Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-05

HOUSE.


WAsHfxeToS. June 8.
Amer the reading of the Journal the House
resumed consideration of the Alabama con-
tested election case Of Lowe ~. Wheeler,
Mr.. Wheeler being accorded the floor to
close the argument in his own behalf
He reviewed the Law and facts in the case,
and deduced therefrnm the conclusion that
| he had been fairly and honestly elected to
the Forty-seventh Congress. He then
Welded to Mr.. Springer of Illinois. who con-
tended that if Mr.. Lowe was to be seated, It
would be upon the tissue ballots. and gave
notice that he would offer a resolution re-
committing the case and instructing the COM
mi,tee to ascertain the number of tissue bal
lots cast for either party, and to report who
Vas elected after rejecting all such ballots.
Mr. Calkins of Indiana. stated that though
he had carefully examined the case, he had
for the first time heard today of tissue bal
lots. They had not been mentioned in the
argument before the committee on elections.
Mr.. Burrows of Michigan. criticised the
.ction of the democrats upon the contested
election cases, declaring that the Forty
seventh Congress would pass into history as
the one in which the democratic minority
sought by means hitherto unemployed in
parliamentary practice, to prevent the House
from exercising its unquestioned right to judge
of the election Of lis own members.
Mr. Hazelton of Wisconsin. demanded the
previous question, pending which Mr..
Springer moved 70 recommit with instruc-
tons, and placed that motion in the form of
a resolution and preamble. The preamble
sets forth that numberof so-caled dispositions
offered by the contestant were never certified
and did not show that any of the pretended
witnesses were sworn, and that some of the
4 LII afp No.
animation.
At this point Mr.. Reed of Maine, objected
to further reading, claiming that the pre-.
amble was merely speech, and made a
point of order that it was not proper to be
incorporated to a motion to recommit. In
arguing his point of order, he stated that the
allegations in the preamble were untrue anC
that the resolution had come under false pre-
fences, inasmuch as the gentleman from
| Illinois had merely given notice that he
would move to recommit with instructions.
| Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania. said that il
was but due to Mr.. Springer to state that the
preamble was not drawn up by him, but was
placed in his charge. After he had con
cluded his speech, Mr.. Springer declared
THAT he had acted in perfect good faith, and
if the gentleman from Maine insinuated Il
the contrary he was acting without the
slightest foundation. If he were the hon.
orable gentleman that he (Springer) had al
ways thought him to be he would in the House
and country withdraw the int.mation of bat
faith and falsehood. Did he do so!
| Mr.. Reed-He does not.
Mr.. Springer-Then state that the gen
tleman takes the chances of doing what NJ
honorable gentleman should do, imputnl
bad motives aud false motives to another
member.
Mr.. Reed am ready to take it.
! The Speaker ruled that the resolution wa.
not in order on the ground that portions o
the preamble were in the nature of a de
bate.
| Mr.. Springer was successful, however, il
getting the whole of the preamble in the re
cord by appealing from the decision of tn,
chair.
| The appeal was then laid on the table.
| Mr.. Springer then moved to recommi
with instruction to the committee to ascer
tain the number of tissue ballots cast fol
either Mr.. Lowe or Mr.. Wheeler and to re
port a resolution giving the seat to the on,
having the highest number of legal vote
after rejecting all such tissue ballots.
The motion was lost. yeas 81, nays 1872
party vote, except Smith of New York, VIII,
voted with the republicans.
| The previous question was then ordered
without division.
Mr.. Hazelton of Wisconsin, closed the de
bate with an hours speech in favor of thu
| contestant.
Resolution declaring contestant entitled t.
seat was then adopted, yeas l49, nays
(Messrs. Hardenburg, Phelps and Rice o
Ohio). and Mr.. Lowe appeared at the bar o
the House to take the oath of Office.
On motion Of Mr.. Springer of Illinois
the Senate joint resolution was passed fol
the printing of the memorial address of J
G. Blaine upon the life and character of tn,
late President Garfield.
The House at 1856 adjourned.