The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-15
BOOK CONCERN SCANDAL.
Alleged Lobbying TO Be Investigated
by Senate.
SENATOR LODGES RESOLUTION
ADAPTED WITHOUT DIVISION.

Measure to Incorporate International
American Bank Discussed-Bili Appro-
priating Money to Pay Behring Sea
Claims Passed Both Houses.
Washington, June 14.-At today ses-
sion of the Senate the resolution Oh INF.
Lodge of Massachusetts directing that an
inquiry be made into the disposition
made of the Methodist book concern
claim, which was paid recently by Con-
gress, was adopted without division. In
the course of the debate upon 1t, Mr..
Morgan of Alabama charged that the
resolution was insincere and had been
drawn for political effect. This statement,
Mr.. Lodge denied vigorously, saying his
only purpose in Offering the resolution
was that all the facts concerning the mat
ter should be laid before before the peo-
pie to the end that more care should b.
exercised in the future. He hoped that
as result of the proposed Investigation
a general law would be passed to
eliminate the professional lobbyist from
the legislative equation.
The measure to incorporate the inter-
national American bank was under DIS
cussion for three hours, the debate elicit
ing some interesting facts concerning
the foreign trade of this country. Final
| action was not taken on tho bill
a House joint resolution appropriate
| ing S474, l51 to pay the Behring sea award
was adopted. The appropriation is car
ried in the sundry civil appropriation bill,
but that measure is still in conference
and the award has to be paid on the 10th
| inst.
Washington, June IA bill reported
from the military affairs COMMITTEES by
Mr.. HawIey of Connecticut, providing
that advertisements for supplies needed
by the war department. may be inserted
in the newspapers of this city, was
passed.
| A bill to authorize retired list for en-
listed men and appointed petty officers
Of the United States navy, was passed.
The measure provides that enlisted men
and appointed petty officers in the navy
may be retired after 80 years service
provided that the applicant for retire
ment unless he be physically disabled,
shall be at least so years of age.
BY the terms of the bill service
during the war of the rebellion shall
be considered as double time in comput-
ing the length of service.
| Mr.. Allison called up joint resolution
passed by ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS appropriate.
ing $473, ISL to pay the Behring sea award
Mr.. Allison explained that precisely the
same provision was contained in the sun
dry civil appropriation bill, but as the
award had to be paid on June 10th, anu
as it was manifestly impossible to So
cure the enactment of the sundry civil bill
by that time it was necessary to present
q special measure to carry appropriation
| The resolution was agreed to.
| A bill was passed authorizing the Presi-
dent to nominate Lieut.. Commander r.
| M. u. Brown, now on the retired list, to
be commander on the retired list.
Mr. Lodges resolution directing the
claims committee to inquire into the dis
position made of the money paid to the
NJ. e. church south. for it's book concern
| claim, was laid before the Senate, and
Mr.. Pasco of Florida, took the floor. In
the course of defense of his position in
the matter, Mr.. Pasoo declared he had
not acted as an agent in deceiying the
| Senate, as charged yesterday by MIR.
Chandler. While he feared that the dis
| closures made concerning the disposal OF
tde money We're true, they had not yet
b EN- established by proof and until they
mad been it would be useless for Congress
to even consider what action 1t should
take.
'sIt would suffice us now.' said Mr..
/ Pasco, ITO ascertain the facts in this case
And l think, too, there is an obligation
upon the high church authorities to CON
QUOT an investigation of the action of its
officials 80 L. .e
that they will take such action as will
place them and the church in the proper
light"
Mr.. Chandler again disclaimed any in
tention of doing injustice or of injury
the feelings of Mr.. Pasco. In exceedingly
amusing speech, replete with good ma
ture, Mr.. Chandler said instead of stat
ing yesterday that Mr.. Pasco was the
agent by which deception was practiced
upon the Senate, he ought to have said
he was the medium Of deception. that
being the word which Mr.. Pasco had
used himself.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, did not ap-
prove OF the resolution, although he pro-
posed to vote for it. In serious tone he
discussed the resolution in all of its
phases. He said that only TODAY he had
been informed that a claim of 1888 600
paid recently by Congress to the estate of
John Roach, had been lobbied through
Congress, ana uhaG the lobbyists had re-
oeived so per cent of the money.
This may be mere fustian, y said Mr..
Morgan.
There may be no truth in it, but I
want to bring it to the attention of the
Senate. Let us strike line and follow
IL out I've become a medium now.
Ii we are to commence this matter of in
vestlgat1ng claims let us go to the bottom
or it. Let us investigate the Roach
.rf - 10 n a
amendment to this resolution, but l
denounce it as insincere. 1t is an effort
10 scandalize great church in another
part OF the country and 1 believe the
EFFORT Is made for political purposes. -
Mr.. Lodge, author of the resolution, re-
piled that he had not the slightest idea
OF rejecting upon the church, for which
he had the highest respect BE desired the
exposure of the deception to be made be-
cause of the future good such exposure
might do. He regarded the claim paid
as a just one and had no idea OF endeay