National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-06-05

were becoming suspicious that they wero for a
purpose. [Applau9el
Mr.. Conkling suggested that the proposition
be so modified as to divide whatever time
should bo allowed equally between the two
sidos of the question.
Mr.. Harrison accepted the suggestion as
proper and right.
Mr.. Conkling further suggested twenty
minutes to each side.
Mr.. HarrsOn's motion having been reduced
to writing in the form Of resolution, 1t was
adopted unanimously. [Applause.l
The chair stated that the question was on
Mr.. Clayto motion to substitute the minor
| ity for tho majority recommendation in tho
| Alabama case
Mr.. Conger briefly explained Mr.. Rapier's
case, showing that the only question was AS to
whether tho state convention had the right to
deprive him of his authority TO represent his
district because he refused TO vote for General
Grant. The same point substantially was at
issue In tho other two Alabama contests. Tho
question WAS simply as to the right of single
district representation. Upon its settlement
in his (Mr. Conger's) judgment, rests tho
question Of the continued existence of the
republican party.
| Mr. Turner, of Alabama, replied, simply
celebrating tho views Of the minority report in
the case before tho convention.
| Mr.. Tracy, of New York, protested against
the convention opening and deciding upon .
question which ought to bc,and which had been,
decided in the state convention, and argue
that IN tho Alabama case it had been clearly
shown that tho admission Of the contestant
Smith would lead to a Misrepresentation of the
district. Had it not been for these questions
Of contested seats the convention might have
becn at its legitimate work on the hrst evening
| of Its session.
Mr.. Bateman, of Ohio, supported the ma
jority report in some forcible remarks in
which he characterized the state conventions
attempt TO usurp the free right of Delegate
Rapier to act in his representative capacity as
| he should see fit as II most offensive assertion
OF arbitrary dictation. Mr.. Rapier treated 1t
with the contempt it deserved. Applause. ]
Mr. Farr, of Michigan, said Michigan be-
lieved in tho right of strict representation
Her delegates would sustain that principle and
sustain Mr.. Rapier in his right to voto for his
district just as they insist that the speaker
should vote for Michigan because lie was
elected by Michigan. Applause
Mr. Parsons, of Alabama, declared himself
q Grant republican, but would sustain the
| principle of district representation.
The time for debate having expired, the
question was stated upon Mr.. Clayton's motion
TO strike out and insert
| Mr.. Boutwell, moved the followinG
ReSoiued That all the cases of contested seats
be decided by Adopting Tie usage of each state
that every state where the uniform usage has been
10 cleCt ucltBhleS 10 Tue llALlOlln rcDlDuCAn
vention by the state convention, that usage shall be
| deemed binding, and the same shall be true in
respect to delegates sent BY district conventions
where that has been the usage.
| Mr.. Conger made the point Of order that
Mr.. BoutwelPs resolution was not in order,
because not Germano 10 the pending question.
The chair sustained the point. [Vocitorous
cries of Question !" Question !"
The question was put rica rOCe and was de-
cidel overwhelmingly in the negative.
A division being called for, the roll Of states
was called, rcsulting-nyos, 3O5; noes, 4i0. So
the motion to substitute the minority report
Tor the majority report in the Alabama con-
tests was rejected. The announcement elicit.
cd tumultuous applause.
When Kentucky was called the chairman
announced its full vote in the affirmative, but
the four professionals OF yesterday rose and de.
msnded to be counted in tho negative, and II
was go ordered. The majority report, so far
as relates 10 Alabama, WAS thou adopted
The vote in detail by states on the Alabama
contest is clailned to be an indication OF the
strength of General Grant in the convention
rs it stood before any contested case was sot-
tied. Tho vote was AZ follows: