New-York tribune., 1913-10-31
|ESS|E WILSON PRESENT
|G|vES DEMOCRAT SPASM
|Gray. of Indiana, Calls House
Members Action morbid
Desire for Recognition"
tIRADE SILENCED BY MANN
penublican Leader, Who Leads
Movement to Buy Gift, Re-
torts in His Most Sar-
castle Vein.
From The Tribune Bureau !

Prom The Tribune Burcau.l
Washington. oct. 3c-Representative
r,lov Gray. an Indiana Democrat,
.tsrtl,d and embarrassed the House TO-
,v nv protesting against the private sub
|,rjption now being taken UP among
I.enbers to purchase wedding gift for
IFes Jessie Wilson. Mr.. Gray asserted
would refuse to subscribe So to the
snd for Miss Wilson's gift but had sent
|, check for this amount to the committee
pith instructions that il is to 80 not
yward the purchase of a gift for the
Presidents daughter, but TO the poor
.Aildren who long for Christmas pres
hts"
. The Indiana member denounced the
royement among the members to chip
|" for a present to the White House
| ride as bad taste" The practice OF
|.sking gifts to high officials and their
.amilles. he said, was prompted by "a
|.orbid desire for recognition by those in
bwer."
MIR Gray obtained unanimous consent
b address the House upon subject
mich he did not name iG advance. OBJ
lining the floor he launched into YER
6l assault on ldr. Mann, the minority
Xader. and other members who are in
barge of the subscription for Miss Will
Lns Wedding gift He demanded to
now why Mr.. Mann had suggested such
plan. The minority leader said he re-
rded as hopeless the task of attempting
4 explain to Mr. Gray the motives act
ttng every other member of the
ouse'
.5Nr. Mann was warmly appiauded. MT
fray's speech was received i'm silence, ana
kas evidently a shock TO the hundred
kembers present. practically all of whom
ave Joined in Mr.. Mann's recent unofh-
Ii and informal suggestion that the
House membership send handsome gift
the White House bride
Harks Back to Feudal Days.
Fl wish to absolve myself from any
lrt;cipation in the movement for the
turchase and presentation of costly
4 II to the Presidents daughter said Mr..
{ray in his speech, for / do not believe
lis is a fitting and proper manner for
eembers of this House to show either
heir respect for the President or for the
gh Office he holds, or to express their
bod will TO Miss Wilson and the Presi-
Ents family.
IT. regard this practice of people max
kg gifts Of all kinds to high officials and
k4mbers of their families as a lingering
.hadow coming from ancient days OF
|udaism, when fealty, homage and spe-
lal acts OF Difference were a necessary
qualification. not only of citizenship but
II the right to enjoy property, lands ana
snements. / regard this practice, which
] engaged in by many people to-day, as
knly feigning a complacent servillty IN
5rder TO attract notices prompted by
orbd desire for recognition by those
power
E"At any rate / think it is mlscon-
option Of the Office and the relationships
4 the people To their high officers.
link further that this movement is IN
kceedingly pad taste. | think II is indls-
Seet and an unwarranted assumption for
b members Of this House 10 tender TO
Is lady 4 trinket which they may see mt
j purchase.
4 Excepting a few members who are
ftre, who may be the close friends OF
#e family, or who may stand in some
ationship to il, the great body of the
|embership here individually and person
.sly are strangers and, so far as | am
Incerned, l say IL is bad taste to intrude
present without solicitation. We know
b. occupants Of the White House only
|hcially and they know us only in our
representative capacity. We are here IN
ashington in only a representative ca
] city
Resolution Instead of Gift.
while | refuse to participate in this
ovement, believe there is way
Whereby this House can properly recoG-
tize this occasion and / shall present
.Esolution, but I'm advance | wish TO an
Younce that have inclosed my check for
N to this committee with instructions
bat the s. is not to go toward the pur-
base of a gift for Miss Wilson, but is
go TO the poor children whom we see
Fery Christmas standing at the shop
indows longing for the simplest present,
|hich their parents cannot provide for
lem. In place of the trinket which these
ntlemen would present at the White
ouse 1 would offer the following resoiu-
<bn
Whereas. The marriage of the Presi-
tnt's daughter. Miss Jessie Wilson, has
.ten announced 10 be celebrated in the
&eople's Mansion, the White House, at
early date;
T" Therefore. Be 1t Resolved, That the
3embers Of the House Of Representatives.
ttend TO Miss Wilson on approaching
bis great step in life's highway, their
Fartest congratulations and we'll wlshes
symbol of the solicitude of this great
|tion for the happiness and welfare OF
ouI people
1T seems there is no other proper way
pr US to show our respect 10 the Presl-
snt Of the United States" continued the
ldiana member. He is charged as Pres
fent and Chief Executive with the ed
Ainistrstion OF the laws of this nation,
nd our cooperation in the adminstra-
on of those laws equally and impartally
sainst all the people would be fitting
. nd proper tribute. | think.
As party leader he is also charged
cooperation with the Senate and
ouse with inaugurating great legislative
forms, and ] think our cooperation
ith him In carrying out those reforms
ould be more proper and show more 0cf-
renee and respect to the White House
han we could ever hope to do by the
resentation Of a trinket, coming from
Zere Stranyers to his danrhfer