Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
TUESDAY, MAY so.

read, Mr.. Springer objected to its approval on
the ground that it omitted all reference to tive
very important motions which he made from the
speakers refusal to entertain them. He had the
official report on the subject read from The Con-
gresstonaL Record, and then moved TO have the
journal corrected to include those two
motions, which were to lay on the table the report
of the committee on rules and to recommit the re-
port with instructions gether with the speakers
refusing TO entertain them; his (Springer's) ap-
peals from such refusal declining to entertain
them. Mr.. Springer pointed out similar cases in
the recent proceedings of the house, where
motions not entertained were jeurnalized. He
argued that the motions were not proper, and
should have appeared on the journal, which would
| show correctly and truthfully what was done
even though the journal might then contain a con-
demnatlon OF the man who sat in the speakers
liean side, and declaration by the speaker that
the gentleman was not in order.) 1 have
THE RIGHT TO SPEAK
II am not in order let my words be taken
down.
The Speaker-The chair can very well afford
MIR. Springer attempted, amid excitement and
confusion, to proceed with his remarks, but WGs
told peremptorily by the speaker that the SER
geant-at-arms would be directed to force him,
at least, to desist.
The democratic members gathered around
Springer. giving him aid and encouragement
while many republican members were also on
their feet. protesting angrily against Springers
course.
Mr.. Knott, after some further colloouy, made
| a constitutional argument in support of Mr.
! Springer's position. He had as high respect for
! the speaker as any other member had yet he
could not say the speaker was infallible, or in
capable OF making mistake When the
| speaker refused to entertain motion that was
perfectly legitimate, in such refusal he could
not say the speaker was not mistaken. On the
| contrary, he saw that the speaker was mistaken
because the rules give
RIGHT TO APPEAL
from the decision of the chair.
The speaker admitted the accuracy of the gen.
eral proposition stated by Mr.. Knott, but repeat
ed that the journal clerk had acted strictly in
| obedience to the rules.
After further remarks by Messrs Burrows
kasSon, Kelley and Randall, the motion to cor
| rect the journal was rejected.
| Mr. Miller then started with the opening of his
contested election case of Mackey against 0'Con-
nor, but had not finished the first sentence when
the attention of the speaker was called by the
democratic members to the fact that the journal
had not yet been approved, and the vote was
| called for on approval. As the vote proceeded,
the democrats withheld their votes and there was
a likelihood of a failure of a quorum, but an
active
! hunt AFTER REPUBLICAN ABsENTEEs
and the fact that Wilson and Morse who were
paired, carried out their promise to vote if neces-
| sary to make quorum, resulted in 146 yeas and
| ) nays so the journal of Yesterday was approved
Mr.. Miller then proceeded with his speech in
favor of the report of the election committee in
| the case of Mackey against O'COnnor.
The discussion was continued by Mr.. Davis of
Missouri, against the report, and by Mr.. Paul of
| Virginia in favor.
Thereupon Mr.. Calkins withdrew the notice
he had given that he would call the previous
question at tomorrow, and stated that he
would call it earlier.
Several democrats (defantly( Call it now.
| Mr.. Reed, of Maine-And if this matter
pinches somewhere it is not the fault of this side
| MIR. Randall-Oh, we have passed the pinch.
| Mr.. Reed-You are still groaning under it.
The house then, on motion OF Mr.. Calkins, ad-
journed.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 81.
Senate-.A bill was reported by Sewell from the
committee military affairs with amendments,
for the relief of Fitz ohm Porter.
Senator Bayard gave notice that on Friday he
would move the consideration of the bonded
! spirits BILL
A motion for executive session by Cameron, of
Pennsylvania, prevailed, yeas, 26; nays, 16; and
when the doors were reopened the Japanese in
| demnity bill was taken UP.
! HOuse-The house resumed consideration of
| the Mackey-Dibble contested election case, and
member of the committee elections presented
the views of the minority.
| Mr.. Ranney of Mass, member of the commit
tee on elections spoke in support of the majority
report.
Mr. Moulton of Illinois. followed with an ar
gument in support Of the claims of Dibble to his
seat
Mr.. Jones, of Tex, spoke in advocacy of the
| claim of Mackey, and then at o'clock Mr.. Cal
| kins demanded the previous question pending,
which Mr.. Randall moved to recommit to the
! committee on elections with instructions that
| the committee enquire into the authen-
ITCHY and integrity of all dispositions and
returns, and evidence of whatever character
procuced in the cases of Mackey and 0'Connor;
lost, yeas 81, nays 1877. !The previous questi on
was then ordered; yeas Isl, nays1
After brief speech by Evans Is. C) in oppo-
sition to the majority report, contestee Dibble
was accorded the floor to close the debate in his
own behalf. He reviewed in detail the history of
the case, critsed severely the action of the CON-
mittee elections in declining to investigate the
allegation of forgery made by him, and quoted
expressly from testimony in order to sustain the
truth of those allegations. He was frequently
pplauded by the democratic side.
Mr.. Calkins, Qnd.) in brief speech closed the
discussion. (ApplaL.e republican side.)
In the midst of this applause Springer, of ILL.,,
called attention to the manner in which the re-
publican party had preserved purity of the ballot
box in 1876, when it had inaugurated president
| man who never had been elected. He was
called to order by some members on the republi-
can side OF the house, but continued to speak
(though his remarks were inaudible on account of
the confusion) until called to order by the speak
| er. The point was made that the remarks made
bY Springer should not 90 into the record. The
speaker sustained the point but Springer said if
they did not go into the reQord they at least 90 to
the country. Hardly had he taken his seat when
, Mills, of Texas, appeared in the main aisle,
gesticulating excitedlY, and charged the republi-
can party with having defrauded the people in
1876 Again cries for "Order' went up from the
republican side which, mingled with shouts, "See
how they squirm, and derisive laughter, rendered
the scene a noisy pqd confusing one.
Mr. Mills continued with his remarks until the
speaker stated he would direct the sergeant at
arms to preserve order. Yes" replied Mills
"the speaker can preserve order and suppress the
record, but he can never blot from the history of
this country, that this is treason against the gov
eminent"
The resolution seating Mackey, Wa. then
adopted; yeas 15O nays 3, and Mackey appear
ed at the bar of the house and was sworn Ia.
Mr.. McLane rose to a question of ririlege
and sent to the clerks desk resolution retiting
the fact that the house in excess of power ex-
pressly conferred upon it by the constitution has
ord cred and established code of rules for the
government Of its proceedings and for the guild.
ance of its presiding officers; also reciting facts
in connection with the speaker refusing to enter
tain a motion, declaring he was not allowed his
right a representative of the people to submit
motions affecting the merits of a measure then
pending.
While the preamble and resolutions were being
read more than one-half of the members on both
sides were on their feet and showing great excite
ment and as soon as reading was concluded Mr..
Reed, of Maine, moved to lay the resolution on
the table.