National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-25
FILIBUSTERING.
BOURBON TACTICS IN THE HOUSE.
Delaying the Business Of the Session In the Mackey.
O'Connor Contcst-A Scene or Confusion--
Dlsgracerul Action Of Democrats
"A Member Falnts.

When the House met yesterday Mr.. Calklns rose
TO question Of personal privilege, and sent TO the
Clerks desk and had read that portion Of the letter
written by Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, to Mr.. Man
ming, which charges that tho Committee on Elec-
tlons refused to investigate the charges Of forgery
preferred before that committee
Mr.. Randall conteuded that tho letter failed to
show that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Call
kins) had been alluded to in any relation,
The Speaker ruled that the matter did present
question of privilege.
MIR. Cakins then stated that ns long as the charges
against the committee were confined to the nows-
papers he had not noticed them but when they
were made by q member Of Congress, It was a re-
Election on every member Of the committee Prob.
ably It was not so intended by the gentleman (Mr.
HEWITT but nevertheless II was a reflection which
ought to be refuted at once. The Committee or
Elections had never failed to inquire into the
truth OF any charge made before it.
CONFUSION WORSE COMPOUNDED.
A long and noisy discussion then arose as to the
action of the committee, Mr. Athcrton claiming
that II had refused to investigate the charges Of
forgery, and Mr. Calkins denying that statement
Both these gentlemen were frank in their slate
mcnts and proceeded In perfect oalmneSs and
good temper, but n great number of members on
both sides were excited and their Interpretations
into the debate caused such great confusion that
1t was next to impossible TO understand the points
made ly the principal drbdters.
The House was unusually full and nearly all the
members were on their feet, many of them speak
Ing ut once. The confusion increased as time
passed. and at II o'clock tho House was In nm up
roar which only abntCd when Mr.. Calkins de-
manded of his friends that in spirit Of fairness
Mr. Atherton should be allowed to take the floor.
Mr. Reagan, however, objected.
Then MIR. Dibble arose TO n question Of privilege,
but his opening r marks failing TO present such a
question, objection was made to his proceeding.
Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, then took the floor with
another question of privilege He disclaimed any
Intention OF making an unjust charge against any
/ mi hnr pT tlp COininittpp IpptiOng
that in writing the letter which had given rise TO
| the debate he had based its declarations on the
minority report, the petition Of Mr.. Dibble and the
| assertions Of the Democratic members of the COM
mittec As of the foundations for his letter Mr..
Hewitt desired TO have read the affidavit of C.
| Smith, United States supervisor of elections.
Mr.. Reed objected TO this ON the ground that 1t
was not fair for the Democrats to discuss in an in
direct way what they did not dare to discuss in q
| direct wny. That WAS the trouble In this matter.
| Mr.. Observation-Disclosures the trouble is, | have some
rights on this floor, and will assert my privileges
Mr. Recd-0ther people have rights as well as
Mr.. Hewitt-And you know how to maintain
| them.
Tho Speaker ruled that the offdavit might be
read il tsimply charges interlneatons erasures,
| and omissions in the testimony taken in the con-
| test between Mackey ana O'ConnOr.
| Mr.. Calkins then reviewed briefly the evidence
in the case, and rend atidnvits in explanation and
| denial of that filed by &. smith, and his prescnta-
tion of the facts On which the majority OF the COM
| mittce relied ELECTED several rounds of applause
| from his party friends. In conclusion he said
1T Is said that the Democratic party isjustied in
| its ilbustering because some testimony Is ques-
toned. lfthe Democratic party can stand on such
Il footing we can afford to stand on the great con-
stutional right (Which for ninety three years has
| never before been questioned) Of determining by
majority vote of this House who is entitled to a
| The matter was dropped and Mr.. Calkins called
| up the contested election case.
| FIIIBUsTERTSG TACTICS
| Mr. Randall raised the question of consideration
| md moved ha
| adjourn II be to meet on Friday next.
The vote resulted-yeas, l (Mr; Phelps nays
| 1i3--three less than quorum. The Republican!
absent on this vote were Messrs. Bingham, Camp
| Houk, Lindsey Mason, McCoid, Scranton, Sher
win, Valentine, Van AernaIn, West, W. A. Wood
A call Of the House was then ordered but thu
| roll-call disclosing the presence Of quorum fur
hef proSeedings , under the call Were dispensed
| ton to ado over.
The vote resulted-yeas, (Mr Benjamin wood)
nays, 1iS-two more than quorum.
The Republican members absent on this vot
| were Messrs. Camp, Mason, Van Aernam, W. A
Seey fSpbRs bss Sss SenH
Democrats, voted with the Republicans on thi
Mr.. Muldrow, who had voted in the negative
Immediately rose and moved to reconsider; an,
Mr.; Calkins moved to lay that motion on til
The motion to reconsider was tabled-yeas, 1i7
Diiatory motions were then resorted to, the flrs
DelnB motion 10 huJOurl, submitted Dy hlr, ran
dali. LOst-yeus o. nays, Ia.
MEMBER FALLS IN A FIT.
During the roll-call oil n dilatory motion MI
Walker, who was standing In the rear of the mem
bers Seats fell in fninting fit, and laid upoi
one of the sofas. There was some excitement II
the House, which was alluyed, however, when
was announced that Mr. Walker was sufierin
simply from slight attack OF vertigo. He was ii
a few moments conveyed TO the Speakers room
and the doors of the gallarles were ordered to b
opened in order that some fresh air might be ad
niitted to the chamber.
Mr.. Renna moved that when the House adjourn
| II be to meet on Saturday which motion Mr.. Ran
dali moved to amend by substituting Friday. O
this vote the Republicans lost their quorum, tn
result being-yeas, l; nays, 40; and II call of tn
| House was ordered, and the doors were closed.
Mr.. Walker recovered in time to answer to hi
name on this call.
Matters then remained IN stGtu quo for about a.
hour and a half. The Sergeant-at- Arms was lie
| DISPATCHED after absent members, and those pres
cut killed time, as well as they were able in con
yeIsation and reading until o'clock, when Nj
Calkins stating that he would Gallup the electio
case Thursday, and advising members to brin
five days raions with them moved to adjourn
The motion was agreed to, and the House AT
| o'clock adjourned until Thursday.