New-York tribune., 1878-03-16
THE ATTEMPT TO UNsEAT FIELD.
CIAPKSON " POTTER AND OTHER DEMOCRATS oP-
POSE rr-GFNERAL BUFFERS Gun SPIKED BE-
foRE II COULD BE FIRED.

c1ArKsoN y. POTTER AND OTHER DEMOCRATS oP-
POSE rr-GRYERAL BUFFERS Gun SPIKED BE-
ToRE II GOULD BE FIRED.
10y TELEGRAPH To TIE TgIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, March 15.-The discussion OF the
Boston contested election case of Dean against
Field in the House to-day the only official husi
ness in that body and was unusually interesting.
The prospect at the close of the debate, if any in
teligent Judgment could be formed from the course
of the argument was better for the retention of his
seat by Mr. Field than ms Republican friends had
Anticipated. Mr Dean himself Is not as sanguine Of
success tonight as he has heretofore been.
If the House should divide on this question along
party lines, of course the Democratic contestant
would obtain his seat but the Democrats are divided
in sentiment. Mr.. Potter Of New-YoTk, and Mr.
Gambler, of Georgia, both members OF the Commit
tee on Elections. joined with the Republicans III
signing the minority report, and the ability with
which they have presented the arguments TO sustain
their position has brought to their support several
Of the best Democratic lawyers il the House.
The speeches of the day were made by Mr. Can
6ler of Georgia. Mr.. Williams, of Alabama, Mr.
Hiscock and Mr.. Potter, of New-York. Mr.. Gambler
reviewed the law and the facts of the case, dis
sected and disposed Of the points made in Mr.
Springcrs speech of yesterday, and closed with the
remark that if the Democrats to act as voters
to decide whom they preferred for REPRESENTATIVE
they might vote for MIR. Dean, but If they sat as
fndges 20 declare whom the people Of Massachusetts,
chose as their Representative for the district they
could only vote for Mr. Field.
Mr. Willamss speech read from manuscript
and attracted very little attention.
He was followed by Mr. Hscock, OF New-York
whose effort commanded the closest attention. 1t
had been understood that General b. T. Butler
would speak against the retention of Mr. Field. and
take the ground that the minority report attacked
the constitutionality of the Enforcement Act Mr.
Hiscock as one of the signers Of this report, de-
Tended it, and held that it did not call in question
the corstitutonality Of that act. The general
timent is that he left ground for General Butler
10 build an argument upOn, far as this point is
concerned and that after listening to his speech 10
member, either Democrat or Republican, can make
il an excuse for voting against Mr.. Field
Mr. Potter, who followed Mr.. HiscOck, also made
some strong points on the side OF the question
He said that Massachusetts, has provided by statute
for the recount of votes. This is mandatory and
directory and the count is bound to be accepted in
the absence of proof of lnaccuracy. AS there is no
such proof he compelled TO accept the count. 1t
would he said be most dangerous to 20 behind such
q count He had been In three Congresses when
the Republicans had control, and he had seen them
act in such way contested election cases as
often to make his blood boil. But he did not pro-
pose to get even by pursuing the In this
Congress for he believed these cases were OF
judicial character and should be decided judlciay.
The debate On this was interrupted by the
Speaker TO announce the death of j. f.. Leonard.
Representative from Louisiana. at Havana this
morning Out Of respect 10 his memory the House
Immediately adjourned.