The Osceola times., 1878-05-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
IiOTsE.

Il. u,
rs question of privilege, presented the
following preamble and resolution: Whereas,
lhe state of Maryland has, by its legislature,
formally declared that due effect was not
given to the electoral vote cast by that state
on the 9th day Of December, 1876, by reason
OF fraudulent returns in the electoral votes
from the states of Florida and Louisiana !;
and Whereas, As an affidavit by Samuel b.
McLin, chairman of the board Of state can.
vassers, of the state of Florida, for the elec.
ton held in that state in November, 1876,
for electors OF president and vice president,
has been made public, alleging false and
fraudulent returns OF the votes for such
election in that state, whereby the choice OF
the people in that ST te was annulled and
reversed, and that action of the board Of
state canvassers making such returns WAS
influenced by the conduct and promises OF
Hon. Edward F. Noyes, now minister to the
government OF France; and Whereas, II is
alleged that conspiracy existed in the state
of Louisiana whereby the republican vote in
all the precincts Of the parish oil east Felici.
ana, at a general election in November
1876, was purposely withheld from the polls
to afford a pretext for the exclusion by the
returning board OF that state OF the vote cast
in these precincts for electors of president
and vice'president and that James E. Ander-
son, supervisor of REGISTRATION of east
Feliciana, and ID. A. Weber, supervisor Of
registration IN the parish OF west Felicans,
in that state, in iurtherance OF that con
spiracy falsely protested that the election in
such precincts had not been fair and free
and that the state returning thereupon
falsely and fraudulently, excluded the votes
of said precincts, and by means thereof and
other false and fraudulent acton by said
returning board the choice of the people OF
that state was annulled and reversed, and
that such action Of said Weber and Ander-
son was induced or encouraged by assurances
OF Hon. John sherman, secretary OF the
treasury of the United States; And, whereas,
The gravity OF these charges, the nature of
evidence upon which they are reported to
be based, and the official dignity and posi-
tion Of the persons named in connection
with said frauds, make il proper that the
same should be inquired into to the end that
the honor Of the nation may be vindicated,
and the truth as to such elections made
known. Therefore be it resolved, That a
select committee, consisting Of IL members
from this house, be appointed TO inquire
into the aforesaid allegations as to the con
duet OF persons in Office aforesaid in respect
OF said election, and into the alleged false
and fraudulent canvass and return OF votes
by state, county, parish precinct officers in
the said states OF Louisiana and Florida and
into ali the facts which, in the judgment of
said committee are connected with or pertiN
nent thereto, and that said committee, for
the purpose of executing this resolution,
shall have power TO send for persons and
papers, 10 administer oath, and to take testi-
mony, and in their discretion to detail sub
committees with like full authority Of said
committee in every particular, and with
power to set in Florida and Louisiana F;
which sub bcommittees shall be committees
OF this house, and the chairman thereof shall
be authorized to administer oaths. That
said committees and sub committees may
employ stenographers, and be attended
each bya deputy sergesnt-at-arms, and may
set during the sessions of this house, and
during vacation. and that said committee
proceed in their enquiry, and have leave to
report at any time The republican side Of
the house hereupon resorted TO the parlia.
mentary expedient of Withholding their
votes, so that when the question came TO be
tested by the tellers, there were only ll6
ayes to nay. No quorum voting, Mr.. Potter
moved the call of the house, which was
made. and all the republicans answered 10
their names, so that no further proceedings
under the call could be TAKEN. Mr.. Potter
then asked the speaker whether il the house
adjourned now this question would come up
as unfinished business. The speaker In,
formed him that ii would remain before the
house until disposed Of. Adjourned.
In the house, on the 14th, Immediately
after the reading OF the journal, demands
for the regular order we're made on both
sides Of the house, and the speaker an
nouuced the regular order. On seconding
the demand for the previous question on
the resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Pot.
ter the republicans refrsined from voting,
thus leaving the house without quorum, as
there were but one hundred and eleven
democrats present, one hundred and forty.
six being necessary TO make quorum. A
all OF the house was then ordered, the call :
disclosing the fact that there were two hume
dred and forty-tive members present.
Further proceedings under the call were
dispensed with, and the question required
ON seconding the demand for the previous
question, when the republicans again re-
sorted to filibustering tactics, and the house
was left without quorum, the democrats
being able to muster only one hundred and
thirteen voters..... Mr.. Wood--As the facti.
Gus minority seem determined TO obstruct
business, move that the house adjourn......
The motion was opposed by the republicans
but was carried by yeas 1870, nays i04.
In the house, on the 10Th, after another
Intellectual attempt TO secure quorum, the
house, on motion OF Mr.. Potter, adjourned
without division.
The house, on the 10th, adjourned
without trsnsaoting any business.
In the house, on the 18th, the regular
order Of business was demanded by
MIR. rotter, and the question REQUIRED on
seconding the demand for the previeuI