The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-22

not come in as matter of right.
The Speaker-Don't you recognize
the right of a State to petition?
Mr.. Garfeld-Yes, sir.
The Speaker-A memorial of State
is in the nature of a petition.
Mr.. Garfield said that there was no
doubt about that, and this very petit
ton from Maryland was discussed
when it was brought here, but IL petit
ton cannot be revised to question of
privilege. Ii the gentleman says that
his resolution is to pave the way for au
impeachment, then it may be ques
ton of privilege, but if it is to deter
niue the title of the present Chief
Magistrate of the United States he
claimed that had been done by boIh
Houses of Congress, and the cxigcncy
of a political party cannot make this ii
question of privilege. He also made a
point of order against the resolution,
that 1t authorized the committee to sit
durin. The sessions of the House, and
to report at any time, which was
against the rules but he was glad that
these men, after I'LL this talk, in the
language Of Shakespeare, cleft off theil
damnable faces, and now let the play
go oc."
Mr.. Cox. of New York, said that Mr.
Garfield was member Of the Eiectora
Commission and had voted with seve,
others steadily not to go behind The
Florida returns, aud now che majority
Of the House have right to pass tlis
resolution. 1t is u question of privi
lege of the highest character. 1t may
reach impeachment under the terms o.
the resolution. 1t may be made ;
precedent to impeachment and it il
therefore q question of the highes
privilege. Hi
Mr.. Congor, of Michigan, said tina
the memorial upon which this resolu
ton was based is not at present in TIN
possession of the House. The gentle
man from York has not got it, for ]
was sent to committee, aud IL woul'
not belong to the House until COIN
mittee reported it back. He could no
understand how ans member could H.
his hand upon paper which belouge
to a committee and bring it before th
House as a question Of privilege.
was an impertinence, for abe gentle
man from New York was not even
member of the committee to which tb
! paper was referred. He lays his hand
on it in violation of the rules of I'll,
House, and it was. therefore, disrt
I spectful to the Judiciary Committe'
MI. Mills, of Texas, failed to see an
. sound reason why this shonld not :
!, recognized az q question of privileg
The forty-foartl, Congress solsmnl
declared the present Incumbent Of III
Executive Office elected President
the United States, and that was ilp e.,
t. Of it. That Congress alone hnl II
= power to act on the question. The
" is not shadow of authority for actit
by this House. The constitute
placed the presidential question" in Il
Forty fourth Congress, and oa Il
: fonril, of March. 1877, The whole MA
= ter was settled and ended. and he /
u peated that the adoption of this res
. luton would be nothing short Of usu
!" patton of power by this Honse.
Mr.. Potter, of New York, arsr'
9 that it was q question of the iigle
. privilege for the House to iavestisa
J. these alleged frauds. He discIaim,
: any attempt to disturb the title Of Il
% President.
The Speaker ruled that the questi
b was a privileged one, aud an appe
y was taken. The decision was su
D. tanned by a vote of 1913 to los.
10 The Republicans at this stage beg
d to filibuster, and by refusing TO 70
3 destroyed quorum, whereupon a IN
u ton to adjourn was carried. f