The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-03
BRIBERY HEARING CLASH.
DIsCoRD At THE INQUIRY INTO
CHARGES At HARRISBURG.

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--
Resolutions Adopted involving q Course of
Procedure DistRatsful to Anti-Quhy Men
Probable Appeal to tho House to An
null the Action Taken by tho Committee.
HARRISBURG. Pa. March 2.-The ~Investl-
eating Committee named by Speaker Farr to
INQUIRE into the charges OF bribery and cor
rupt solicitation In connection with the passage
o. the McCarrell Jury bill through the House
met tonight. The session was short and the
adjournment was taken until after tho meet.
ing OF the House tomorrow. There were sew
eral spicy eIchan ges among the members
that caused n ripple OF excitement in the crowd
that thronRed the committee room in antici-
patton OF disclosures.
The committee is strongly favorable to Sem
ator Quay In its composition. As originally
constituted IL was composed o. Messrs. Kreps.
Chairman. and Voorhees,. Republicans. both
OF whom are supporters OF Senator Quay. The
Democratic members were Mr.. Tighe and
Capt. Skinner. who are credited with Quay
sympathies and who voted in favor OF the Nc
Carroll bill. The only anti-Quay Republican
IL Gen. Koontz. who introduced the resolu-
tions calling for the Investigations and Gre
atipG the committee. Can't. Skinner has since
resigned owing to the public cIamor over his
appointment and the resurrection, Of alleged
occurrences In his pas career in the Iegisla-
ture. The vacancy has not yet been filled.
TIL first tilt came almost Immediately after
The members had been called 70 order. MI.
Voorhees, offered n set OF resolutions for the
government OF the committee in its proceed
1ngS. The intent OF these was that all charges
should be filed in writing. and, that no one
should be allowed. to testify until the accused
Another provision was that at least twelve
hours notice shall be given to the Chairman
OF the names OF persons against whom charges
~ must objeet to these resolutions" said
Gen. .Koontz. They. will cause delay and de-
lnAN uAru ptNr In Tor Fltnh fhia nnTn m 1nA
was named" MIR. Voorhees, declared that. in
fairness to the accuser and accused. they
A brief but heated passage followed between
these two members. Let me. tell you now and
addressing the Chairman. that II the resolu-
tions are adopted | shall he compelled to go
duty" He was interrupted bV the Chairman.
marks to the matter under discussion, and to
act with becoming courtesy"
II am acting with more courtesy than that
compelled to publicly apologize on the floor Of
the House for CHASING those who opposed
him as q band Of political cutthroats." was the
reply. Il anticipated this very course by the
committee tonight" continued Gen. koont2.
edge this afternoon was then reliably Informed
that Speaker Farr had sought the influence
Of certain ones among the anti,2uay leaders
to favor postponement OF any action tonight.
threat that the quorum would be broken if
Again there was confusion as these point
blank statements fell like hot shot IN the camp
OF the enemy. Chairman kreps said he. was
pledged by his oath OF Office to a full and fair
his purpose in presenting the resolutions.
Then give me the privilege. of calling my
witnesses who are here in this room and
ready to swear TO the amount OF money. Of.
1ered them to support this McCarreil bill"
moi b Justice II s9 sIPToIHG my position in calling
Chairman Kreps replied that II the resolu-
tions were adopted he would have to abide by
che rules which they prescribed. Gen. KoontZ
tomorrow. The resolutions were adopted.
Gen.. Koontz only voting in the negative.
Resolutions covering some further.details were
also introduced by Mr.. Tighe and adopted.
The committee then adjourned until to-mor-
It Is confidently expected that, some action
will be taken by the House tomorrow either
Diminishing the present committee or %increas-
ing 1t by the addition Of new members. They
would be named by the House. .Criste OF North
cumberland. Smith of Cameron and EnRle of
LyccminR. three Democratic members OF the
House, were present In obedience to a sub
poena issued by Gen. koontz to-day.
Senator Quay left this afternoon for Wash
{s understood to be his intention to go to
Florida.for a fortnight or longer. Before leav-
ing town the Senator and Gov. Stone spent half
an hour in the company OF Congressman Sib-
ley at the Bolton House. where Sibley is now
confined to his room threatened with pneu-
monfa.. Col. Guffey. the Democratic leader.
also left the capital this afternoon. going to
philadelphia and thence 10 his home In Pitts
burg. Before leaving the city he expressed his
entire confidence in the loyalty of the Demo-
tempted under any condition to support Sem
ator quay.