ungentlemanly
IL not dastardly. IL would be anything
but courageous to allow another gentle
man make an attack which he himself
would not make. Publication might
not be libelous, but 10 was certainly a
lie. AS matter of fact the charge was
false; he had never been in job printing
Office in Washington In his life. "The
only redress a member has in case like
this" he concluded, "is to draw attention
to the libel and denouncs the fabrica
tion.o
Mr.. Boutelle (Rep., Me-, was on his
feet as soon as MIR. Bartlett sat down. He,
too, had question OF privilege to pre-
sent, he said, in connection with col
loquy between Gen. Wheeler of Alabama
ana himself during the debate yesterday
on the bill to remove the restrictlon
against the appointment as officers of the
army and navy of men who held commis-
sions in the u. $. service before the civil
war and who subsequently bad fought in
the Confederte army. His opening SEN
tence raised laugh: "'During one OF
these gusts of fervid enthusiasm which
occasionally sweeps over the House., ~ said
hrtNnn n a MT Nyn
England and Spain, the House on yester-
day undertook negotiations with the
Southern Confederacy for peace. i made
q few remarks and everaI gentlemen were
anxious to give me instructions"
He was proceeding to explain that
while he was speaking about Democratic
opposition to the retirement of General
Garnt, General Wheeler challenged his
statement, when Mr.. Crisp interrupted
and insisted that Mr.. Boutelle should
state his question of privileges first and
make his speech afterwards.
Mr.. Boutelle replied that IL Mr.. Critsp
would possess his soul in patience he
would hear bis question OF privilege. The
speaker ruled that Mr.. Boutelle was pro-
seeding in order. ~ hat settles it," said
Mr.. Crisp as he [ ok his seat
81 hope the gentleman will have full
range" asii Mr.. Wheeler, who was pre-
pairing to reply to him.
81 object,' interposed Mr.. Miles (Dem.,
Md, , "to giving the gentleman from
Maine free rein in anything"
Mr.. Boutelle proceeded to read from
the Congressional Record to show that
Mr.. Wheeler had altered the record so as
10 say that "many Democrats voted for
the bill to retire General Grant," instead
of "sll the Democrats" as the official
notes show them. AS matter of fact,
Mr.. Boutelle said, the vote on the Grant
bii was 1893 ayes to 20 nays.
Mr.. Owens (Dem., Ky.,) attempted to
prevent Mr.. Boutelle from rebearsing the
history of the bill and the speaker
thought that branch of tho matter was
not important, but MIR. Boutelle made
his point by stating that IS OF the 20 votes
against the bill were cast by ex-ConfeI-
crates. He moved that the record be cor.
rected, and, without objection, 1t was SO
ordered.
Wheeler meantime was clamorinp for
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 ex-
planation for the change made i'm the
record that he thought that n gentleman
I'm revising his remarks had the right TO
make his statement conform to the truth.
The House then, on motion of Mr..
Boutelle, went into committee OF the
whole and took up the considera ton Of
the naavl appropriation bill. Mr.. Bou-
telle, the chairman OF the committee,
made general statment In explanation
of the provisions OF the bill, In the course
Of which he spoke in eloquent terms Of
1.en new navy.