Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-04

journment. The leaders in charge OF the
appropriation bills were all conspicuously
in evidence. the galleries and corridors
were thronged with advocates OF belated
bills. the engrossing clerks were hustiing
about and the Speaker was constantly be-
sieged by members with private bills which
they desired to get through.
The Sale of the Yacht Enquirer.
Three members were on the floor de-
manding recognition on q question OF per
sonal privilege after the journal had been
approved. Mr.. Alexander IN. " was first
recognized. His question Of privilege was
an echo of the bitter fight now being
wagcd in northern New York against the
nomination of John r. Hazel as United
States district Judge. He sent to the
clerks desk and had read an extract from
a speech made by ex-Representatfve T. -
Mahany of New York, recttng an aneeed
Interview with Mr. Hazel In which the
latter was made to say that he had re-
ceived 5000 as a ''rake-off" for the sale
of the yacht Enquirer to the government
during the Spanish war In re1utation OF
had read an affidavit of Mr.. Hazel recount
ing the circumstances Of the sale and his
part therein. Mr.. Hazel depOsed that he
had acted as the attorney for the owner
for He swore that he knew nothing of
the $4,000 which Mr. Mahany declared he
had said went elsewhere. Mr.. Alexander
also had read the affidavit of Mr. Common.
the owner of the yacht, substantiatfng Mr..
Hazers statement. 1t also denied that
$4,000 of the purchase price had gone to
influence the appraisement of the yacht at
the price received. $4,000.
Mr.. Alexander then proceeded to explain
his part of the transaction. He had re-
ceived a request from Mr.. Hazel. asking
him to see the assistant secretary OF the
navy regarding a board of survey. He
absolutely nothing more about the trans
action. II infiict this explanation upon
the House." said he. in conclusion. 'be-
cause senator at the other end of the
Capitol had seen fit to insert the statement
of Mr.. Mahany into the Record. But l
think 1 owe the House an apology for so
doing"
The Pension Rolls.
Mr.. Miers Qnd.). as a matter Of privilege.
moved the adoption Of a resolution Of In
quiry. offered more than a week ago and
which had not been reported back from
the committee on invalid pensions. the
time within which 1t must be reported
back under the rules. The resolution call
ed upon the Secretary of the Interior for
ell reports relating to the dropping from
the pension rolls of certain widows: espe-
cially the reports and correspondence from
Special Examiners w. NJ. Goodlove, w. S.
Harris A w Room and Cen ]. H. Stibbs
and each Of them relative to said widows:
also all letters and correspondence by said
Stibbs and the commissioner Of pensions to
and with said Stibbs. Harris. Room. Good
love and each of them.
He understood, he said. that more than
thirty widows had been dropped from the
rolls upon the report of Mr.. Goodlove, who.
he was informed. had asked the widows
questions which could not be repeated In
the House. He also informed Al
though he did not believe 1t, that the COM
missioner of pensions had authorized this
Infamous line Of questions.
Mr.. Harris and Mr.. Room, he was in
formed had made special reports upon Mr.
Goodloye's action. for which both had been
reduced. The line of Inquiry complained of
had reference to the chastity of the widow
since her husbands death. Mr.. Miers had
read an interview with ex-Commissioner
Tanner denouncing the propounding of such
insulting questions to the widows of SOL
ders. by the eternal" said he. In con-
clusion. II propose that the country shall
know what truth there is In these charges"
Indefinite and UninteIIigibIe.
Mr.. Ray On. " criticised the resolution
as being indefinite and unintelligtble. The
words of the resolution were certain
widows" Who were they, he demanded to
know He insisted that names and resi-
dences should be given. He challenged Mr.
Miers to give the name of one widow.
Il will 10 the gentlemans shame" said
Mr.. Miers. amid applause in the galleries.
rs the gentleman prepared to give the
names Of the widows who have been Offend
IL" persisted Mr.. Ray.
Il will respond in my own time" replied
Mr. Miers.
The SentlemanS response" retorted Mr.,
Ray. shows the purpose of this resolution
1t Is a covert assault on the Secretary of
the Interior and the commissioner Of pen
SionS.
Mr. Lacey Gowa) said he did not pre-
sumo that MIR. Miers expected the resolu-
ton to be adopted. TT has served the
gentlemans purpose" said he. 'in giving
him an opportunity to make speech. If
any specitice charges are made they will be
investigated, The resolution should be
voted down.
The chair held that the pending question
was to discharge the committee from the
consideration of the resolution and not on
the adoption of the resolution. and that the
pending question was not debatable.
This decision cut off debate and the cues
ton was put. The motion was lost, ia to
III. This left the resolution still In pos
session Of the committee.
MIR. Grout tVt) presented the conference
report on the District of Columbia appro-
priation bill.