The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-07
A TRAP THAT BLAINE SET.
FERN1NDO WOOD REOPENIN0 THE
LOUISIANA QUESTION.
An tndiscrect Move of which the Ex.speaker
Took Advantage aud by which he scored
the First Victory OF the session.

An Iudiscreci Move OF which the Ex.speaker
Took Advantage aud by which he scored
the FIRST Victory OF the session.
wAsnrNGroN, Dec. G.--Tor the first time
In neatly score Of years a Democratic majority
has possession OF the branch NJ our representa-
tive Government which reflects most directly
the sentiments of the people; vet, singular ne
II may seem, the latest expression OF public
opinion IA not In harmony with that majority.
Thls anomaly in tho political situation height
ened the Interest felt by both parties In the
organization Of the House TODAY. Tue Demo-
Gratis, of course, are hopeful that the great adj
vantage which their control OF tho popular
branch Of tho Legislature glycs them can be
made to rebound to their greatest good
therefore they are watcLful and wary. The
Republicans know that they have MI
nority representation, which, In point OF
abllltv and experience, was perhaps never
eGualled in any legislative body. They ex-
pect that tho majority, composed, ss IL
Is, In a large:degree Of new and inexperienced
men, will make many blunders, and they
ready 10 seize any advantage Of this kind which
may appear and make the most out Of II.
Thoughtful men knew that there were
one or tNo questions which must present
themselves during tho progress of the orranzl-
ton ot the HOu-e that Nuuii aGori tho ppprr-
junitN for the nemorrus to make their nrst
to .iguaiile thrir superiority ia parl ilmc ntary
ability and political s,r'tegy which they ionged
for.
After the elect n of the Speaker, the swear
ins in # Il emhcrs began and proceeded with
out a. ything ~ note occurring ultil the Rep
rrsentitiN"s VINO lake me puhlinfd uath weie
called to the bar. Thcn Garfield OF Ohio
ooJetteu 70 me Hhahl.atloh or Jonn 1upue
| Ofthe second District ot Nlr-lnii Mr. uoode had
| the regular and legal cert1c tc Of election, and
| Of 'onrse there could be no legal objection to
| his prinh idcie rieh' 10 the seat. Inc Demo.
crat- however. did not dream that "A trap was
| Land for them by this move on the part OF Gar
| field. and Mr.. GOOde stood a-ide and the quail
| ncation ~ members proceeded.
ne Loaissns dsles'ti9n presented pre-. an ano-
who claimed seats had certificates from both
Kellogg and McEnery. MQrey of the fifth Dis-
| tIict presented one from kellogk, and Spencer
claimed the seat "a representative from this uis-
| trict ON one from Mckncry. rne Clerk Of he
| House. In view II the action Of tho last
| House In accepting the compromise measure
| recommended NV the special committee
on me list witch no IL required ny law to make
| lie, however, stated to the House during the
| rol-cali tho anomaly whicn was presented In
| this case, and in aintuiatrsing the oatn 20 ths
| members rom tnat STATE Mor.Y was made to
stand aside. aud Ia. case left for the disposition
As soon as the qualified oath had been sd-
| mini sieted to all the members from the South
| New York obtained tho floor ana offered
| preamble ana resolution which raised the whplo
! ,luSiuna di0culty ~ In and brought the
/ House face T. face with this perplexing ques-
ION. tic set forth In his preambe that
one of the so-ca,ed Governors II Louisiana,
| AMI therefore the question Of VINO was entitled
| to the urima facc riVht t. the scat should b..
ref, rred 10 the Committee on t'ections. TINS
| wa the opportunity tue Repuh' an. were look
| ing for. and instantly Rlaine was on his feet
| and elected ia "A ter.e Vigorous speeoh To the
| House lccognllirs Nci'ucr. As even he pseudo
| (.oyernnr OF I.puisi,na He refe a ed To The no.
| ton Of the last House to make poiticI cntital.
| hut MS strong point. .of cou -e,wa- tnat kellogg
| wa. The recognized dc facto & ivernnr OF Iuuisi-
ana. and therefore his ccrtiGca ate gave Morey tho
| prin1 ftcc rieht ~ the seat.
without r-trctinz that In the case OF Goode
of Virginia they must take precisely tho same
| ground, the Demucrats suffered wood TO lead
| tnen flght into the tran Blanc had set for
| them. Wood was of c0urss soon bowl-d over
| hy Bi ine, and tnrn Iannr Il Mississlppi seeing
tho Tx they w-re in On the Democratic side,
cim' to tne res 90 with the u' '"nf lon - m dify-
iug W pud rc.piu'i 'n ry drop inr the preIni hic
hltus"tuer, and mus cfunk rid ot the most em-
bnnhe-ins part - the question. WOOD had
arise H. DIX UNI TT tnh'et IA MS contest with
| b'une he 10 hls temper aud made the rash
ut'l'Inti % thht thf llnht" must .rtle the h1le
LOUISIANA question Over htun IN dcto- o-mining
| VINO " a. enHiled To represent me Fith Disirrt
~ that sale ~ the turtN-flurih tuncrers.
COX 81 New prk thought ne w"ui eNtflrate
| IN majority from tue NIX into wulch IL had
| been betrayed nN NNNh - ln4lscr"il1u, tut hC,
TOO. went uo"u hei're BLAINE re- less logic.
| There was 9ut one WAY Out uow' and me great
wbJ"iiS "I thr benUcr'i- saw IT, IL was 10
| glFo M"ieb tne ArAt on lh' Nililh lncle evidence,