Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-21
WILL HE RESIGN
An Impression Prevails Among CoDgressmen That LilIey
 Will Tender Resignation
NOT BE ACCEPTED


 sions of the special committee which has been investigating the charges of Representative Lilley Conn.) that members of the house had been im- 1"operly influenced in connection with
 uDmarine torpedo boat legislation, that Mir. UHley had violated his obli- gations as member and had acted in bad faith with the committee and con- tempt of the house, were sustained by the house by vote of 157 to S2.
 Five hours of the session were de- voted to the case, four of which were consumed in reading the report. The Connecticut members joined in voting against the resolution by which the house adopted the conclusions of the committee as it's own. Mr. Williams (Miss) declared that MT. Lilley was guilty of treason, for which, he said, he should be expelled. He presumed that the reason the committee did not carry its report to a recommendation to that end was because Mir. Lilley was at his home i'll and unable to be present to defend himself in such proceeding.
 It was noticeable fact that the five members of the special committee Messrs. Boutell Olmsted Stevens, Brousard and Howard-sat together throughout the proceedings and that none of them submitted any remarks in connection with the report.
 Some of the Democrats went to Mi nority Leader Williams and urged him to introduce resolution for the expul- sion of Lilley, but he declined to do so. There has been some talk on both sides of expelling Lilley, but there is not the least likelihood of its being done.
 It is considered certain, however, that Lilley will be socially ostraciZed when he returns to congress and will find life unbearable. Many congress men believe that, knowing the fate that awaits him, he will resign rather than face it. Not since the first con- gress met has any member been so un- mercifully fayed in an official docu- rc".
 When the committees conclusion was read that MT Lilley violated his obligation as a member of this house in formulating and urging before this committee the ground less charge against MT Lord," the house broke out in applause. The committee made no recommendation for the censure or expulsion of Mir Lilley. Representative John Sharp Williams, the democratic leader, sug- gested an explanation of this when he said he presumed it was due to the fact that MT Lilley was sick and absent.
 As soon as the reading of the re- port was completed Representative Payne. the republican floor leader, offered resolution reciting that the report lis hereby approved and the conclusions of said committee are hereby. adopted as the conclusions of the house of representatives" which was equivalent to finding Mir Lilley guilty of acting in bad faith, mak- ing false statements and otherwise going contrary to his obligations as a member of the house.
 The debate was opened by Mir Higgins, Mir Lilley's colleague. who spoke for the Connecticut delega- tion. The delegation. he explained, did not intend to antagonize the res olution, but would not vote for it. For himself he could not accept the of the committee as cor rectly representing the attitude of his colleague toward the commit- tee on the investigation.
 During the whole of the reading of the report and the brief debate there was almost absolute quiet on the floor. No member )f the com mittee of investigation said a word, leaving the house to render its judg- ment upon the committees report, which was unanimous. being signed by Messrs Boutell. Stevens and 0lm- sted. republicans. and Howard and democrats.
 Leader Payne allotted time to all who desired to speak in Mir Lilley's behalf, or rather to give reasons why the report should not De adopted now. The whole matter was disposed of with a solemn dignity that was very impressive.
 In the final vote the members of he Connecticut delegation voted against the findings of .he commit ee. while members of the naval con- nittee. which felt that they were in- rnlved in a measure in Mr Lilleyfs .harges about submarine Boat legis- atiOn. merely answered a noneom- initial Present" when their names were called.
 Mir Lilley's illness apparently had ] marked bearing on the committees indings. Under the resolution l. Idopted yesterday the house declares 1 lr Lilley guilty of bad faith. Of vio- ] ating his obligations as ! represen- l ative. of knowingly making a false I tatement and of other reprehensfhle 1 onduCt. but does not impose any I 'eualty. leaving to Mr Lilley the de ermination Of his own course in the ace of the condemnation cf his coi- sagues.
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