The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15
METHODIST CONCERN MONEY.
SENATE ADOPTS Resolution FOR
AN INQUIRY.

Senator PnscO Expresses the Opinion
That the High Officers of the
Church Arc Under Moral ObIiga-
ton to Also Conduct An InvestiGR-
tion-Senator Chandler Reiterates
His Denial of An Intention to DO
the senator From Florida an In
Justice.
Washington. June H.-At ts-day's ses-
sion of the Senate the resolution of Mr..
Lodge Of Massachusetts providing for an
inquiry into the disposition made Of the
Methodist Book Concern claim, which was
paid recently by Congress, was adopted
without division.
Mr.. Pasco of Florida, in the course of a
defense of his position in the matter de-
clared he had not acted as an agent in de-
ceiving the Senate, as charged by Mr..
Chandler. While he feared that the dis
closures made concerning the disposal of
the money were true, they had not yet
Beeen established by proof, and until they
had been it would be useless for Congress
even 10 consider what action 1t should
take.
1T will be sufficient for us now" said
Mr.. Pasco, ito ascertain the facts in this
case. And 1 think, too, there is an OBJ
legation upon the high church authorities
to conduct an investigation of the action
of some of its officials, and l have the
sincerest belief 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 to, or injuring
the feelings of Mr.. Pasco.
In an exceedingly amusing speech replete
with good nature, Mr.. Chandler said in
stead of stating yesterday that Mr. Pasco
was the agent by which a deception was
practiced upon the Senate, he ought to
have said he was the medium" Of the de-
ception, that being the word which Mr..
Pasco had used himself.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama did not approve
of the resolution, although he proposed 10
vote for 1t. In a serious tone he discussed
the resolution in all its phases, in the
course of which he said that only to-day
ne had been informed that a claim of $685.
900 paid recently by Congress TO the estate
of John Roach had been lobbied through
Congress, and that the lobbyist had receiv-
ed 50 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 us strike line and follow
it out. I've become a medium now If we
are to commence this matter of investiga-
ting claims, let us go to the bottom of it.
Let us investigate the Roach claim, too.
I'm not going to offer an amendment to
this resolution, but I denounce il as insin-
cere. 1t is an effort TO scandalize a great
church in another part of the country,
and I believe the effort is made for politi-
cal purposes"
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts, author OF
the resolution, replied that he had not the
slightest idea of rejecting upon the
church, for which ne had the highest re-
spect. He desired the exposure of the de-
ception to be made because of the future
| good such exposure might do He regarded
the claim paid as a just one and had nc
| idea of endeavoring to secure its repay
ment. He pointed out the fact that had
| his amendment to the claim been adopted
it would have cut off a professional lob
/ byst and prevented a scandal He hoped
/ that the claims committee after consid-
ering the resolution would bring in a draft
| of a general law which would put an end
| absolutely to the work of lobbyists and
! claim agents.
Mr.. Bate of Tennessee and Mr.. Morgan
! gave this suggestion their cordial appro-
val.
without division the resolution was then
| adopted.
A Senate bill to provide home for aged
! and inhrm colored people was passed
The measure to incorporate the lnterna-
tional bank was under discussion for three
| hours, the debate elicitlng some interest
ing facts concerning the foreign trade oil
this country Final action was not taker
| on the bill.
A joint resolution appropriating $475 Isl
10 pay the Boring Sea award was adopted
| The appropriation is carried in the sundry
civil Appropriation bill. but the measure is
stil in conference, and the award has tC
be paid on the 10th Inst.
The Senate, al SIS, went into executive
| session and soon afterwards adjourned.
COMPANY OF IMMUNES.