The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-15

ssPKReOMAL EXPLANATION"
Tie fOElOwiag proceeding occurred In the
Hoas q Representatives at Washington on the |
81 inst:
Mr. Davidsou-Mr Speaker. rise TO ques
iion Of personal privilege
The speaker-The gentleman viii state IT.
Mr. DETidson-l regret that circumstances
make Il necessAry for me 20 ask the indulgence
IL fnh House even for Few moments, 70 speak
20 a QUESTION Of privilege
In The daily Record Of the LIST inst, there ap-
penrs a speech purporting TO have been delivered
bF Hon HorsIlo Bisbee, Jr-, Of Florida, in the
House Of Representatives, Saturday, January ~,
1881 10 that speech, and on the 9Th page OF
that issue nf lhr Record, Mr.. Bisbee is reported
10 have said: :. In this Congressional Dislricl
fnezning The First District of Flerida,) In 1878
ne names Of Republican voters were coIrupty
stricken from the registration books and their
votes were refused OF destroyed BY fraud TO the
extent Of 5000. and thus two Democratic Con-
RresEuen were cnunled In and certified elected
from The SlAte of Florida-and one OF tnem sun
occupie< q seat on this ho"r.
NJ K.ffer-I rise Ia point OF order
The SD<aker-The gentleman viii state H.
Mr. Kieler-I think that it has been disclosed,
from whaI the gentleman has already saiu, 'ha'
tbrTe j. no attack upon him.
Mr. DavidsOn-You have not heard me yet.
Mr. Keif-r-1f1he gentleman says there is an
atiack upon him, of course the point ct order IS
nni well iHkrn- .
Mr. DaFidson-Just hear me through, If you
please
i direct attack upon him, will withdraw the
point Of order
Mr.. DAridson-I beg the gentleman to permit
me 10 procred and he will see that am making
a personal explanation, which am entitled 10
make under The rules OF the House.
The SDeaker-The gentleman has stated that
~raa "a make a DerSODal explain alton.
Mr. Keifer-If the gentleman says there is an
attack upon him. OF course withdraw the point
q order
The speAker-The gentleman viii proceed in
order
Mr. Dzvidson-The gentleman goes on to say
@DeifheT Of whom had any more right to It than
The captain of a privateer has TO the PIund.esII
these words. Mr.. Speaker, been uttered in this
House, ] think that should have heard them
did not hear them, and therefore conclude that
they must have gotten into the Record under the
leave 10 print additional remarks which was
granted By the House TO the member from the
second District of Florida And they were evi
denly intended for me, for am the only Demo
cratic Congressman who occupies seat in thi:
Hall from The State of Florida. The allegation
is q grave and serious one. Wanton and un-
provoked il was, and utterly base and absolutely
untrue il is.
am here sir, as a member of Congress in &C
cOrdance with the Constitution and laws Of Flor
ida, and Of the United States. My credentials are
The sealed certificate of the Governor of my State
and the wishes OF a large majority of the voter
81 nv District expressed at the ballot box.
Should admit for argument, that to be true
which is false, namely that Republican votes in
ny District were DESTROYED by fraud to the ex
tent Of 3 600" even then, would have been le
EAIlV elected for in the contest in that District
IN 1878 my vote exceeded that of ex Senator
CODOFer, the Republican candidate, more thar
800
Mr. Bisbee knows that notwithstanding the
whole political machinery Of the State was in
The hands Of the Republican party in the Cam
pzign Of 1876, and notwithstanding fraud, in
iiniidaiiOn and tissue ballots, yet l was elected
20 Congress He knows that il was publicly pre-
dicied by leading Republican in the very Con-
FeniiOn that nominated my opponent in the con
lei 4 1873 that would defeat him. He knows
moreover, sir, that the recent census shows thai
there are nearly sixteen thousand more white
people IN Florida than there are colOred, and
that The State is emphatcally and without doubt
Democratic He knows that as far back the
year $50 Niblsck, Democrat. beat Walls. q
Republican, for Congress in the State of Florida
kibiack was Wickedly and criminally counted
ont by a Republican State Canvassing Board
bgf q Repubiicsn Congress gave TO him his seat
And s. u al the same election the Demo
cratic Can ate for Lieutenanl-Governor was
eOuDied out by the same Canvassing Board, but
80 Justly and clearly was he entitled TO The Office
that tie Suprrme Court of the State. composed Of
nj sriiy 4 republicans, gave il tn him.
II comes with III grace from Mr. Bishee to
Elsrak 81 political frauds Committed by Demo
Gratis IN FlOIida- asserI here as fac: that but
fnT the inioniious wrong dings of Republicans
me Safe 80 Florida would have b-rn under the
ronirss 90 Drmncrais long befOe 1876. The gen
tlr1nan from The Second District is thoroughly
srQuriBisri with the means " hich Republicans
FLORIDA R-pubiiaans-used To thwaft The wishes
81 tie p.zsple Of that Siaie. He we'll rtmenlbers,
Do dOubi. when he was the UNITED STATES Dir
ffie1 Attorney for The Northern District of Flor
ida HIS even a court o. justice WAS made en-
gID- 81 persecution, and NOT only men but feeble
Essmsn Wers arrested upon false Charge.
Mr. COnger-Mr- Speaker, l rise 10 a point OF
srder
Mr. DsTidson-I trust The gentleman will not
interfere with me.
Mr. CODger-I wish the gentleman to stop un-
Cd get a ruling from the Chair.
The speaker-The Chair will stop The gentle
man II he is going beyond what the Chair be-
ieFes 10 be his right.
Mr.. CODger-I ask the Chair TO stop the gen
fieman now. and ] was about 10 assist him in
Stopping him. / submit the gentleman from
Firrsds is going Gar beyond what the privilege If
this House allows uIueT the lille of personal ex-
TianaliOn
Tie Spesker-The Chair was advised that the
gentleman from Florida desired to obtain the
no0r or intended 10 claim the floor for the priv
Mege 81 making personal explanation, on the
ground hat There had been inserted in the Record
personal assault upon himself which was not
uttered in The House, and therefore the Chair
recognizes him in consequence of that statement.
The Chair thinks that on the statement of facts
alleged by the gentleman from Florida, il per
sOnal assault had been made upon him in the
manner slated, il is his right TO be heard upon
me floor in response 10 any personal assault.
Mr. Dayidson-It is but fair and right that
should have that privilege under the circum-
stances.
Mr. CODger-I have submitted one point OF or
der on which would like to have the ruling of
Tie Chair, and hope the gentleman from Flori-
da viii wait the judgment Of the House before
be attempts 10 proceed.
Mr.. DsvidsOn-I shal: submit, sir, Of course,
50 The decision OF the Chair.
Mr.. COnger-The point make is that in his
selfdeense, in bis personal explanation, he is 60
ing outside Of il 10 attack This House, to attack
The Republican party of this Union, to attack the
Republicans Of Florida and TO attack worse than
he vas attacked, the gentleman oil whom he COM
plains
Mr.. DaFidsoD-Eot worse: not worse.
Mr.. Conger-Yes. sir; in the very last sentence
The gentleman uftarsd.
The 6peaker-The gentleman from Florida
vii cOB1ne his reply 10 matters of personal
characfer.
Mr. Conger-I think il is the duty Of the Chair
whenever a member passes beyond q reasonable
p~rnonA explanation, without point OF order
bling missed, 10 call him 10 order.
NJ ~ 49, - -