The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-18
sIBLEY's WARM DEFENSE.

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Congress should Uphold Rather
Than Attack . Public Omcial :.
Doing His Duty.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-When the
house met today It decided by vote Of
III to 13a that the census bill reported by
from the committee on appropriations,
reported the pension appropriation bill.
The house then went into committee Of
the whole and resumed reconsideration of
the urgent deficiency bill under the Ave
minute rule.
sulser Attacks Gage.
sulxer took advantage OF the first OPP
portunity to cali attention to the resolu-
ton he introduced few days ago for in
vestigating the charges against Secretary
Gage In connection with the deposit Of
government funds In national banks. The
committee to which It had been referred
had not acted.
IT understand" said 6ulxer, ''that the
boss Of the Republican party says these
charges are all rot and that the presi-
dent does not want them Investigated and
that nothing more is to be done with
these grave and serious charges
II that was so. he continued. the minor
ity was entitled to know 1t. There was a
remedy, he declared, and that remedy
would be applied. The secretary of the
treasury was charged by reputable news
papers and reputable men with a distinct
violation of the law. He proceeded to
discuss the sale Of the New York custom
house ito the Standard OIL trust"
sulzer continuing, quoted the words of
President Mckinley while a member of
congress, in criticism Of the course Of
Secretary Fairchild in keeping govern
ment funds in national banks.
Suizer concluded with the statement
that Secretary Gage had made the hu-
initiating confession that he is and was
the mere agent Of the Standard OIL trust.
sibley Defends the Secretary.
He was followed by sibley, who said
that while he had supported Sulzer for
the leadership of the house and the Sec
ond place on the Democratics national
ticket. he could not agree with him in his
attack upon Secretary Gage.
Sibley said he had been requested to In
troduce a resolution of investigation. He
had replied that in the hour of peril the
secretary Of the treasury had acted with
promptness and prudence and, in his
opinion, congress should at all times up
hold a public officer striving to uphold the
honor and credit of the business interests
of the country. (Republican applause.)
Sibley said he had read the answer of
Secretary Gage to the house resolution
and he considered It full. free and frank
statement, which completely justified each
and every transaction. A confiagration
had started in New York, he said. and It
required courage and will to stop the
panic before it had extended itself.
IT had rather see the country prosper
ous,' said he than to see my party sue
ceed." Republican applause)
He expressed regret that the Democratic
party should thrive upon depression, and
again praised the secretary of the treasury
for coming to the rescue OF business in
behalf of the country. He rejoiced in his
action. (Renewed Republican applause)
No One Behind the Charges.
Grosvenor, of Ohio declared that both
Secretary Gage and the administration had
been indicated. The committee on rules
had not acted on the Sulzer resolution be-
cause the charges the resolution contained
were simply re-hash of the same charges
to which Secretary Gage had replied.
II all authorized ny the GudlTIHdu UL Ju6
committee on rules to say that no one has
asked to be heard in furtherancc of the
resolution Not the most humble citizen"
said Grosvenor, would be placed upon
trial upon mere allegation. No one has
come upon his own responsibility to affirm
the truth of the charges"
Clark Attacks Sfbley.
Clark ironically commented upon Sibley's
speech. Before he had known of Sibley's
change of front he had written an article
urging him for the Democratic vice presi-
Dental nomination. He did not wish to
withdraw his personal praise, but he did
desire now to withdraw the nomination
Qaughter), and confer it upon Suffer- who
had always been faithful to Democratic
principles. democratic and Republican APP
plause.) He recalled the time when Sbley
had told him he had been ostracized social
ly and commercially because he had sup
ported silver at 16 to l.
1--WE hailed him as the hero, said Clark,
because he was the only Democrat north
of the Potomac and east of the Mississip-
pi who stood true to the Democracy of the
Mississippi valley. Now he wins the ap-
plause Of those who are hostile to every
principle of the Democratic faith. His
place In this house is on the other side of