New-York tribune., 1879-03-29
AN IOWAN TO BE UNSEATED.
AN INCIDENT IN 1HE HOUSE WHICH INDICATES AN
ot-TpACPors pURpOSF.
IDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

OUTRAGEOUS PURPOSE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WAsHINGToN March 2S-Whenever the Demo-
Gratis in the House of Representatives desire to
initiate an unusually ridiculous measure or pro-
mote an unusually partisan scheme, they generally
select Representative Springer of Illinois, to bring
it forward, and everybody recognizes that this Sc
lection is emnenty appropriate. SO this morning,
when Immediately after the reading of the journal
of Yesterdays proceedings, Mr. Springer claimed
the floor on question of the highest privilege"
and presented the memorial of one j. ). WILSON,,
who states that he Is q citizen of Iowa, and was
elected Representative to Congress by the quallhed
electors of the IXth District THAT State at general
election held on the 9Th of last November. no one
was surprised, although, as everybody knows, no
general election was held IN Iowa on that day. Mr.
Springer moved the reference of the memorial ana
certificate Of election" of Mr.. j. j. Wilson, as well
as the certificate of the sitting member, Representa-
tive Carpenter to the Committee on Elections lie
advocated his motion on the ground that Mr.. Will
son was elected in accordance with the laws OF the
United States.
Messrs. Conger and Price objected to the memo
rial being received at all except as petition Mr..
Price showed that under the Constitution of Iowa,
Representatives in Congress are chosen in October ;
that there was no general election held in Iowa IN
November; that in the IXth District, where there
are 80 900 voters Mr.. Wilson received at the ANA
teur election held by himself and his friends IN
November about $50 votes and finally, that he had
not received certificate Of election from the Gov
ernOr or anybody else.
Notwithstanding these facts, the Speaker ruled
that the question was one of high privilege and
that the papers must 90 to the committee.
The Republicans. by showing disposition to fill
buster succeeded in getting the resolution modified
so as to except from the reference the certificate of
the sitting member.
This proceeding consumed nearly an hour. As
Mr. Springer was solidly supported by the Speaker
and the Democrats on the floor it is clear that they
are willing to seize any pretext to unscat a Re-
publican member, and TO repeat III the Iowa case
the iniquity winch they perpetrated III the last
Congress in the Colorado case. Their majority IN
the present House slim that they VIII not be
hindered from increasing it by any considerations
of decenCy fairness, as they have already proved
nv their action III the case of Hull, the indicted
member from the lid District of Florida.
As soon as Mr.. Springers motion was disposed of,
Representative Young, of Ohio. rose TO personal
explanation Himself and his colleague, Mr. But
terworth, had he said, been charged on this floor in
a memorial, supported by affidavIts. with crimes.
for which, if guilty, they ought to be sent to the
neniteDtiarv. The matter had been called TO the
attention OF the Grand Jury recently in session in
Orrfcisnati, and the Grand Jury had called end
amined about fifty witnesses comprising the me-
morialists and atlantis who had charged Mr.. But
terworth and himself with crime THIS Grand Jury,
a majority of which was composed of Democrats,
had unanimously reported that there was nothing
in the charges. He made this statement now. he
said not to prejudice the committee of investi-
cation TO be appointed to consider this subject. but
to show to the members of the House that himself
aud his colleague were regarded as luen OF good
standing and reputation at home.