The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-03-28

20 the bill re-aisfricking the State Into Con-.
gressional Districts yesterday.
The Speaker ruled the motion out OF or
der, upon the ground that motion 70 sus-
pend the rules for the same purpose had
just been made and lost.
Mr. Sessions appealed from the decision of
the Chair.
And the question being put, shall the de-
cision of the Chair stand as thejudgment of
the House, the. { hair was sustained In his
decision
PROTEST OF CONSERVATIVES AND DEMO
Gratis.
The following Is the protest that the Con-
servatiyes and Democrats asked 70 spread
upon the Journals under House Rule, No.
80. which provides that:
Any two members shall have liberty to
dissent and protest against any act or reso-
luton, and have the reasons of their dissent
entered upon the Journal. This sacred
liberty was denied US.
Nh. SPEAKRR-The undersigned mem bers
of the Legislature desire TO enter this, their
solemn and earnest protest against the ac-
ton of the House on yesterday in passing
the Congressional airport comment bill.
1t will no doubt be matter or surprise
TO the people in all parts of the State TO
find on the passage of a bill OF such magni-
tude. affecting our representation IN the Ma
tional Legislature for q number OF years to
valid which we deny) that the Conservative
members of this body cast not single vote.
But when it is remembered that we are IN A
minority, and that our only protection is in
the fidelity and impartiality of the presid-
ing officer, and that that safeguard was
withheld from, and denied US. it can be
easily understood why our names do not
appear on the journals as voting-especiaIly
so, when the bill was called up out of its
regular order,in pal pable violation of parlia-
ND lzfl6h hs9 a
under the previous question. and sustained
by the Speaker, without an opportunity to
amend or discuss the merits of the measure.
The indecent haste of the friends OF the bill
for its immediate passage, and the failure of
the undersigned tO be recognized by the
Chair, together with the inconsistent and
contradictory rulings of the Speaker, con-
WINGED US that our efforts for fair and i'm
partial hearing, was mere mockery, ana
the rights of those whom we represent were
com pletely ignored, and az the mercy of
the majority, sustained throughout as they
were, by the rulings and caprice of a parti-
san presiding officer.
1t is sad commentary upon the times to
see, as was the case yesterday, in legisla-
tive body of a sovereign State. in the most
trying time. when the most sacred rights of
the minority are sought to be stricken
down, many as three members of the
majority at the same time in the Speakers
stand, armed with Barclays Digest" seek
dilemma in which they were placed because
of the inconsistent, unheard-of and arbi-
trary rulings of the Clair. Seemingly TO
make the undersigned feel more keenly
their utter inability TO protect those whom
they represent from iniudicious, unwise and
inexpedient legislation. they were cooliy
informed that they should at all times re-
ceive a fair, conscientious and impartial
hearing.
The DILL that passed the House to-day was
-
Congress prescribing the manner in which
the several States should be re-districted, AS
will be clearly seen by an examination OF
the official map of the State, together with
the statistics in the Office of Secretary of
State. 1t was announced on the last effort
TO pass the bill that it received 50 votes,
which we respectfully deny, however, this
is Just a quorum. Granting that the count
was correct, and that the bill receives the
sanction of the Senate, yet it could not have
the force and effect of law, for the reason
that w. j. willing made the 18th vote, and
he having rendered his resignation to the
Governor Internationally. il was complete
when. received by his Excellency, and il
wSaHot in his power to attach any condi-
tions- whatever to the resignation; there
fore Mr.. willing is no longer a member of
this House and cannot legally vote upon
any question.
The undersigned regret the imperative
necessity of having to complain of the con-
duct of the presiding officer of this House,
as well as the members of the party in the
majority; and whilst they appreciate the
delicacy of the position of the one and the
party demands of the other, yet they insist
that long established parliamentary usages
should be sustained, and decent regard
paid to the opinions and undeniable and
clearly defined rights of the minority.
1t will not be forgotten that a few weeks
ago, a minority report which met the hearty
approval of the undersigned, was offered
and receiUed by the House, that numerous
motionG-were made To prevent its going on
the Journals; that the Speaker decided over
and over again. that the report having been
received by the House. it must go on the
Journals; three hours later in the day the
decision was reversed and the report eX-
cluded. On the 20th-instant, the members
in tie House belonging to the majority
party with few eXceptions) left the House
to break up and prevent quorum. so as to
prevent a concurrence in the Senate resolu-
ton TO adjourn sine die. The Chair enter
tanned a motion which prevailed, to close
the doors when quorum was obtained, so
as to keep the members in. In less than an
hour afterwards, upon suggestion of
member. the doors were thrown open and a
quorum defeated by the going out of the
House OfmeInb ers belonging to the maj GRITTY
party. For the above reasons the under
signed claim that their rights as a minority
have been disregarded that the bill as pass
ed to-day, was by less than majority vote;
that its passage was contrary to the law of
Congress; that it was done in violation of
the rules governing this House, and cannot
and ought not to become a law.
And as a last and unanswerable reason
why it is not a law, we called for the read
ing of the ayes who voted for the me sures
and it was denied US, and we assert with
confidence that the name of a'member who
did not vote was counted to make up the
IS votes. Such q course of proceeding is
in the legislative history of
this country, and will serve as warning,
to incite all good people in this State to
leave nothing undone on their part TO pro-
cure Constitutional liberty and republican
government.
Respectfully submitted,
F. M, Goar Robert Lowry.