The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-28
STRICKEN FROM THE RECORD.
Criticism of Mr.. Loud by, Mr.. Fitx-
gerald EXpunRed.

gerald Expunged.
Mr.. Loud of California, Chairman of the
Committee on Postoffices and 1 ost. Roads,
arose in the House yesterdaytto d ques-
ton of personal privilege, called forth by
a criticism of Mr. Loud by Mr. Fitzgerald
of Massachusetts,, appearing in Thursday S
Record"
Mr.. Loud said that under ordinary cir
cumstances he would not detain the House
with question of personal privilege, but
l think ii my duty to read from the Rec
ord remarks by the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts (Mr. Fitzgerald). which it
would appear had been delivered on the
floor of this House, but which remarks
the reporters notes do not contain"
At this point Mr.. Loud read fram the
Record as follows:
Mr. Fitzgerald OF Mas aehusetts-The
question of personal privilege, Mr.. Speak
er, is that the gentleman from California
(Mr. Loud, Chairman Of the Committee
on Postoffices and Postroads, made an
agreement here yesterday in the presence
of this House which he has violated. In
the discussion yesterday regarding the
amendment introduced by him and passed
by the House repeating the eight hour
law, he said he would offer no objection to
the committee going back to that para
graph.
The amendment was passed under
Misrepresentation, owing to the statement
made b. the gentleman from California
that it was acceptable to the letter car
riers. This was not a true statement OF
the facts, as ! afterward found out, and
in order that the House may preserve is
rights in the matter / asked the gentle
man from California to return to this para
graph. This he agreed to do, but he has
since violated that agreement / think,
MIR. Speaker that the House should take
some notice of this action and at any rate
allow the members to consider that amend
ment anew.
Mr.. Loud said that II that charge
had been made upon the floor of the
House ii would not have been so reprehen-
/ sible, but he would hold up the reporters
notes which Mr.. Fitzgerald had erased that
he might insert what he did not say. but
which he probably felt some of his con-
stituents wanted him to say. He had no
fear as 10 the verdict of the House when
it came to a matter of decision between
his word and that of the gentleman from
Massachusetts. but Mr.. Fitzgerald was a
| member of Congress and some people
thought that this fact stamped him as be-
| ing man of considerable Importance.
The House does not take the gentle
man seriously, and, of course. do not, -
continued Mr.. Loud Personally he causes
| me no more discomfort than fly on my
nose. For a long time he has been per-
! forming on my back like monkey on tie
! back of an organ grinder. This may have
helped him in getting votes
| Mr.. Loud read from preceding issues
| of the Record TO prove his position,
and asked that unanimous consent be given
/ that Mr.. Fitzgeralds remarks as made
upon the floor, and as officially reported,
should be printed in the Record" di-
| rectly above his remarks as hethad him
self reported them.
As the motion was about to be put. Mr..
/ Fitzgerald got the floor. He accused Mr..
Loud of "a very low level of conduct. "
/ and said that he would not descend to
such degree OF discourtesy as had been
! exploited by the gentleman from Califor-
MIA. He made several complaints of dis
courtesy against SIR. Loud, charged that he
| had committed a dishonest action" and
had placed himself beyond the pale of
| the rules of this House" Mr.. Fitzgerald
from the Speaker that he might. make the
charges which he had inserted in the
Record" But he claimed to have the
right to change his remarks.
The Speaker ruled otherwiEe.
Mr.. Fitzgerald then asked unanimous
consent TO withdraw the remarks as they
appear in the Record
The Speaker put the question, but there
were many noes, it apparently being the
purpose of many members to attempt TO
vote Mr. Fitzgerald's remarks out of the
Record
Mr. Richardson of Tennessee made a
plea that this should not be done. and ask
ed that Mr. Fitzgerald be allowed 10 with
draw his remarks. He did not. he said, de-
fend Mr.. Fitzgerald, but there was no need
TO place a stigma upon him.
Mr. Loud asked that unanimous consent
be given to Mr.. Fitzgerald, and this was
ordered.