The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-06-17

been induced to appropriate money
which has gone to agents and attor-
neys, when we supposed we were
sending relief and support only TO
the superannuated and WORKOUT
preachers, their wives, widows and
orphans.
For myself, Mr.. President, can
only say that relied on the posi-
tive and unqualified statement of
Mr.. Stahlman, one of the active
friends of the measure, and to whom
it is said to have been paid, that he
was giving his aid and services in
this matter because both his wife
and himself were members of chat
church, and he assured me, as he
did several other Senators, notably
Senator Turley, my colleague, Sena-
tors Bacon, Clay, Lindsay and 9TH
ers, that he was getting no cOmpen-
sation, fee or reward fOr his servi-
es, and also rely on the telegram
| sent to Barbee d Smith on March
Z and the answer thereto.
II have quoted the several assur-
ances given in debate at the time of
passage of the bill to emphasize the
extent of the deception that it seems
has been practiced upon the Senate.
To be deceived and misled by the
confidence reposed in the character
of these book agents is extremely
mortifying. That modification is
also shared by the great church
which has been wronged out of so
large part Of this charitable fund.
IL entertain the hope that some
explanation will he forthcoming
which will relieve Messrs. Barbee &
Smith from the responsibility which
now rests upon them for having
given the assurances that they did
to the Senator from Florida (Pasco)
and to myself that "neither 40 per
cent. or any other fee" was to be
paid out of this appropriation to Mr..
Stahlman, and that those gentlemen
have not been the paymasters of the
eXOrbitant fee reported to have been
paid out of this fund. The whole
amount of the $2SS, 600, as | am in
formed and believe, was paid to Bar
bee q Smith, the representatives and
agents of the publishing house of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and not to any attorney, and since
this ugly criticism has arisen they
should, in my opinion, promptly and
without reserve on their own motion,
show what has become of every dol
lar Of the fund, showing who got any
part of it, for what and how much.
They owe it to themselves aud to the
great church they represented in this
transaction.
II will not be party to shield a
wrong if | know it, and neither wilt
Senators who favored this bill, but
believe in all cases fraud and deceit
should be exposed, plucked out by
the root and left to witIer under the
searchlight of truth. "Hew to the
line aud let the chips fall where
they may is good Oil honest mot
to "
Senator Bate then read his mes
sage to Barbee & Smith, sent the day
before the bill passed the senate, as
follows:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March Z,
1898 -Barbee d Smith, Methodist
Publishing House, Nashville, Tenn. :
Telegraph day answer to Senator
PascO's letter to you Saturday as to
Stahlman having fee of 40 per cent.
or any other fee in case of payment
of your claim. would like to hear
from you; also, in my judgement, II
true, it will endanger the bill.
WIN. b. BATE.
"NAsHvILLE, Tenn, March 7, 1893
Hon. VIM. b. Bate, Washington
ID. c.: We wired Senator PascO early
this morning as follows: The state
} ment is untrue, and you are, there
fore, authorized to deny it.
BARBEE d. SMITH.
, 81 believe that these agents (Bar.
: bee d Smith) occupy the position OF
trustees in this fund and there may
, be a charge of wasting the estate.
: 1t is trust fund, and l am not sure
: but that court would put in its gen.
erous and equitable hand to relieve
! them, | want the matter exposed.
2 Let us go to the bottom. AS / said,
, 'hew to the line and let the chips
fall where they may