New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-21
TRIUuPH FOR THE MINORITY.
OWING TO THE ABSENCE OF REPUBLICAN con-
GREssMEN THE DEMOCRATS PREVENT THE CON
sIpEEATIoN OF A CONTESTED ELECTION CASE.
..rLLL.

OWING TO THE ABSENCE OF REPUBLICAN CON-
GREssMEN TIE DEMOCRATS PREVENT THE con
slpEIsArIoN OF A CONTESTED ELECTION CASE.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBCNEl
WASHINGTON, May 20.-MOre than ninety-three
years have elapsed since the first session OF the first
Congress assembled under the Constitution. In the
course of that long period the election of many Rep
resentatiyes has been disputed and hundreds of
cases of contest have been tried and adjudicated
but never until tais day did minority OF Cle HoNse
of representatives attempt by filibusering to pre-
vent the consideration of an election case. On
some cases minOrites have flibustered in order to
secure an opportunity to discuss the merits of such
q case or to emphasize what they believed to be a
partisan decision of case but never before did
minority dare to say to the majority This case shall
not be tried at all if we prevent it,"
This is what the minority virtually did to-day
under the brave leadership of Samuel j. Randall,
who was a candidate for the Democratic Preslden-
tial nomination at Cincinnati only two years ago
ON n platforn which declared that the right to a
free ballot is the right preservatiye OF all rights,
and must and shall be maintained III every part OF
tbe Irnited States" Judging by the conduct of the
Democrats in the House of Representatives to-day,
the foregoing resolution ought to be amended by
adding the words Except such Congressional dis
tricts in the South as contain majority of Repub-
lcon votersv 1t is so common n thing. however,
for the Democratic party the House to give the
lie TO It's platform professions that it perhaps de-
serves no comment.
When Chairman Calllins, of the Elections Com
mittce called up the contested election case from
the Hid South Carolina District this morning. Mr..
Randall Immediately raised the question of consid-
eration and on a yea and nay vote 1t was decided
in the affirmative by 11S to l. every Democrat pres
ent except Mr. Phelps, Of Connecticut refusing to
respond to his name. Mr.. Randall immediately
made the point that a quorum had not voted. winch
was very true, for quorum OF the House consists
of 147 members. Twenty-cight more werc there
fore. necessary, and thirty three Republican MEM
bers were absent. call of the House, which was
Immediately ordered. showed that 2l7 members
were actually present. and that among them were
nearly 100 Democrats who sulenly refused TO vote
at all The calling of the roll revealed the rather
unpleasant and discouraging fact that twenty-five
Republican members were still absent only eight
having come in. The absentees were MeSsrs. Bow
man, Browne, Camp Cornell, Crowley, Errett u Is.
Farwcll, Harner Hawk, Hill, Norr, llubbs, Joyce,
Ketcham Lindsey, Mason, Reed, Shallenberger'
Sherwin Wadsworth. Walker. W&shburn, watson,
Van Voorhis and Young. 1t is understood that
Messrs Brown, Lindsey and Reed arc absent on ac-
count of illness Mr. Washburn has not get re-
turned from the funeral of his brother, exGovcrnor
Washburn. Messrs. Van Voorhs and Young were
on their way to the Capitol, and arrived few mo-
ments after the doors closed and warrants I'-
sued for the arrest of absentees
A second call of the House ordered about 8
o'clock after Messrs Brewer and Jones, OF New
York had been excused for the remainder OF the day
on account of illness. That call showed that the
following named Republicans were absent: Messrs
Belford, Bowman, Brewer, Browne, Camp, Cornell
Crowley Errett, c. b. Farwel tIarmer, Hawk
Hill Horr Hubbs. Jones of New-Jersey, JOrgensen
joyce Ketcham, Lindsey, Mason, Mckinley, rage
Reed Shallenberger, Shcrwin, Wadsworth, Walker
Washburn and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III all An
other vote was then taken, which resulted
llo to 2-26 less than quorum. Chairman
Calkins realized that it would be futile to continue
the struggle longer to-day, there being no prospect
of a break in the Democratic ranks, and he there
fore moved an adjournment, which was carried
amidst hearty Democratic applause. lie has re-
ceiyed promises from Republican absentees Wmch
Indicate that the majority will be able to muster
quorum as soon as next Tuesday. Inc eHOrt To Sc
cure the consideration OF the pending case WILL
however according to the present lntentloi De re-
newed and continued nexJ Monday, ana upon the
Democratic minority will rest the responsibility IL
that effort shall fail On their part, the Democrats
appear to stand firm and united in the detrrnlna-
ton that. If they can by any means prevent IT, no
contested election ease in which the Elections COM
mittee has reported or may report in favor Of Re
publican contestant shah ever be tried by tho
House. no matter how thoroughly saturated with
fraud may DO the title OF the sitting meabI' LUIS