The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-05
XLVIIth Congress-1st Session
WASHINGTON, June 8.
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, June g.
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading Of the journal
to-day, the House resumed consideration OF
the Alabama contested election case OF Lowe
vs. Wheeler, Mr.. Wheeler being accorded the
floor to close the argument in his own behalf.
He reviewed the law and the facts in the case,
and deduced therefrom the conclusion that he
had been fairly and honestly elected as mem
Der of the 47th Congress. He then yielded to
Mr.. Springer of Illinois, who contended that,
if Mr. Lowe were to be seated, it would be up
on tissue ballots, and gave notice that he
would offer a resolution recommitting the case
and instructing the committee to ascertain the
number of tissue ballots cast for either party.
and to report who was 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 to-day OF tissue ballots
They had not been mentioned in the pleadlngs
or the arguments before the committee on
elections.
Mr.. Haselton of Wisconsin demanded the
previous question, pending which Mr.. Spring
er moved to recommit with instructions, and
placed that motion in the form of a resolution
and preamble. The preamble sets forth that
a number of so-called depositions offered by
the contestant were never certified, and did
not show that any of the pretended witnesses
were sworn, and that some of the depositions
had been changed since the examination.
At this point Mr.. Reed of Maine objected to
further reading, claiming that the preamble
was merely speech, and made the point OF
ofder that it was not proper to be incorporated
in motion to recommit. In arguing his point
of order he stated that the allegations in the
preamble were untrue, and that the resolution
had come in under false pretences, inasmuch
as the gentleman from Illinois had merely
given notice that he would move to recon- mlt
with instructions
Mr.. Randall said that it was but due to the
gentleman from Illinois (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.
perfect good faith, and if the gentleman from
Maine (Reed) insisted to the contrary, he was
acting without the slightest foundation. Ii he
were the honorable gentleman that he (Spring-
err had always regarded him to be, he would,
in the face of the House and the country, with
hood. Did he do so?
Mr.. Reed-He does not.
Mr. Springer-Then I state that the gentle
man takes the chances of doing what n o hon
orable gentleman should do, in putting bad
motives and false motives to another member.
Mr.. Reed-I am ready to take it.
The Speaker ruled that the resolution was
not in order, on the ground that portions OF
the preamble were in the nature OF debate
Mr. Springer was successful, however, IN
getting tno WnOl6 OF Ine preaInDio IL lilo hoC-
ord by appealing from the decision OF the
chair. The appeal was laid on the table.
A motion by Mr. Springer to recommit, with
instructions to the committee to ascertain the
number of tissue ballots cast for either Lowe
or Wheeler, and to report resolution giving
the seat to the one having the highest number
of legal votes, after rejecting all such tissue
ballots, was lost-yeas go, nays 132-a party
vote, except Smith of New York, who voted
with the Republicans. The previous question
was then ordered, without division.
Mr. Hazelton of Wisconsin closed the de-
bate in an hours speech in favor of the con-
testant
The resolution declaring the contestant en-
titled to the seat was then adopted-yeas 149,
nays 3,-(Messis. Hardenberg, Phelps and
Rice of Ohio,) and Mr.. Lowe appeared at the
bar of the House and took the oath of office.