The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-15
HE is AGAINST LOBBYING
MIR. LODGE WANTS A LAW THAT
WILL STOP IT.
OTHER INVESTIGATION IS DESIRED
Mr.. Morgan Feared the Resolution was an
Effo.t to ScandaIize Great Church
in Another Part Of The
counirv


Washington, June 14.-At to-day's ses-
sion of the Senate the resolution of ATr.
Lodge (Massachusetts), providing for
an inquiry into the disposition made Of
the Methodist Book Concern claim,
which was paid recently by Congress,
was adopted without discussion. Mr..
Pasco, in the course of defence of his
position in the matter, declared he had
not acted as an agent in deceiving the
Senate, as he was charged yesterday
by Mr. Chandler. While he feared that
the disclosures made concerning the dis
pOsal of the money were true they had
not yet been established by proof and
until they had been, it would be useless
for Congress even to consider what ac-
tiOn it should take. 1T will be suffi-
cient for us now," said Mr.. Pasco, ito
ascertain the facts in this case. And
think, too, there is an obligation upon
the high church authorities to conduct an
investigation of the action Of some Of
its agents, and have the sincerest belief
that they will take such action as will
place them and the church in the prop
er light"
WI &hduhitA tGNlh AlSAlUAlltfU any Aii-
tenti0n of doing injustice or of injuring
the feelings Of Mr.. Pasco.
In an exceedingly amusing speech, re-
plete with good nature, Mr. Chandler
said, instead Of stating yesterday that
Mr.. Pasco was the agent by which de-
ceptiOn was practiced on the Senate, he
ought to have said he was the medium
Of the deception, that being the word
which Mr.. Pasco had used himself.
Mr.. Morgan, (Alabamal, did not ap-
prove Of the resolution. although he pro-
posed to vote for it, In a serious tone.
he discussed the resolution in all of it's
phases. in the course of which he said
that only to-day he had been informed
that claim of SIS, 500, paid recently by
Congress to the estate of John Roach,
had been lObbed through Congress, and
that the lobbyist had received 30 per
cent. of the money.
This may be mere fustian," said Mr..
Morgan. "There may be no truth in it.
but l want to bring it to the attention
of the Senate. Let MS strike a line and
follow it out. I've become n medium
now if we are to commence this matter
of investigating claims, let us 90 to the
bottom Of it, Let us investigate the
Roach claim, too. I'm not going to Of
fer an amendment to this resolution.
but l denounce it as insincere 1t is an
effort to scandalize great church in
another part of the country, and l be-
lieve the effort is made for personal pur-
poses"
Mr.. Lodge Massachusetts,, author
of the resolution. replied that he had
not the slightest idea Of rejecting upon
the church, for which he had the high
est respect. He regarded the claim rs
just one and had no idea of endeavor-
ing to secure its repayment. He point
ed out the fact that had his amendment
to the claim bill been adopted it would
have cut off professional lobbyists and
scandal He hoped that the Claims
Committee after consideration would
bring i'm the draft of n general law which
would put an end absolutely TO the work
of lobbyists and claim agents
Mr.. Bate CTennessee) and Mr.. Nor
gan. gave this suggestion their cordial
approval. Without division the resolu-
ton was then adopted. A Senate bill
to provide for n home for aged and i'm
firm cOlOred people was passed
The measure to incorporate the Ma
tional American Bank was under dis
cussion for three hours. the debate eli
citing some interesting facts concerning
the foreign trade of this country. Final
action was no taken on the bill.
A joint resolution apprOpriating S4T5,-
151 to pay the Behring Sea award was
adopted. The appropriation is carried
in the sundry civil appropriation bill.
but that measure is still in conference
and the award has to be paid on the 10Th
instant
The Senate at $40 D. m. went into
executive session and soon afterward
adjourned.