Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-04
HASLILLEY MADE GOOD
House Will Moi Make a Martyr of Him, But May Teach Him
 a Lesson.
Especial to the Democrat. )

Washington, D. C., April 4.-An md of the congressional inquiry into the submarine boat scandal is in sight. Oddly enough, while the re- suit probably will not be satisfac- tory to Representative Lilley of Connecticut, who instituted the in vestigation, it may rebound to his advantage.
 It was perfectly plain from the inception of the inquiry that politics cut very large figure in it. Rep resentative Lilley is an ambitious person. He has his eyes fixed on the governorship of Connecticut and it is not unlikely that he may real ize his ambition.
 It became evident to him, how ever, in the early stages of the in quiry, that he probably had gone farther in the making of statements about the Electric Boat company case than he ought to have gone. While 1t is evident that, from the start, he has not had the sympathy of the house committee, which is conducting the investigation, it is true, also, that he was not prepared to subs antiate some of the state ments he made. It is well known in Washington that not only the Electric Boat company but other corporations, too, have maintained men here whose business it was, and is, to influence leg .slation. Lilley' statement involving members of congress, however, was pretty seri- ous and evidence taken before the committee clearly exonerates the members against whom reflections were cast Indeed, MT Lilley him. self, has withdrawn any statements of his regarding the culpability of his fellow members of the house. It is likely that his action in with drawing the statements will avert any drastic action against him by the house of representatives.
 Representative Lilley maintains that he has not been given fair show before the Investigating com mittee. That, however, is purely a matter of opinion. He has had am- pie opportunity to substantiate his charges if there ever were a good foundation for them. In that re- spect he has not made good"
 It Is fact, however. that the peo- pie of his own district and state are standing squarely behind him and that the result, whatever 1t may be, will be of advantage to him politi- cally. He has received hundreds of commenting his course. They have ,c ,comending his course. They have come from republicans and demo- crats, alike, and he is feeling very comfortable over the situation. He says that if the house should expel him from membership, the governor of Connecticut would call immedi- ately a special election and that he would be returned to the house by practically unanimous vote.
 Of course, the house does not propose to make a martyr of MT Lil- ley. He will not be expelled. What will happen to him, however, will be worse than expulsion. He will be placed in a position where he will have to take just what the house chooses to give him and the likeli- hood is that it will be a bitter dose. Neither republicans nor democrats enjoy such comments as Mir Lilley has permitted himself to make. The honor of the house is dear to all and it is certain that the members will not allow such reflections as Mir Lilley has made to go unwhipped It will not matter, either, what his district or state may do. The house of representatives is power unto itself and it will take care of its own affairs in It's own way.
 The indications are that the pend- ing investigation will result In, a lesson to some men who are given to talk before being assured of theii facts.