Speech #610096854

I have always understood -that dt was just as illogical and would .be as -futile to -go -to a person charged with wrong doing. whether he was a Member -of Congress or not. in -order to get the -true factsthe true. burning. living factsabout charges made against him as it would be to take a trip to heaven to hunt devils or .to hell to nind saints. t The gentleman from New York in his speech took up the immaterial things set forth in -my -remarks. and .dwelt at great length upon them. he attempted in that way to muddy the waiters. and from the way the Republicans of the -House applauded him you would have thought he was making a great hit-. that he -was declaring gospel -truths. when. in fact. he only attacked the immaterial matters contained in my speech. For instance. he asked me if Mr. Patten said there was a steering committee connected with the Immigration Commission. I had said in my remarks that there was a steering committee in connection with this commission. and when I replied that he -did. he said -that was a ire out -of the whole cloth. that he had never heard of such :a thing as a steering committee in connection Withthe -commission. and he dwelt at considerable length upon the subject and received considerable applause from the -Republicans -of the House. What -are -executive committees? Are they not steering committees directing the action of the body -of which they are a part.? Are they not created solely for that purpose? There is an executive committee in connection with this Immigration Commission. and Mr. BENNET of New York is a meniber of qt. :and when he -charged that the suggestion of a steering committee in connection with the comnilssion was false he was simply quIbbling and trying to lead the minds of his hearers away from the real truth upon the subject. Why. sir. the .Committee .on Rules -of this House Is nothing more nor -less than a steefing -committee. that -directs the procedure of -the -House.