The Washington herald., 1909-02-23
RAINEYSPEAKSAGAIN
Declares His Panama Charges
Founded Oh Facts.
BURTON MAKES SHARP REPLY
Asserts Statements Are False, but
Later Vithdraws Language, to
which OHense Is Taken-LOvering
Again Defends Cromwell, and
Cochran Wants Investigation.

Declaring thar he meant not 10 attack
the canal, but those responsible for what
he termed an Infamous, outrageous
DEAL Representative Rainey, OF Illinois,
yesterday made his third speech IN the
House. in which he asserted the friends
Of William Nelson Cromwell had not dis
proved the charges he made against him,
but had heaped against his accusers vii
ihcations. misrepresentation, and abuse
almost without parallel IN the history Of
Congress"
Representative Burton. who recently
defeated Charles P. Taft for the United
states Senate. replied 10 the Illinois men,
Der. and charged that he had resorted 70
'slanderOUs fslsehoods" in making his
accusation against some Of the most
prominent men OF the United States.
Mr.. Rsiney raised a violent protest
against the language used by Mr.. Burton.
who promptly withdrew it, stating that
he was sorry for what he had said.
but adding. 7 was driven TO it by IN
usual circumstances
Bitterly Attacks lowering.
Mr.. Rainey's address contains several
bitter attacks upon Representative Low
ering, OF Massachusetts,, who recently de-
Tended the cause Of Cromwell on the floor
Of the House Mr.. Raiaey said ne did not
expect any OF the men he accused Of
graft 10 agree with him as 10 his estimate
OF them He said that Mr.. Lowering had
recently admitted that he was associated
in a business way with William Nelson
Cromwell. and that he was not surprised
that he should offer a defense. he said
that the only defense anybody had made
OF the men he accused was 10 praise them
from their own personal standpoint, ard
that nothing had been presented to snow
that he had not made correct statements.
In this connection Mr. Rainey said two
courses presented themselves 10 every
member Of Congress. One. he said. was
hard and demanded exposure Of graft
and a fight against persons in Office. He
said the other was easy and often pre-
scented a chance for making money after
retirement. He said that sometimes the
chance 10 make money was presented
while the members were still In Congress.
says He Got Facts from Record
Mr. Rainev refuted the charges that he
/ had obtained any information from ex-
convicts or blackmailers. He said that
/ all Of his information had been obtained
| from government records. and he quoted
a good deal OF the testimony Of Mr..
( Cromwell before the Senate investigating
| committee. These questions we're asked
/ by the IaIe Senator Morgan. Of Alabama
/ and had to do with Mr. CromwelTs &C
tivities in Panama. Mr. Rainey wound
up his speech by declaring that the re-
public OF Colombia knows where the
S4O.OO0,O00 paid by the United States e
/ the French syndicate went. He said that
I Colombia had representatives at ali Of
/ the conferences between Panama and the
/ United States He condemned the action
( Of Panama being forced 10 make an an
nual payment 10 Colombia, and said this
intimated there was something under
cover.
Representative Lowering. followed Mr.
! Rainey and insisted that ne tell the
names Of his informants. He said that
the speech OF M Rainey contained moth
ing but charges. and was totally laeking
IN evidence.
Old Scandal, Says Burton.
/ Mr.. Burton reviewed the Panama sitUa,
ton, and said that II was an old scandal
I He wound Up his remarks by declaring
that Mr.. Rainey should either prove OF
re.ract his statements
The gentleman from Illinois seems {,
be honOred that he has been placed f.
the Ananias Club. an organization who's,
members boast Of no bust Of their found
er. Some unkind persons outside viii sa,
that Mr. Rainey IS a paragon among tn
eligibles for the first vice presidency"
Representative Cochran followed Mr.
Burton, asserting that since the charge
had been made By Nj Rainey q thor
ough investigation should be institute,
by Congress. and II the accused men ar
found guiltless some action taken to re
pair the wrong