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

said there had beeu inserted IN the Record an ~
sault upon him mot uttered in the House; and |
the Chair felt it to be his duty 70 recognise the
gentieman that be might have an oRpoT!Hniy %
con6ne himself TO what b legitimately personal
explanation.
I am replying 10 D charge which was made |
against me.
Judge OF the Circuit Court of the Staie was taken
may almost say from the bench, indicted ana
prosecuted for having pronounced an honest ano
correct opinion in reference 70 pontical mauer,
adversely to the interest of the Republican party
in Florida. Co.,
And Il has not escaped the recollection Of the
member from the Second District OF Florida,
am satisfied, that when he was United States
District Attorney Democratic State Senator'S
elect were arrested 0y Unitea Ssa'es MA,snai
and taken from the Capital of the State two hun
dred miles away TO Jacksonville, out OF the ju-
dicial Division in which they resided, Just as the
Legislature was about to convene SO that Dem
ocratic majority in the Senate might be de-
stroyed and the Republicans be enabled to or
ganiZe that body.
Mr. Houk-I think the Chair will see that the
gentleman from Florida is not combining himself
10 the question at issue
Mr.. Speaker-The gentleman from Florida
will confine himself TO what Is legiumately q
personal explanation.
Mr. DavidsOn-I am endeavoring to do 1t.
NV colleague is not complaining, and think it
comes with bad grace from the gentleman from
| Tennessee to interfere.
| Mr. Houk-I haye not conferred with the gen.
| tlemans colleague, but l know what are the
| rules of the House.
MIR. Calkins-That the gentieman's colleague
is not complaining is not the question. The
question is, if the gentleman's explanation goes
| into that wide range, where Will 1t end
The Speaker-The Chair has more than once
| 81 Tho Florida
must confine himself 10 the personal explana-
| tiOn 80
~Mr Davidson-I will do SO. But time will
fail me 10 tell of all the infamous wrongs which
in days gone by were committed by florloa ne
publicans, and in which my colleague was no
doubt particeps criminis.
IT, Y~.I-~, 1ls~n. "ceA'"s3" 'yN1at. -0t Puenls
cans but to the injuries he has himself expert
enced Laughter.
Mr. Davdson-Now, sir, as evidence of his
bitter, indecent partisanship | beg you and this
House to note the fact which appears in his
speech that he was not willing to content him.
self with slandering me, but went from this Hall
TO the Senate Chamber to misrepresent and ira
duce a distinguished member of that body. OF
the thirty mine counties in the State of Florida
the Republicans have majorities in only seven or
eight Is it surprising, then, thst a Democratic
Senator should be elected from that State? And
now, Mr.. Speaker, in conclusion, must say that
the attack made on me and the Democrats of my
State by MIR. Bisbee was altogether unwarranted.
Why did he make itf 1t could not have been
made for The purpose of aiding Mr.. Martin, for
the remarks were not relevant or pertinent to
his case. Was ii made to celebrate his advent
into this House, to which he has so recently been
admitted by Democratic votes? Or wasit made
with the hope that gentlemen here might he in
duced 10 PREJUDICE contested election cases which
may arise in the next House? Whatever his
motive was, Mr.. Speaker, have but TO say that
the unkind bitter and malignant spirit evinced
~, ohor fla Dicfr 81
ida must have emanated from heart which is
never moved or influenced by the kinder nobler,
and more generous impulses and feelings of our
nature.
Mr.. Bisbee-I had no notice whatever that
my colleague from Florida would rise this morn
ing to make personal explanation, much less to
make personal attack on me for acts performed,
or alleged to have been performed, by myself in
the capacity of United States District Attorney
eight and ten years ago. | did not have the
pleasure OF listening to his Introductory remarks
but understand The gravamen of them was that
something has been inserted in the Record
Mr.. Davidson Will the gentleman permit me
TO interrupt him for moment:
Mr. BiSbee-Yes, sir
Mr. Davidson-The gentleman says he did not
hear part of my remarks. l sent for him to
the rooms of the Committee on Elections and
knew he was in the House when | rose
Mr.. Bsbee-TlIe gentleman sent for me to the
committee room as he states, but he did not in
form me for what purpose he wished to see me-
| supposed ii was with reference to consuta
lion regarding the bill now pending before the
House
wish TO state that had leave to print that
portion of my remarks which were not deli ,ered
in the House for The want of time. | disclam
any intention either of violating the rules of The
House or of rejecting personally upon the gen.
lleman from Florida. l have not done either
No proper construction Of any portion of my re-
marks will warrant that conclusion. | have
r III 7
acts which have been performed, crimes that
have been committed upon The purity of the
| ballot box by The party and the members of the
party to which the gentleman has the honor 10
| belong. l think there is some hope of the gen.
| ileman from Florida, and of the members of the
party 10 which he belongs, when see him show
ing here some sensitiveness upon that point
while the lamp holds out to burn, the vilest
| sinner may return"
A Member-YOu live yet.
Dir. Bisbee-At the proper time and in the
| proper place shall be ready, as / am ready now
if the House desires to listen to the controversy
to defend the republican party and its whole re-
cord in the State Of Florida.
did while United States District Attorney
! prosecute 10 conviction two citizens of the county
| of Gadsden, where the gentleman resides, one of
them an ex Ex-Governor OF the State, of conspi.
| racy to prevent republican electors from casting
their ballots on election day. That ex Governor
| was justly convicted, was sentenced. and he
| seIVeu us teTul III prison ana palu the nne BE-
| cause weak men signed petition for his pardon,
and because had pluck enough at that time TO
prevent his pardon being granted, have been
pursued by the d. mocracy of that State with re-
| lentless scorn and contempt have so far out
| lived it.
will not burden the patience Of The House at
| this time by going into any extended argument
| 10 vndcate my administration while was Dis
| trict Attorney in that State. ] wish a better
state of things existed in Florida now than does
exist think il is proper in reply TO the general
remarks of the gentleman from Florida that /
| should state fact which shows the condition of
the Democracy in the county in which the gen.
teman lives.
A citizen of that county, formerly from Ken
lucky, a Republican, was recently subpenaed
before The United States Court to testify in re-
gard TO election frauds in the late election He
obeyed that subpoena, and because he obeyed ii
| his house has been visited by armed men, Demo
Gratis, and his wife and five little children have
been threatened that he, the husband and father,
would be killed the moment he retained to his
home because he obeyed that subpoena. That Is
| the condition of the Democratic party in the
very county in which the gentleman himself re-
| sides.
| Mr.. Davidson Let me say to the gentleman
that have never before heard anything of that.
N m N - IN - An @AH