The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-14
Last Nights Dispatches.
THE FLORIDA AND LOUISIANA
FRAUDS.
INVESTIGATION OF THE GIGAN-
TIC swrNDLE COMMENCES IN
THE HOUSE.
Probability that the Rottenness of the
Hayes Gang will be Thoroughly
Ventilated.
CONG RE So ION AL
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON. l3.-The presden-
tial election frauds in Florida and Louisi-
ana occupied the attention of the house to-
day.
The preamble and resolution having
been read, Mr.. Conger said they did not
present a question of privilege, aud that
the powers proposed in the resolution
could not be given by mere majority
vote, but would require the suspension OF
the rules.
Mr.. Potter said one would suppose if
there was any subject which should be
entitled to preference in this House In
the respect of order Of business 1t was a
subject brought to its notice by the me-
mortal of a sovereign State touching the
official conduct of high officers of the gov
eminent and relating to fraud alleged to
have occurred changing the result OF the
election Of the highest officer OF this gov
eminent.
Mr.. Hale argued from the rules and
manuel that the resolution did not pre-
sent question of privilege. If the res
olution provided or was intended TO sub
vert the accepted result 10 the Presiden-
tial election then there might be some
claim that it did present question OF
privilege, but as mere expression OF
opinion it did not present any such ques-
ton. .....
Mr.. Garfield also argued against the
resolution being u privileged one, lie
said the gentleman from New York
bases his claim that it is a privileged
question on the fact that the memorial
which it recites is a memorial from
sovereign state, and therefore entitled to a
voice in high place in the consideration OF
this house. l think that the gentlemen
from New York was unfortunate in plant
ing his case on that idea. The states of
this union are represented by individual
members, who are sent here to speak and
vote for their states, and IN no other way
whatever can state of this union be
heard on this floor except under the rule,
which is a recent modification, that on
Monday mornings call joint resolution of
state and territorial legislation may be in-
troduced for printing and reference.
The Speaker-Would the gentleman
from Ohio deny to a state the right of
petition, as given in the constitution
Mr.. Garfeld-Ohio, as a state has the
right of petition.
The Sreaker-A memorial is petition
and is provided for in the constitution,
wherein it is stated that congress shall
make no law abridgiug the right OF the
people to petition the government for a re-
dress of grievances.
Mr.. Garfed-The speakers reference
to the right of petition is entirely uDneces-
sarv, That question was discussed on this
very Maryland resolution, and everybody
here granted the perfect and uuquestioned
right of petition, but the right of action
here on this floor is quite different thing
Al Il 49, - - 30 he
dignity of a privileged question depends on
the right OF action which somebody can
demand in the house. This is question
of privilege without doubt, provided the
mover OF it alleges that he purposes to
follow il up as matter Of impeachment
If he says that this is is proceeding in
tended to pave the way to impeachment
then doubtless it may be question o.
privilege. Ii lie says, it is proposed by
the house to raise and determine the ques
ton Of the title Of the president to the Office
which he holds, then / answer that the
question has been determined by the join
voice Of the two houses of congress and i
is beyond the reach of this house. If
again, the object of the resolution is merel,
20 organize a committee for campaign pur
poses, 10 make campaign capital tor tn
fall, then the eXigeucies OF political part
have never yet risen to the dignity of
question Of privilege. Furthermore, Their
is in this resolution a proposition that tn
committee shall have the right to sit i
recess Neither Of these two proposition
can be adopted by majority vote, an
| thereupOn reserve that point of orde
until the opportunity shall arise | al
glad, at least, after the long threat tina
has been hanging over the country, tina
these gentlemen in the language of Shakes
peare have LEFT off their damnable face
and begun, and now let the play 90 on.
Applause on the republican side.
Mr.. Mills argued that the resOiuti"
not present question OF nv IN d
could find no shelter .uieee.
constitution uni" tor it under I
consutuu .,ss that power OF
riPh4 .,bicb cove 70 tho bouse I
80 TO originate an impeachment AgaIT
the president for high crimes and misc
meanors, and it made no charge warral
ing the theory of Impeachment. I
frauds alleged In the resolution had be
once regulated, and competent be
under the constitution which had decar
the present incumbent of the presideu
to be duly elected under the constitute
powers 10 longer existed in torty-h
congress. Any attempt on
part of the forty fifth cOngr
to exercise such power over
presidential election was usurpatlon,
this house had power 20 investigate
question as TO how Hayes obtained
presidency it also had right to inves
gate the means by which James Is. r
had obtained the presidency in his tin
and it might also go back to the days
Washington and bring the facts OF
election before the people. Applause
the republican side.
Mr.. Garfield made point that
required two. thirds vote TO empowe
committee to report at any time.
The speaker sustained the point ,
Mr. Potter struck out those words.
Mr.. Hale asked Mr.. Potter to yield
an amendment.
Mr.. Potter said this was resolui
contemplating an important inquiry,
he introduced it at request OF mis- VOLT
associates. He moved the previous 81
ton .--....- ---.-r -- :.
MIR. Hale moved ne would allow
minority TO be heard, and not prob
german amendments.
Mr.. Potter held that it was privie
question to have the resolution conside
hFst, because set IN motion by sover
state; second, because of the subiec
to which is-referred. If Mr.. Hale
Correctly stated that the limitation of
vlege in reference to the election of
dent Is 10 an inquiry In reference To
election before:he Is seated or with a
otunseating him, then that construct
FENls "a a l. 81