The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-08
Seating Mackey.

The New York Times Washington cores
pondent, May 31ss, gives the following account
of the scenes and incidents in the House on
the occasion of the final action in the case
of Mackey vs. Dibble, for the seat in Congress
from the End district of South Carolina.
Up to this time the session had been orderly
one, but when the settlement Of the question became
close at hand, and the baffied Democrats saw that
they could no longer oppose righteous adjust
ment of the contest, the trouble began. While the
Republicans were applaudtng Mr.. Calkin's perora-
that they had shown their desire for pure elections
by inaugurating Hayes after Ttden had been elect
der from the Republican side, but he continued to
speak until called to order by the Speaker. Then
Republicans made the point that Mr.. Sprtngers re-
marks oughtnot to appear In the Record rms
point sustained, but Springer cried that II they
did not get into the Record they would go to the
country. Mr.. Mills. Of Texas, also became excited,
and, with many warltke gestures, repeated the
charge of fraud in 1876 Great confusion followed.
The Republicans derided their opponents, and
above the din many expressions were heard from
the Republican side which were not OF nature to
restore quiet. Not until the Speaker threatened to
direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to suppress him did
Mr. Mills cease speaking. AS he sat down he yell
ed: ssThe Speaker can preserve order and suppress
the Record, but he can never blot from the history
of the country that treason against the Govern
ment."
Then after one Of the most memorable Of parlia-
mentary struggles, the resolution seating Mackey
was passed BY a vote of $50 to 3 and the new mem
Der came up to the bar and was sworn in.
81 rise to q question Of privilege, said Mr. NC
Lane. of Maryland. long resolution had been
prepared by the Democrats, assatling the action
taken by the Speaker on Monday in refusing to en-
terrain Mr., Springer's dtatory motions of his ap-
peals The preamble recited the facts in detail,
and the resolution declared that in the Judgment OF
the House the motions and appeals ought to have
been entertained and that the rulings Of the Chair
and his refusal to entertain the motions and ap-
SS sns of this
upon the Chair caused great excitement and nearly
every member sprang to his feet. Mr.. Reed moved
to lay the resolution upon the table question
arose then as to whether the resolution was really
a question of privilege. The Speaker said, In an
swer to Mr.. Hiscock's point Of order bearing upon
this, that Mr. McLane had told him beforehand that
the resolution related to the parliamentary action
OF the majority and was not personal to the CHAIR.
Mr.. McLane held that 1t was not personal, but the
Republicans reminded him that the resolution CEN
the Speaker. The Speaker said that If he had
not distinctly understood that it was not personal
he would have left the chair while the resolution
was under consideration. He preferred to put the
question on the motion to lay the table and not
rule the point of order He was clear that the
resolution was not privileged question. The DEM
ocrats kindly reminded MIN tnat ne mao Inc rghs
post Of duty" the Speaker replied. The House
then became uproariously out OF order. The Speak
er's desire to put Mr.. Reeds motion enraged the
Democrats, who claimed that Mr.. McLane had a
right be heard in support OF his resolution, and
declared that Mr.. Reed had no right to take him
from the floor. The point of order was withdrawn,
and the Republicans demanded vote. 80 great
was the confusion that 1t was with d1Hcuity that
any voice could be heard or understood. Mr.. Cox
last yelled that the Speaker should leave the chair
before putting the motion, and the Speaker replied
that no rule required him to do 80. Mr. Blackburn
also came to the rescue of Mr.. McLane, and with
Mr.. Cox, was shouting in his behalf, while uproar
on all sides drowned their voices Mr.. Miller, OF
Pennsylvania, told Mr. Cox to sit down. Mr.. Cox
walked over until he almost reached the Pennsylva
mia member, and shook his fist In his face. This
encounter was very amusing and the House began
to laugh.
The speaker at last ruled with emphasis that the
motion was not debatable. The storm arose once
more. and Republican members denounced Mr..
Cox for violating the rules. The Speaker called him
to order and told him that he must respect the
replied Mr. Cox, SIT the Chair would respect ITSELF"
After Mr. Randolph had made another protest In
behalf Of Mr.. McLane, controversy arose Detween
by the Speaker, who attempted to put the question
on the motion to lay on the table. He was not al
lowed to do this until Mr.. McLane and his allies
had repeated their angry protests but at last the
House became comparatively quiet and the roll was
called. The resolution of censure was tabled by
The Republicans did not choose to adjourn until
work had been mapped out for another day, and
hack called up the Florida contested election case
Of Bisbee against Finley. Mr.. Randall raised the
question Of consideration, and the House voted-l49
to Ito go on with the case The negative votes
were cast by Messrs. Phelps and Hardenbergh.-
The House then adjourned.
From time 70 time during the present session there
have been scenes great confusion and disorder In
the House, but the scene this evening surpassed
them all in violations of the rules and general up
roar Sometimes members almost came to blows.
All the partisan bitterness OF the baff1ed minority
WAS disclosed and anger was increased by the
words the sas
only in behalf OF the election CONTESTS, but also TO
assist in the passage Of Jobs upon the Naval Appro
priation bill, which has not yet been reported py
Mr, Ropeson This is a very weak argument against
the Of the majority, for II an attempt should
be made to put the new rules 70 any sucn use tne
they have praised them for their action In pena
OF tho preservation Of the purity of elections.