The times., 1898-07-02
THE TIMES IN THE HOUSE.
1t Figures COnspicuOusIy in Legis-
latfve Proceedings.

The Times was made remarkably con-
spicuous in the House yesterday 1t is
getting to be a daily practice for men,
bers to quote The Times.
Mr.. McCleary of Minnesota arose to
question of privilege yesterday and read
the article in Thursdays Times, headed
THE Cloven Hoof Sho yn,'' setting forth, on
the authority of d member of the House,
that the report on the banking bill was
plagiarized from the Bankers Journal.
Mr.. McCleary went into a detailed ex-
pianation as to the preparation of that
report. He said that on the 2lst of May
every member of the House received from
Mr.. Jules Gethridge a circular indorsng
a synopsis of the banking bill; that Mr..
Guthridge called on him (McCleary) and
said that many members were desirous of
sending out the synopsis for distribution
among their constituents, but they OBJ
jected to paying postage; that If the
synopsis could be printed In the Record,
thus emitting it to be franked, the OBJ
ject would be gained
Mr. McCleary added that Mr.. Guth-
ridge prepared for him synopsis of the
bill which he intended to read on the
In the Record. He was prevented from
reading it and finally the subcommittee
OF the Banking and Currency Committee,
having charge of the banking bill
Messrs. McCleary, Hill of Connecticut
and Fowler of New Jersey-held an in
formal meeting on the floor of the House
in relation TO the report. Mr.. Hill de-
cilned to participate in the preparation of
the report, saying two men could do 1t
three ia rnIln n
better than two. Therefore he would
leave the preparation of the report to
Mr.. McCleary.
Proceeding with his statement, Mr.. Nc
Cleary said he asked Mr.. Guthridge IL
he had any objection TO his making use
OF the synopsis prepared by the latter
and which had been kept in Mr.. Nc
Clearys desk, in the report on the bill.
Mr.. Guthridge freely gave his consent
and the synopsis was thus used, making
four pages of the report.
Mr.. McCleary declared that he had not
seen the issue of the Bankers Journal
from which ii was alleged the report was
taken. He declared that he prepared the
report and labored diligently upon it. He
was very severe in his denunciation of
Mr.. Fowler He said the allegation of
plagiarism was false, totally false, and
that it was inspired by a member OF the
House, one Charles Newell Fowler of
New Jersey. He regretted that Mr.. Fow
Ter was not present. If he were present
he (McCleary) would employ much more
vigorous and direct language in denounc-
ing him and his conduct. He called at
tention TO the fact that reports were sub
mitted every day that were not prepared
by the members presenting them. He was
informed that Mr.. Fowler would be back
in the House next Tuesday Mr. McCleary
said he earnestly hoped that Mr.. Fowler
would attack him or make some reply
TO his statement If so he would deal
with him as he deserved.
Mr.. McCIeary declared that he had
acted in good faith and without either
thought or purpose OF misleading any
body.
A member called Mr. McCleary's atten-
ton TO the absence of Mr.. Fowler He
replied with vigor and emphasized that
he was aware of that fact and that he
hoped TO meet Mr.. Fowler face TO face
very soon
Mr.. McCleary's statement on the floor
of the House regarding the authorship
of the report bearing his name upon the
bill to reform the currency and banking
systems served TO bring into public notice
the really disgracefuI row that has been
in progress among the Republican mem
Currency 1t Is difficult to reach a correct
understanding of rhe circumstances sur
rounding the case, in view Of the con-
! Trajectory statements, but It IS believed
that the facts as they occurred, are
/ fairly set forth in the following nara
/ ton:
/ After the subcommittee Of Republicans,
4 consisting of Messrs. McCleary, Mitchell
/ and Prince. had completed the structure
I Of a bill, nine members OF the committee
! voted that it should be reported TO the
! House Chairman Walker voted with the
! distinct understanding that he should op-
1 pose the bin in the House.
Gen. SpaIding's vote was secured with
the understanding that before action OF
! the measure was attempted. it should re-
ceive the sanction of the Republicans
/ The preparation of the report was in
trusted 10 another subcommittee con
4 sisting Of McCleary, Fowler and Hill. II
] the meantime synopsis of the bill has
been prepared by the secretary of tht
! indianapolis monetary commission. Their,
was great pressure brought TO bear upor
/ the subcommittee drafting the report
! Air. McCleary said. 10 secure the publ
cation of the synopsis and il was finally
agreed that it should form the first par
I of the report upon the bill. 1t had beer
the understanding that the report wher
completed should be submitted to tn,
| Republican members of the committe;
for approval before it was filed in tn,
House. The pressure on Mr.. McCleary
l..
mitting it to four of the eleven Repub
lican members of the committee he pre-
sented the report 10 the House on Jun,
| II, obtaining consent for the minority |,
file their views within ten days, where
upon the row broke out.
Mr.. Fowler had the action of the foul
members referred to reconsidered, and az
order passed TO have the report with
drawn from the files of the House 1t wa:
ordered that a new report should be pre-
pared by subcommittee, of which Mr.
Fowler, instead of Mr. McCleary, should
be chairman.
However, a committee report on th'
files of the House can be Withdrawn onl,
by unanimous consent, and this was no
asked.
Another day rolled around and Mr.
Mitchell took hand, He had a griev
ance in the fact that the bill reported wa
designated as the Hill-Fowler bill. H
moved that the vote by which the repor
had been ordered withdrawn pe reconsid
cred, but as there was no quorum pres
ent definite action on the motion wa
not taken.