The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-07

make . statement that the Governor
ship Of Louisiana was still a matter
OF doubt, and still in suspense, was
to place the house in n wrong position.
He thought that the Clerk would have
been perfectly justified in tearing up as
waste paper the credentials signed by
McEnery, He trusted that the gentle
man from New York did not wish to open
up the whole Louisiana case on this ques-
tion.
Mr.. Wood replied that the papers in
the case Of all members from Louisiana
were themselves sufficient answer 70 the
gentleman. For II there was no possible
question US to who was the Governor Of
Louisiana, why was 1t that all members
from that State deemed 1t necessary to
obtain the certificate Of MCEneryy They
deemed II important to come here clothed
with certificates from each Governor. He
did not propose to raise in this inquiry
the question as to who was or was not
Governor OF Louisiana. The question to
be determined in the first place was
whether Morey presented credentials that
entitled him to u seat on this floor.
Mr.. Wheeler said he had trusted that
the question as to who was Governor Of
Louisiana had been set at rest, at least
until the next general election, and re-
GREETED that for u paltry advantage il
should again be raised. Not only had
Kellogg been recognized as Governor Of
Louisiana by the President Of the United
States and by both Houses, but also by
the people OF Louisiana and by solemn
statute passed by It's Legislature at Its
extra session held last April. Besides
this man Spencer had absolutely fore
closed himself by having made himself
contestant.
Mr.. Frye-Is there on record since the
election held in 1879 in Louisiana a
single official act Of McEnery except this
single one Of signing these certificates?
Mr.. Wheeler-Not one.
Mr.. Wood remarked that the question
settled last session had been confined en-
tirely TO the Legislature and not to the
election Of Governor.
Mr.. Lamar said that the Clerk Of the
House had made known to the House the
existence Of u controversy not only with
reference to the merits Of the question,
but with reference to the prima iaCia
right TO u seat In the House, and the
House was in possession Of the fact that
there was such u controversy. 1t might
be q very simple and very ineligible
question, but still II was a question OF
law as to whether this certificate was
signed by the proper Governor or not. II
had been Crystalized into regular par.
liamentary law that question involving
a prlma iacia right a. we'll as the merits
OF the case should be referred to the Com.
mittec on Elections.
Mr., Blaine asked Mr.. Lamar whether,
in the history OF the HOnse, he knew OF
any case where the credentials or pseudo
credentials OF n member, signed by pre-.
tended Governor who had not been re.
cognized by any department Of the United
States or by his own State, had been re.
ferred TO committee. He trusted
that his friend Q.amar), with his we'll
known moderation, would restrain his
party from placing on record such an
outrage, not only on State rights, Of
which he LAMAR was such an exenplar
and advocate, but on the rules Of common
deCGncy ns well.
Mr.. Lamar remarked that the question
whether one Of these pretended Governors
was really Governor or not was the very
question 10 be referred TO the committee.
Mr.. Blaine-Then / understand the
gentlemen to mean that this Is the formal
opening Of the whole Louisiana case, and
not merely n question IA to the seat Of n
member.
Mr.. Lamar-The gentleman simply un-
derstands thata question which the Clerk
OF the House has remitted TO the House
whether or not II involves the other
question, a. to the validity OF the Gnber-
material incumbent OF LOuisiana) Ia u
question which ought not to be decided
informally, on the mere seating Of mem
ber, but ought to he formally referred to
n committee, and grayely and maturely
considered.
Mr.. Blaine asked whether It was not a
matter,oi history that last year, by what
was known as the Louisiana adjustment,
II was perfectly understood that the
House declaring Kellogg TO be Governor
was final settlement, and whether the gen.
tleman from Georgia (Mr. Stephens), the
very bone Of the Democratic party, had
not voted with the Republicans nvowedly
that II might be n final settlement? Did
kiS honorable friend (Mr. Lamar) come
here now TO trample on the other side the
agreement and to reopen the whole case ?
Mr.. Lamar admitted that there had
been a compromise last session, and that
compromise did acknowledge Kellogg as
acting Governor Of Louisiana. He hoped
that the gentleman from New York
Wood would, acting on the suggestion Of
the hour modify his resolution by emitting
the preamble and merely referring the
matter TO the Committee on Elections
with instructions 10 report on the prima
facia case. .
Mr.. Wood modified hiS resolution nc.
Cordinly.
The Clerk Of the House, with the per.
mission Of the House, made the following
statement: The controlling fact which
In my judgment required me 10 accept
the Kellogg certificate was that prior TO
the making up Of the roll, on the 4th Of
March last, there had been recognition
by the House Of Representatives Of
Wm. Pitt Kellogg "a Governor Of
Louisiana, and at that time he was
deiacto Governor OF The State. In view
Of this recognition by the Executive
branch Of the Government, by all the de.
partments Of the Government and by that
part Of the Legislative branch Of the
Government to which the Clerk is re.
spohsible, felt myself absolutely In.
cluded, and therefore insisted that the
names be returned by Governor Kellogg
without any reference whatever 10 the
political aspect Of the case.
After further discussion, participated
in by Messrs. Holman, Banks, Cox and
Jones, the previous question was second.
ed. A vote on the main question was
ordered, which resulted as follows yeas,
1876; maya, 1874. The question was then
put on the resolution, and II was re-
jected.
Mr.. Blaine then moved that Frank
Mofey, having presented his credentials
signed in due form by Governor Kellogg,
be sworn in IA a member.
Mr.. Randall suggested 10 strike out Of
the motion that part. recognizing Kellogg
as Governor.
N. Blaine said that he was perfectly