The Portland daily press., 1878-05-23
HARRISON'S RESOLUTION.
Another Lively Scene in the
House.
Democrats in a Very Uncomfortable
Position.
Especial despatch TO the Boston Journal.]

Especial despatch to the Boston Journal.l
WASHINGTON, May 22.-In the House this
morning Carter Harrison rose to a question OF
privilege and presented a resolution of which
the following is the substance: "Whereas, a
select committee has been appointed to inquire
into alleged frauds in Florida and Louisiana,
and whereas, it is charged that frauds of the
same character were committed In Oregon and
South Carolina; therefore resolved, that that
committee be instructed to inquire into this
if there is substantial evidence, and that the
44th Congress having decided that Hayes and
Wheeler we're elected, it is not now in the
power of Congress or of this House by the
present investigation to ann1l or to attempt to
Mr.. Sayler, Speaker pro tenn, ruled that il
was o question of privilege. The Democrats
were in great CONSERVATION. Upon Usua 0oce
vote the Democrats decided that it was not a
were demanded. The Democrats sought to
avoid the record vote. and many declined to
vote. The Speaker insisted it was q question
Of privilege, as Speaker Randall had decided
that the original subject was question of
privilege. The Democrats indicated an inten.
ton to vote to refer or to lay upon the table.
Meanwhile the Speaker secured q little time for
the Democratic leaders to confer by sending
fer the Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce order.
Clarkson Potter and the Democratic members
Speakers desk aud eagerly examined the
clause forbidding assailing the Presidential
tisir. Carter Harrison, author Of The resolu.
tiop, was bitterly denounced by his Democratic
colleagues. Potter approached him, white in
the face, and denounced him. AS the roll call
proceeded many Democrats refused to vote
and many, including the members of the
Potter Committee, voted against the PROPOSE
ton.
Mills of Texas, one of the Democrats who
voted against the original proposition, fairly
beamed with pleasure at the dilemma in which
the democrats found themselves placed. The
Republicans, pending the roll call, refused to
vote and were in consultation. Cox of OHIO
was the centre of an excited group, and was
understood to have been insisting that the Re-
pubiicans should vote in favor of the resolu-
tion. The Republicans were disposed, how
ever, to make the Democrats assume the entire
responsibility for the action. Hunton, one of
the Democratic members of the committee.
voted for the resolution. Every action of the
Democrats pending the roll call indicated that
their purpose Is to attack the Presidential title
That portion of the Harrison resolution alone
gave them concern. After repeated consulta
tions Springer was seen to be preparing an
amendment to offer to the portion of the reso-
luton declaring that it is not the intention to
proceed against the President. The Sergeant
alarms was three times called during the roll
call to seat members and preserve order.
Proctor Knott voted against the resolution,
although paired with Frye, Eugene Hale, the
referee, having notified Knott that the pair did
not 60 to this vote
The House failed TO act upon Harrison's
motion and declined to consider it question
OF privilege, the vote standing ayes II, NAYS 80:
no quorum; when Garter HARRISON driven
from his position by the bulldoziog of his COL
leagues, withdrew his motion.