Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-25

oubject as question of privilege, all the
members might with equal proprfety claim
the same right, interposed, saying that in
the event that ali OF those one hundred and
eigEty-odd thousand miles OF excess were
to be explained away, no further business
could be transacted during the session. But
the House voted that it was question of
privilege and Mr. Sawyer went on. He COM
platned that he had been unjustly treated
as Robert G. Schenck, who lived not far
from him, had been charged with only
$40 ITO relieve my colleague from the
dilemma responded Mr.. Schenck with
n ock mas!Iantmity, Il will swap with
him. upon which Mr.. Sawyer subsidized
amid roars Of laughter.
But Thomas ]. Turner of Illinois wss
quickly in the breach made by Mr. Sawyer
His excess was the sum of $99S.40 being
only the trifie of SLIGO less than Horace
Greeley's annual salary on the Jeffersonian
newspaper few years before. He con-
ctuded an uncommonly abusive speech by
Offering series of resolutions, directing the
committee on mileage to inquire whether
any member had received more mileage
than he was entitled to by law. and, If SO,
what amount; to report by what rule milo
age was computed, by whom the claim was
allowed, and upon what evidence; authoriz-
ing the appointment Of a special committee
to inquire into the Tribune article, and re-
port whether the allegation of fraud against
members was true or false. and lastly en-
powering this committee to send for per-
sons and papers. Mr. Turner demanded the
previous question. Dut subsequently With
drew the motion. Alexander Evans OF
Maryland thereupon renewed 1t, but the
House refused to second 1t, and in the midst
Of a tremendous scene of excitement Mr..
Greeley proceeded to justify the expose. He
spoke with admirable temper throughout,
claiming for the article that it did not
charge that members had taken any IL
legal excess, but declaring that as they
had 1t In their power to change the law so
that the basis of computation would be
the shortest mail rQute' and not the "uSu-
ally travelled route" they were derelict In
their duty If they did not take such action.
He was, of course, interrupted repeatedly,
but held his ground against all corners.
At the conclusion of his speech Abraham
Lincoln moved for division of the ques-
ton and all the resolutions except that
which empowered the special committee to
send for persons and papers were adopted
But this did not end the mileage Ques-
ton. There were two or three more field
Days in the House upon the subject On
January ., lSi9, Mr.. Embree of Indiana
moved an amendment to the civil and diplo-
matte appropriation bill in committee Of
the whole embodying Mr.. Greeley's idea.
An exciting debate was precipitated, in the
course of which Mr.. Greeley was as usual
handled without gloves. Mr.. Root of Ohio
made lively speech which kept the House
In a roar. He was opposed to Mr. EN-
bree's amendment and proposed to fix the
mileage muddle by voting each member a
dollar or so while on the Journey to WASH
!ngton. He admitted that the present rate
OF mileage was enough In some instances.
bat would never make any man rich. One
might do very we'll as to mileage, where
he could get on q boat at Brownsville and
float down the river to the mouth of the
Mississippi AS for himself, he came around
by the lakes and New York, because that
was the most comfortable route. land there