The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-09-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Cn.e Of Justice.


tice towards Mr.. Lilley that In the sub
marine investigation he was not APP
pointed on the special committee. las
prime mover of the inquiry 1t is urged.
"he was entitled TO the chairmanship
of the committee" 1t will be remem-
bered that when Mr. Lilley appeared
before the committee on rules on Feb
ruary 25 his position was not simply
that OF member asking for an inves-
tigatlon; II was complicated by
charges duplicating fellow members,
made by him In the Washington Post,
To these charges he added others be-
fore the committee on rules Surely
to be at the same time accuser and
Judge is. In the language OF the house
manual, "a case contrary not only TO
the laws OF decency, but to the funda-
mental principle OF the social compact,
which denies to any man to be Judge
In his own cause"
How In equity could Mr.. Lilley have
had any such expectations Hardly
from presidents. In the historic case
cited in the Parliamentary Precedents
Of the House" on questions "as to
proper procedure when the course OF
an investigation before committee
duplicates member the Hon. John
Fairfield, who moved for the special
investigating committee. was not him
self appointed on that committee. This
omission was In accordance with Mr..
Fairhelds own request as proper be-
cause of his own strong feeling In
the case
The propriety Of such omission was
attested By the house In case which
presents too remarkable n parallel 10
( the Lilley case TO be overlooked. The
! Congressional Globe OF July s, 1854
| gives the discussion on bill to extend
Colts patents. In the course OF this
discussion, MIR. Clingman Of North Car
olina states that he has no doubts large
4 sums OF money are being offered, not
necessarily to members. but to dear
/ friends OF members, to induce them
either to vote or abstain from voting
on the bill. When asked for his rea-
sons he states that. II the house shall
| at any time raise a committee to In
vestigate and call on him, he shall be
ready TO answer When asked fol
names, Mr.. Clingman answers, "I.e'
the gentleman move for committed
to Investigate, and I shall very readily
give him all the Information ! possess
on. the subject" Later he adds u
! had too favorable an opinion OF mem
bers OF the house to believe that they
had been operated upon by these APP
proaches" and he never meant such
| intimation. But this thing of lobby
ing was so boldly done that deemed
It my duty to call the attention OF
the house TO It," Another stated that
there was not member whose repu.
tation was not involved In the impu.
tat.on. 1t Is humiliatlrg to have sucl
insinuations In newspapers. but now
that they have been made from thu
floor II Is due 10 the American con
gress to investigate Then Mr. Letcher
who had said that nobody represent
ing Mr.. Colt or the other side hat
anything TO say to him In the matter
moved for special investigating com
mittee. The resolution passed. and a
the next meeting the speaker announc
ed the names OF the seven members
with Mr.. Letcher as chairman and Mr.
Clingman as third member Mr.. Cling
man then rose and said: II rise Il
call the attention of the house to VIVA
4 has usually been treated as a question
Of privilege. AS the clerk read ovel
the journal, I observed that my name
was placed upon the Investigating com.
mittee raised on Saturday last. 1t vii
be remembered by the house that
expressed very decided opinion tha
certain facts and allegations we're true
Although my opinion ought not, o.
It would not, yet I think 1t would b,
more satisfactory to others that som'
other gentleman should be appointed
in my place. inasnuch as | might b,
looked upon as standing In the light o
a prosecutor or one who has made tn,
charge" Mr. Clingman was excused
by vote Of the house. 1t seems hardl,
necessary to add that at the opening
Of the investigation he was willing
witness, performing his promise to tn,
house without excuse.
My own conclusion Is that Mr.. Cling
man pursued the one honorable course
II ! may make the application to tn,
Lilley investigation, the speaker die
the only fair thing In not making Mr.
Lilley a Judge where he was an ac
cuser, In expecting to be made
member Of the investigating commit