The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-14
Blaine Chagrined Beyond Measure by
q Sensible Ruling of Speaker Kerr,
Chicago Times Washington correspondence.

SobNfS"S'tNN'
Dec. "a Prof. Seelye, of
Massachusetts, whose election was an
nounced to him simultaneously With his
nomination, and whose campaign fund
reached jast a three cent postage stamp
used in answer to the notification OF his
nomination, was accorded the floor, and
arose to address legislative body for the
first time in his life. No beginner ever
made so strong and instantaneous an im-
preston. He was disagIeeable surprise
to the Blaine side, and an aid and comfort
to the hopeless and laundering legions Of
Democracy. In few very strongly con-
structed sentences he shamed his party
for its inhuman purpose of reviving the
hates and horrors OF the war. He charged
unfair dealing upon the author of this I'm
happy controversy, and suggested sensi-
BILE remedy for the false position 10 which
the house was placed.
Graceful and dignifed Banks, too, made
point. Jefferson Davis, as he under
stood it, had taken an oath against this
government Had he ever taken the oath
of allegiance? Was he not still under
sworn obligations against the United
States?
Mr., Hill replied that Mr.. Davis's oath
was to a government now dead With its
death fell the obligation Of the oath.
Mr.. Banks replied courteously that that
might be as Mr.. Davis construed it.
Ex- Postmaster General Regan interect-
edsone light on this proposition, by declar-
ing that Davis, when released rom prison,
like all other prisoners, was obliged to take
the oath Of allegiance to the United
States.
Here followed remarkable scene, in
which Mr.. Blaine came off less than second
best Mr. Randall made his point that he
had the right to move the previous ques
ton upon Mr.. Blaine's motion and that he
intended so to do and then to allow Mr..
Blaine an hour in which to talk.
Mr.. Blame bounced like an india-rubbeI
ball. He would take no hour from any one
1t was his by right. He read in his most
arrogant, decided manner, from rule CO.
which provides that the mover of pro
position shall have the right of opening
and reply, subject to the previous right Of
every member 20 speak upon the SUB
ject before the reply could be made
Blaine's arrogant way of appealing to the
speaker, his dogmatic request to Mr.. Kerr
to rule the way indicated for his own sake
aroused and irrepressible excitement
half the house rising to watch the contest
Members stood up, the galleries craneC
there necks, an parliamentary inquiries
rained in upon every hand. As the gave
of the speaker came down to announce tn,
decision, the curious turned toward ker
to see if he would equal the occasion
He was as calm and self possessed as if d,
were in the bosom of his family. In clear
curt, dignified tones, he indicated his de
cision. Randall was right Blaine wa
wrong. The previous question could b.
offered By others than Blaine. 1t was
right of all members of the majority ant
with it went their right to speak, aud con
sequently Blaine, the ex-speaker, wa
hard hit He cried out in vehement re
monstrance, but was rebuked by the state
ly, silver-headed Banks, himself one of thu
most successful presiders that ever ruled
in the house. Stung by thus being called
to order when the speaker was giving hi
decision, Blaine Settled back in his sea
with flushed, incredulous face 1t wa
hard for him to give up. After the dis
cussion he demonstrated and his impetuou
manner called out the loudest yes of ''or
der, from the southern side. Pandemor
ium reigned for moment, but the weigh
of al. was against Blaine. Banks sal
Kerr's decision was one of the wisest tina
had eyer emanated from the chair. Bal
clay, author of the rules of the house, ais
conceded with Kerr Swept off his fec
by his parliamentary blunder, Plaine drol
ped his arrogant manner of saying that h
would not accept the hour offered by Raj
dali, and, although he had claimed it as
right, he agreed TO take it as courtes,
This ended the afternoon.
After the adjournment Geo. F. Hoa
one of the best instructed parliamentariar
in the country, called upon Mr.. Kerr, an
said to him that he agreed with him pc
fectly in the correctness of his decision