Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-22
CHARGES IN THE HOUSE.
Acrimonious Turn to the Loud Bill
Debate.


In the House yesterday afternoon Mr..
Mcpherson 0owa), in support of the Loud
bill, denounced the lobby which, he said,
was infesting the corridors and galleries of
the House, carrying on a corrupt campaign
against the measure
During the course of HIS remarks Mr..
Hill Comm, rising to question of privi-
Iege stated that literature in opposition to
the bill was being distributed on the floor
of the House by the pages. He demanded
that the rule should be enforced.
The Speaker directed the employees of the
House to cease distributing the documents.
Mr. Mcpherson, proceeding, attacked Mr..
Ientz, creating something of a sensation
by characterizing him as the attorney for
the lobby.
Mr.. Lentz was not on the floor at the
time, but Mr.. Richardson, the minority
leader, promptly called Mr.. Mcpherson to
order.
Mr.. Mcpherson withdrew the word "at-
torney" and was allowed to proceed.
Mr. Burke (TeXas) advocated the passage
OF the bill. He said he had never heard
more discussion over a subject that de-
served so little this. He was satisfied
that not one objection could be raised to
the bill that would stand the test of inves-
tigatlon.
Mr. Snodgrass (Tenn) and Mr.. Vandiver
(Mo) opposed the measure.
A tnlS 1uncIure MI. lISHlZ tJulOJ, TlSIliS
to question of privilege. replied to the
structures of Mr.. Mcpherson earlier in the
session. saying that he was surprised that
a member, even with the limited expert
ence in the rules of decency enjoyed by the
gentleman from Iowa, should have charged
him with being the attorney of a lobby in
connection with the pending bill. He pro-
ceeded 10 explain the circumstances under
which he had brought into the House the
books and pamphlets complained of, and.
in conclusion, said he did not know how
he could protect himself from charges based
upon such fiimsy grounds.
But | want to say in the gentleman S
teeth" he said. that the gentleman who
charges me with being the attorney of a
lobby is undoubtedly himself the attorney OF
the express companie~-"
Here Mr.. Payne (N.Y) interposed to call
Mr.. LentZ to order
Later Mr. Mcpherson got the floor. say
ing that he had at the time withdrawn the
Objectionable remark, but that the speech
of Mr.. LentZ, when it appeared. would dis
play the facts which had called 1t forth
He said it would further show that Mr.
I.entz was in Geographic correspondence
with those laborng to defeat the bill.
Mr.. LentZ explained that he had tele-
graphed for information regarding the
amount of postage paid by publishers. That
was all.
Mr.. Bingham Pa.) supported the bill
which, he said, he had hitherto opposed.
Philadelphia, he continued, sent out 90 per
cent OF the ODJecuOllable lHdtter colupidlleo
of as an abuse of the second-class privi-
leges.
The other speakers were Messrs. Coch-
ran tMo), Neville tNeb3 against the bill
ard MessrS. HeatwOle (Minn.) and Iatmel
$50 in favor of it.
The Senate amendments to the urgent de-
ficiency appropriation bill were non-concur-
red in. and the bill sent to conference
Messrs. Cannon, Barney and Pearce were
appointed conferees.
At o'clock the House adjourned.