Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-03
uOusE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MISSISSIPPI CONTESTED ELECTION
The question being on the amendment moved 6y Mr.
Howard 10 the resolution moved by MIR. De as heeto-
fore stated c,.,
escord the reporter and which was pronounced by the
Chair 10 be out OF order.
rhs Sneaker then proceeded 10 state reasons for re-
yersinu The decision hastily made by him the spur OF
the moment last evening, and declared mat DIVISION OF
The question (as then proposed by Mr. Underwood 70 pe
in order under one of the rules Of the House, ahoug
that rule confcted with one laid down IN Jefferson
Manual the House having decided that where the TWO
came in collision, the latter must give WayD ana ne
therefore reversed his decision of yesterday.
Mr. Howard modified his motion Of amendment made
last 50 as to present it in the following form
..Resolred That Sergeant S. Prentiss aad Thomas j.
"Word are not member, Of the 18th Congress"
Mr. Underwood then took the floor in opposition TO The
amendment, and went at length into an argument 10
show that the action Of the House, at the called session.
furnished no good ground for setting aside the regular
constitutional election in Mississippi in November.
After Mr. Underwood had finished his remarks in vim.
dication OF the validity of the election OF Members OF
Conrress held in Mississippi on the hrst MONDAY IN
November 1887 and the day thereafter and Of the con-
seouent right Of Messrs Prentss and Word TO 'eals IN
the 25th Congress, and in opposition 10 the amendment
of Mr.. Howard,
MIR. Cilley, of Maine, replied. ms remarks , %els
bassed upon the hypothesis that in November las there
was de acto no vacancy in the Mississippi representa-
ton in Congress. an
Mr. Robertson moved 10 strike out the word "not'
>'~
resolution definvey affirmative of the right OF Messrs
Prentiss and Word to seats in the 25th Congress.
Mr. Tiinghast went at some length into defence OF
the validity Of the November election and in reply to the
remarks Of Ciey.
Mr. Mason, OF Virginia, reasss:cd his position as
sumed the other cay, in favor OF sending back The elec
ton TO the People OF Mississippi
Mr. Menifee responded 10 those positions ut some length
Mr. White, of Indiana was in favor OF tie PROPOSE.
ton 10 send back the election. He The vote
of the House. at The extra session. having operated as
a fraud upon the people of Mississippi, and as having
nrevened them from acting unembarassed OF the NO
vgmbcr election He was therefore for sending back
the election and granting them Tin legal terns) "a nc"
trial. Without payment Of COSTS He could not how
ever as Of present advised, vote Tor the proposition OF
Mr. Howard inasmuch as, by the connection OF lne
amendment wllbe resolution as II sianos tnere "ouio
be- neoaon of the claims Of both the sets oil Claimants
But when il should up as an InoePehoen' Pior
son, he should 90 for it. Nor did he 'hnx ina. nus OIL
fcu,y would be removed by DIVISION OIL ule question:
He closed by moving that Lie House 90 10" eul'u'n
Mr. Graves took the aocr, and yielded Il to alr.
NJ Pe,rikcn rose to ofdeI and asked It the claimant
h,J r;ob, 10 address the House again?
The S,pnke, decided that he had such right ana
n, p,enss proceeded in reply To the arguments here
,f,e sdduced in favor Of the proposition ,noTed oy
Mr. Howard and sustained by MIR. Mason, OF Virginia.
and others.
The House then adjourned