Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-13
56TH CONGRESS.
Army Appropriation Bill Passed
by the House.
Su'zer Renews His Attack Upon Mr..
h--Sundry Civil Bill.
The Senate Considers the Agricultural Appro-
priaiion Bill.


against soldiers. Previous to the con
sideration of the appropriation bills the
letter rejecting upon Mr.. Perry s.
Heath which Mr.. SulZer introduced in
10 the proceedings, yesterday was ex-
plunged from the record. During the
debate upon the motion to expunge,
SulZer renewed his attack upon Mr.
Heath reiterating his statement Of yes
terday that he was willing 10 father
III" statements in the letter ana declar-
ing that if action was brought against
him he would not plead his constitution
al immunity. At the close of the day
the House adopted the usual resolu-
tons of regret on the death OF Gen Al
bert -. Shaw of New York and ad-
journed out of respect to his memory.
The chaplain Of the House in his in
vocation, today. referred To the fact
that this was the anniversary Of the
birthday of Lincoln. AS soon as the
journal was read and approved the
struggle over the question of expng-
ing from the records the anonymous
letter rejecting upon Mr.. Perry :.
Heath which was read at the instiga-
ing scene of yesterday was resumed.
The letter appeared in the record.
this morning. Knox, Mass, called up
the alleged infringement Of the priyi-
leges Of the House. He claimed that
the matter was before the House iii
two ways: First. as unfinished business,
second. rs a matter appearing in the
record over which the House had con-
troll. Mr.. Knox said he admitted that
a member might upon his own respon-
sibility charge any sort of offense
against a man not member Of the
House not be liable to be called TO ac-
count, yet he cOntended that when
member introduced paper the House
obtained jurisdiction. He argued that
if for instance u scandalous document
indecent or obscene document We're in
troduced into the proceedings no one
would contend that the House would
not have the power to strike it from
the records He would ask the House
to adopt a resolution striking out the
document.
Bailey. Texas. asked to withdraw the
preamble of the resolution.
II myself said he. intend to vote
ton from the record" Republican APP
plause).
Knox consented to strike out the pre-
amble and was owing to the demand
the previous question but at the re-
quest of SulZer. yielded five minutes
to the New York member. SulZer said
he was at a loss to understand the
anxiety to protect the character OF
Perry s. Heath who was not mem
Der of the House while his party assoc
ciates were exulting delghtedly in the
attack upon his personal character Il
stand here he continued and say that
no man in this House can charge me
with any offenSe whatever or any mis-
conduct My life is an open book ana
when the gentleman from PennSyl-
vania, yesterday, attacked me Ieit
justified in smoking out the culprit
who was responsible for the charges
And | did smoke him out. Mr.. sui
ger shouted. with arms upralsed.
had the courage to stand here yes
terday. and say that | was responsible
for every word in that letter. Ill MI
Heath thinks there is anything libelous
or scandalouS in that letter. | Will not
plead nv constitutional privilege. l
will hold the truth of the statement
| have no objections TO striking the
letter from the record but serve no
tice that / am going to say everything
in that letter and | want Perry ;.
Heath to answer. If he does he will be
fit for the penitentiary. | want him to
understand that | am responsible IN
damages for what | say.
Il got that letter in the record. That
is what | was after. l am now content
to have it stricken out
Mr.. Knox's motion to eXpunge the
letter from the permanent record was
to adopt without division. The House
went into committee of the whole and
took up the consideration of the army
appropriation bill.
Mr. Slayden, Tex, member OF the
committee, devoted 30 minutes to dis
Continued on page 81