The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-14

Mr.. HAle-The gentleman eVldenuy
does not mean to sweep. Laughter on
the Republican side.
Mr.. Potter-Not with the inefficient
broom you would like used.
Mr.. Garfield took the floor, but was
met with calls to order on the Democratic
side.
Mr.. Potler-1 yield to any Of the visit.
ing statesmen. Laughter.
Mr.. Garield-l understood the gentle.
man from New York TO say, when be v a.
first up, that he was not seeking TO in
vestigate the Presidential title, but to in
yestigate the question Of fraud In the
Presidential election. Now, II that Is 90,
can only say TO the gentlemsns last
position that he will not investigate the
alleged fraud In any State unless the vote
Of that State was necessary 20 put the
President 10 the Chair is 10 conflict with
that idea. II seems 10 me that my friend
utterly changes his position now to one
OF seeking 10 get at the Presidential title.
II he Ia seeking 10 get at the question oi
fraud In the Presidential election, he
will get, believe, the unanimous vote Of
this side Of the House 10 pass his resoln-
ton provided he will enlarge 1t 10 take in
all other cases where there Is real bon
aide allegation and belief by large
body Of people Of fraud fully as
great as any thing he believes
to have existed in Florida or
Louisiana. II lie will enlarge his resolu.
tion In that way il will have my vote and
the vote OF every man on this side Of the
House (several Republicans, "eyery
man, ~; but II be selects certain narrow
limit Of alleged fraud, which, In case II
Ia true, can only revert TO the political
advantage Of one political party, and not
to the general advantage Of truth 10 the
republic, be will occupy position at
which all honorable men will grieye, to.
wit, 4 narrow, partisan, unjust inyesti-
cation. Applause on the Republican
side Therefore | ask him to let the
amendment be offered.
Mr.. Potter-The gentleman from Ohio
says have changed my ground, and that
l want to attack the Presidential title.
Not at all. Whatever may happen to the
Presidential title as result Of this inqui.
ry II does not concern me now. lhave said
and repeat that l have no purpose Of
disturbing 1t. He says II / would only
want to investigate the election frauds
the other eide Of the House would be glad
to 20 into general and sweeping inves-
tigatiou; that is, one so general that 1t |
would never eyentuate In any examina-
ton at all. But there is between these
two extremes very obvious distinction.
seek 10 investigate not with view TO
disturbing the President, or with any
other view to the disturbance Of the set
tied results. / seek to investigate frauds
which became operative, which weres sue.
cessfully carried out which were effective
and which were brought 10 our notice
by the memorial OF q sovereign State Of
oil the Union. These are just exactly in
these two States and no more; therefore
an investigation looking beyond these two
States would not be germane 10 the res
olution, and would be OF no political
effect.
Mr.. Conger took the floor, but was met
with loud shouts OF order from the Dem.
ocratic side. he, however, succeeded 10
saying that II the other aide would not
permit his side TO take any part in
framing the resolution, the Democratic
side might pass its resolution II 1t could.
Applause on the Republican side).
Mr.. Potter-The gentleman from Mich.
igan is kind. We can do that without his
permission. But II he will offer resolu.
tion to investigate any frauds that he
may allege, we will be more liberal than
he proposes, and 1t will receive the votes
OF this side OF the House also.
Mr.. Hale-I made my proposition in
good faith; the gents on the other aide
have declined Il; now let them go on by
themselves.
MIR. Butler-Will the gentleman from
New York potter allow me to add to
his resolution the words, South Carolina.
Mr.. Garfeld-Mlssissippi, also.
Mr.. Potter-No, Mr.. Speaker, for the
simple reason that no frauds in South
Carolina or Mississippi became opera-
tive. Distinction is obvious. must
now insist on the previous question.
The Republican side OF the House
resorted to parliamentary expedient Of
Withholding votes, 90 that when the ques-
ton came TO be tested by tellers there
were only 1l6 ayes TO l mono quorum
voting.
Mr.. Potter moved the call Of the House
which was made and all the Republicans
answered to their names, 80 that no
further proceedings under the call could
be taken.
Mr.. Potter asked the Speaker whether,
II the House adjourned now. this ques-
ton would come up as unfinished busi-
ness.
The Speaker said Il would remain be.
fore the House till disposed Of.
Mr.. Conger and other Republican
members OF the House called upon the
Democratic aide not TO show signs Of
weakness so early.
The taunt was answered Just as deh'
antly, and It was intimated that the
question would remain before the Houae
until there were enough Democrats pres.
ent TO constitute quorum without the
aid OF Republican votes. This will re.
auire the presence OF at least thirty more
Democrats than were in the House 70, day.
Mr., Potter moved TO adjourn, and
vote was take by yeas and nays.
The Speaker-Prior TO announcing the
result OF the vote the Chair announces
with great sorrow the death Of Joseph
Henry, an American, whose scientific at
tainments are world wide, and who has
devoted lifetime to the interests Of
science, regardless Of personal comfort or
emolument.
The vote was announced. Yeas, 49,
nays, l10.
Adjourned.