The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-13
STRICKEN FROM THE RECORD. ="
The House Takes Action ON the
SuIzer-Heath Letter.

The House Takes Action ON the
SuIzer-Henth Letter.
Chaplain Couden remembered Lincoln Day
in his opening prayer in the House yes
terday. We are reminded" he said. 'of
a strong. rugged. pure life. which, under
the dispensation of Providence. found its
way into this world ninety-two years ago.
and though born of obscure parents. rear
ed in penury. by his industry and the
nobility Of his soul rose gradually to the
highest position in the gift of his coun-
trymen. and left behind him in his works
monument which shall endure through
all ages
When the journal had been approved.
Mr. Knox arose and said: 81 desire to
call up what claim to be an infringe
ment of the privileges OF the House by the
| insertion of the letter signed "Republi-
can which appears on page 2S21 of the
Record this morning" Mr.. Knox said
the letter is anonymous and scandalous,
and making, without the responsibility of
authorship, charges OF the basest chaTac-
ter against Perry s. Heath. No member
had right to burden the Record" with
scandal0Is matter. He moved that the
Sulzer- Heath letter be stricken frcm the
Record and introduced resolution to
that effect.
Mr. Sulzer addressed the Chair, saying
in part:
Il am somewhat at loss to understand
the anxiety Of the gentleman from Massa
chusetts to protect q man named Perry s.
Heath who is not member of this House.
The position the gentleman occupies seems
somewhat anomalous and curious. While
his party colleagues and associates on that
side OF the House take an exultant and
manifest delight in attacking my personal
character and reputation, they at the same
time seem anxious to protect this man
Heath from the responsibility that should
rest upon him. l stand here, Mr.. Speaker,
to say that there Is no man in this House
who can charge me with any offence what
ever or with any misconduct.
MY life Is an open book, and when the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Ma
hon) yesterday brought an accusation
against me l was justified in my resent.
ment to such an outrageous charge. and
was justified. l think. in smoking out the
nuiprit who had brought such a
charge against me. did smoke him
out and we found it was Perry S
Heath. the Secretary of the National Re
publican Committee in the last campaign.
| had the courage to stand here yesterday,
Mr.. Speaker and say hat | was Tespon-
siblc. as / now repeat for anything con-
tanned in that letter which was read be-
fore the Committee of the Whole. | un-
derstand my responsibility in making such
q statement | repeat now that I am en-
tirely responsible for all that / have said
| waived my constitutional prerogatiye to
stand behind my right as a member OF
this body for protection and l waive it
now. fApplause.l And il Mr. Heath thinks
that there is anything scardalOus, any
thing libelOus, anything slanderous in that
letter let him sue me and | stand ready
to meet his charge at any and all times.
Let him assert that that letter is libelous
and sIanderous and l will meet his charge
at any time and in any place and prove
all the letter says and more besides.
- want to stand here, Mr.. Speaker. and
say that l will have no objection what
ever to this letter being stricken from the
Record because | feel confident that the
Republicans are going to strike it from
the Record anyway.
But | am going to say everything in
that letter myself before Congress ad-
iourns. and | want Perry S. Heath TO an
swer these questions, and if he does
truthfully he will be fit candidate for the
penltenHary. He had no eompunction
of conscience in attacking me in a polit
icaI campaign in order to change the opin-
ion of the voters of this country. and
when | tell the truth about him let him
meet the charge as a man should meet It
and not like a pig squealing under a gate"
The Knox resolution was passed without
opposition.