The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-14

and proceeded to analyze the situation,
reviewing the history of the Maryland reso-
luton, and said 1t was the appeal of o state
of the Union to Federal legislative power
for the correction Of high grievances said |
to have been committed in Florida and |
Louisiana against the state of Maryland, in |
having by fraud produced a different |
result 10 the Presidential election from |
hat actually decreed by the people at the
polls. The chair need not decide on the
truth of the allegation, but he knew they
came from power, which, within the limits
is recognized as sovereign by the constitu
ton, and that the welfare OF states was
involved. The chair could not conceive a
higher privilege than the one broadly and
directly involved here-that of the rightful
occupancy of the chief executive chair of
the government, and as to the connection
ofhigh government officials with the frauds
alleged. Among the questions of privilege
enumerated Cd the manual, is the election
of President. The Chair therefore ruled
that it was a question of the highest privl-
lege. Applause on the Democratic side.
Mr., Conger appealed from the decision,
Mr., Potter moved to table the appeal.
Agreed to-l2S to 10S, a party vote except
| CDaC m6SSTSs Fort. outACh
voted with the Democrats, and Messrs.
Buckner and Mills with the Republicans.
| Mr.. Reagan explained that he agreed
withsMr. Mills that the President could
not be retired, but thought this a privlleg-
cd question,
Mr.. Oonger raised the point that as the
resolution proposed to give the committee
unusual powers, it could not be adopted
by a majority vote aud that as it provided
for the expenditure of money it must first
be considered by the Committee of the
Whole.
Mr.. Sayler, to refute this. instanced the
famous Gardner investigation.
/ Mr.. Garfield said there was no force to
this illustration, and after further discus
sion the speaker overruled the point that
the committee could not sit during recess
without two thirds vote.
Mr.. Conger then said the law prescribed
who should administer oaths and this
house could not change the law.
The speaker overruled the point as of nj
force. He also overruled the point regard
ing the expenditure of money.
Mr.. Potter-l will yield to the gentle
man to state the nature of his amendment
1t may be that in the form of an amend
ment he merely wants to get in speech.
Mr.. Hale-Then [ will read the amend
ment.
Mr.. Potter-I did not ask the gentle
man to do that; asked him to state wha
the nature of his amendment was.
Mr.. Hale-I think l may be allowed t
say this: The matter has not come III
suddenly. 1t was considered for a lont
time by the gentleman and his associates
g but it was never known when it would b
sprung on the house Feeling that it wa
becoming OF course party matter con
suited with the speaker and received frou
him the assurance land | am glad to sa
that in these matters the speaker is Away
ready for the minority to be heard) thai
this side Of the house should be repre-
scented in this matter and should have al
opportunity of presenting its propositions
All that will come from gentlemen yieldin
! to my courteous request that my amend
ment may come in. Here is an oppor
tunity to vote upon it, He and hi
associates may vote it down if they wi
and we will then vote upon the resolu
ton. He will see, however, that N
amendment is german to resolution,
in the direction OF investigation, not 0
sitting it 10 the least degree. 1t sends t
this select committee, appointed for a pull
pose, the subject matter only connecte
with the subject matter of original resolu
ton, and that it departs not one iiota fror
: the great subject matter of the investigs
ton of alleged frauds attendant upon th
: presidential election 10 1876. l ask hiI
: now. as he seeks full investigation, tht
he does not throttle the right OF this side
the house to offer the amendment.
= Concluded on next page)