The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-14

Lect upon Mr.. PaSco'S honor. The reSolu-
morrow
An act authorizing the appointment of a
nonpartisan commission to collect informa-
tion and to consider and recommend legiSla-
tion TO meet the problems presented by Ia
Dor, agriculture and capital was passed.
Inc resolution offered last week by Mr.
Lodge, directing the committee on claims
to Investigate the payment of the claim al
lowed by Congress to the book concern of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was
laid before the Senate Mr.. Bacon, speaking
briefly on the resolution said he had not the
rem1test suspicion that anybody who was
working for the claim here had any pecun-
lafy interest in its passage. He had had a
conversation on the subject with Major E
b. Stahlman, who had received 30 per cent.
of the claim paid, ana the impression left
upon him was that not dollar of the mon
ey was to be paid to lobbyists. Mr.. Stahl-
man. said Mr. Bacon, stated there was no
arrangement or contract whereby anybody
was to be paid a single dollar, except pos
sibly small amount for expenses.
Mr.. Lindsay related the details of con-
versation which he had had with Major
Stahlman, who had told him that fees
except possibly 5000 or 81, 500 as necessary
expenses.
Mr.. Hoar believed this was an opportune
time to say to the country that in the
presentation of just claims to Congress
there was never necessity for the employ
ment of agents or lobbyists. Concerning
the present matter Mr. Hoar said: The
representatives of the church ought at once
to pay back to the government the money
received under the appropriation and the
man who received the 100000, if he ever ex-
poets to have a shred of character to his
back, ought to give up the money!
Mr.. Chandler desired it TO be understood
that the present matter could not be set
tied by the disclaimer of false intent by
those who pushed the claim through the
Senate. He maintained that the money
ought to be returned to Congress. If Stahl-
man should refuse to relinquish his gains
the church ought to proceed against him
to recover the money. Mr.. Chandler declared
that the Senate had been grossly and out
rageouSly deceived and that the senator
from Florida (Mr. Pasco) had been the
agent unwittingly of the deception
Mr.; Pasco-The senator knows l am in
capable of deceiving the Senate
Mr.. Chander-The Senate was deceived
and the senator from Florida was the agent
OF the deception unwillingly and unwilling
~, L have no doubt.
Mr.. Bacon felt that Mr.. Chandler was do
ing an injustice to Mr.. Pasco who had
been deceived himself.
MI. Chandler replied that he had dis
claimed any unkind or unjust imputation
upon Mr.. PaScO. I'VE all were deceived
said ne; and Barbee and Smith did it,"
Il ask the senator from New Hampshire
to retract absolutely those words which in.
dlcated that was an agent of the deception
practlced on the Senate. | cannot remain
patently under such an imputation," de-
clared Mr.. Pasco. -
1 do not know what the senator can do
retorted Mr.. Chandler. IF he. can say or
so, in order that 1 may proceed with NV
speech. have stated he did not willingly
or Willingly deceive. the Senate, and that
ought to be enough
Il want the senator's words to embody
absolute facts said Mr. Pasco hotly
well, l Decline" replied Mr.. Chandler
to permit the senator to put words into
my mouth
Il desire to say them said Mr.. Pasco
that any statement that / was an agent in
the deception of the Senate in this matter
is without foundation, and the senator from
New Hampshire knows it,"
We'll, Mr.. President declared Mr.
Chandler, the truth is the exact opposite
of that statement"
Mr. Tiliman did not believe that the
money ought to be returned to the govern
ment, as the claim was primarily a just
one, but | want to say Mr., President, y
he declared, that the Methodist Church
ought to make Stahlman disgorge"
The resolution was further discussed by
Mr. Teller, Mr.. Morgan, Mr.. Berry and Mr.
Wilson. 1t finally went over until to-mor-
row.
Mr. Foraker then called up the bill for
the incorporation of an international Amer
lean bank. He stated that the bill was one
of the recommendations of the Pan-Amer-
lean Congress. That assemblage had rec
commended legislation for the chartering of
this institution. The bill was discussed at
some length, but was not disposed of.
Mr. Frye favOrably reported from the
committee on commerce a bill to provide
American registry for the steamers Union
list and Specialist. The bill was passed
On motion of Mr.. Mills the Senate then
a 4:4O p. M, went into executive session,
after which the Senate adjourned.