Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-01
from the Second District Of Louisiana

Mr.. Epson then called up the con-
tested election case Of Menard (the
negro) versus Hunt; and Mr.. Maynard
asked the unanimous consent Of the
House, that j. Wells Menard, who holds
the certificate of election, be sworn in as
the sitting member, and pending the
consideration of the question, Messrs,
Wood and Kerr objected, and Mr.. Up
son moved to suspend the rules for the
purpose of allowing each Of the contest
ants fifteen minutes to address the House
in his own behalf. The rules were sus-
pended and Menard made his appear
ance about the center of the Republican
place in the House.
Mr.. Woodward suggested that Menard
should speak from the Clerks desk.
Laughter from the Democratic side
Mr.. Van Horne, Of New York, objectei
to this.
The Speaker said, 1.-THE gentleman
having no seat of his own on the floor
can speak from any place he pleases. :
Menard then addressed the House, re-
ferring to the fact that Mr.. Hunt had not
taken his testimony within the time pro-
vided by the act He said that if Mr.
Hunt did not know the laws of Congress
he was very poor subject to be sent to
Congress. The point was deemed good
one, and caused some amusement He
then went on to argue the details of the
question, in an easy, quiet and good
humored style, which attracted attention,
and the apparent sympathy of some of
the members. After speaking about
quarter of an hour, he obtained leave to
print the remainder of his remarks in
the Globe. After he had resumed a seat,
many members approached and con-
graduated him in a friendly manner.
Mr.. Maynard suggested that as the
action of the House in the case of Mann
aud James showed that there was vac
ancy in the district and as the gentle
man (2) who had just addressed the
House (Menard) held the certificate,
had, therefore, prima facia right to the
seat and to be sworn in, and allowed to
hold the seat, and pending the legisla-
ton. be asked the unanimous consent of
the House to offer such motion.
Mr.. Epson declined to yield the floor.
Mr.. Chandler, Of New York, appealed
TO Epson to let Maynard make that mo-
ton.
Mr.. Upson declined to do so, adding
that if he did, the gentleman from New
York would be found voting against it.
Mr.. Chandler persisted in his effort to
have the motion rsade.
The Speaker said the gentleman from
Michigan was entitled to the floor, and
must be protected ia his rights.
Mr.. Chandler intimated that the gen.
tlemen on the Republican side were
always protected by the Speaker, while
those on the Democratic side were not.
The Speaker said the gentleman from
New York was not just, for he had his
own rights protected by the Speaker on
every occasion.
Mr.. Chandler said be had appealed to
the Speaker when the question ofveracity
was passed between members, and that
the Republican members had been pro-
tected and the Democratic members had
been punished.
Speaker: The remarks of the gen.
tleman from New York are not respect
full to the Chair, nor are they true"
Mr.. Chaddler: "Very well, sir, will
leave that question to be settled by the
records"
Mr.. Epson then went on to argue in
support of the action of the committee,
and, after further discussion, the House
proceeded to vote on the various PROPOSE
lions. The vote was first taken on the
resolution of the minority Of the Com
mittee on Elections, declaring Hunt duly
elected, and it was rejected--yeas Al,
nays l36.
The vote was then taken on Psine's
admitting Menard to seat
10 the House, and the amendment was
rejected 81, nays 100.
Mr.. Dawes then moved that the whole |
subject be tabled, which was agreed to |
without division, and resolutions were |
hen offered to pay James, Hunt and
Menard
The question was then taken on the
and they were agreed to.
Senate.-Mr. Fesssnden presented the
credentials of Hannibal Hamlin, Senator
elect from Maine.
Mr.. Howard called up the joint resolu-
ion for more effectually insuring the
faithful completion of the Pacific rail-
road, by Withholding the Government
ponds till certain conditions are complied
With, which, after some discussion, was
postponed
Mr.. Stewart offered resolution re-
luesting the President to transmit forth |
With to the Executives of the several
States a copy of the constitutional
amendments, so as to secure an early |
Mr.. Davis objected and the resolution
went over.
The bill to strengthen the public credit |
was then taken mp, and Mr.. Davis pro-
posed substitute and advocated it.
A Card from Colonel Brownlow.
IL hnd hann my aarnaak hnna hat cir