Evening star., 1901-02-12
House Chaplain Prays That 1t May
Inspire and Be an Example.
HEATHLETFER STRICKENFROM RECORD
Senate Adopts Bill Authorizing a
Grant Statue in Washington.
PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION

| The chaplain Of the House, in his invo-
cation today, referred to the fact that this,
was the anniversary of the birthday of Lin
COIN the emancipation. and prayed that his
me might be an example and inspiration to
tnose now living. As soon as the journal
was read and approved the struggle over
| the question Of expunging from the Record
| the anonymous letter rejecting upon MIR.
| Perry 8. Heath. which was read at the in
| sugation of Mr.. Sulzer (N.YD during the
| exciting session Of yesterday, was resumed
| Inc letter appeared In the Record this
morning Mr.. Knox (Mass.) called up the
alleged infringement of the privileges of
the House. He claimed that the matter
was before the House in two ways: First.
as unfinished business: second, as a matter
appearing In the Record over which the
House had control. Mr.. Knox said he ad-
mitted that member might upon his own
responsibility charge any sort of offense
against man not a member of the House
and not be liable to be called to account
yet he contended that when a member intro
duced paper the House obtained jursdic-
tion He argued that If, for instance,
scandalous document. indecent or OBJ
scene document We're introduced into the
proceedings. no one would contend that the
House would not have the power to strike
1t from the Record.
Mr.. bailey Favored Expuncfnc
He even thought 1t would be within the
power of the Speaker, without a motion. to
order the document stricken from the Rec
ord But he would not ask that He would
ask the House to adopt a resolution which
he sent to the clerks desk. The resolution
recited the occurrence of yesterday, and
dn ected that the document be stricken
from the Record.
Mr. Bailey (Texas) asked Mr. Knox to
withdraw the preamble of the resolution
Il. myself said he, ''intend to vote TO
strike this anonymous communication from
the Record. tRepublican applause)
Mr. Knox consented to strike out the pre-
amble and was about to demand the pre-
N:ous question, but at the request of Mr.
Sulzer, yielded five minutes to the New
York member
Mr.. Sulzer's Characteristic Speech.
Mr. SulZer said he was at a loss to under
stand the anxiety to protect the character
of Perry s. Heath, who was not a member
of the House. while his party associates we're
exulting delightedly in the attack upon his
personal character and reputation II stand
mere he continued, land say that no man
In this House can charge me with any Of
1ense Whatever, or with any misconduct
My life is an open book, and when the gen.
tleman from Pennsylvania yesterday at
tackled me felt justified in smoking out the
cniprft who was responsible for the charges.
And l did smoke him out" Mr. Sulzer
shouted with arm upraised:
Il had the courage to stand here yesterday
and say that l was responsible for every
word in that letter If Mr.. Heath thinks
there is anything libelous or scandalous in
that letter. L will not plead my constitu-
tional privilege. will plead the truth of
the statements.
The Letter Expunged.
Mr.. Knox's motion 10 expunge the letter
from the permanent record was then adopt
ed without division.
Mr.. Tawney (AIinn), chairman of the
special committee on the st. Louis ex-
position. then tried to get up the expo
sition bill. but Mr.. Cannon, chairman
of the appropriations committee, declined 20
allow 1t to come up until the pending ap-
preparation bills We're out of the way and
accordingly, the House went into commit
tee of the whole and took up the considera-
ton of the army appropriation BILL 1t
was arranged that the general debate
chairman of the military affairs COMMITTEES,
made brief explanation. The bill carries
S117,994, $40, $12,35J, 1873 less than the est
mates. Mr. Slayden (TeXas), a member OF
the committee, devoted thirty minutes to
discussing the enormous growth In recent
years of bills to remove the charge of de-
sertfon against soldiers of the rebellion
During the present Congress of the 200
private bills referred to the military COM
mittee, 1900 were TO remove the charge of
desertion.
Mr.. VIM. Alden Smith (Ndich) defended
the old soldiers against the sweeping
charges made by Mr.. Slayden.
Mr.. Boutell Qll) and Mr. Clayton (AlaD
also contended that there were many meri-
torious cases among the claimants for the
removal of the charge OF desertion. Each 8
cited cases.