Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-27

Repsbliean Caacas Of the Representa-
lives Of the House.

WAsHrxeroS. hay 26.
Immediately after adjournment Of the House
TODAY n largely attended caucus OF the repuo-
lican members was held
The situation in the House was discussed
and the prevailing sentiment Was in favor OF
. strict adherence to the present policy.
Mr.. Hubbell and Mr.. Haskell we're the only
speakers who expressed conservative views.
Members of the elections committee ex-
planned infinitely the details of the Mac
kew DibbIe election case and claimed tnat
the charges of fraud had been thoroughly m
vestigated BY the committee. and that the re-
port Of the majority was fully justified by the
facts in the case.
Representative Reed. Chairman of the Ju-
dietary Committee, said that it was perfectly
evident. from full and ample explanations
made by election comLIittee, that all ma
terial allegations of fraud had been fairly
tried before the Election Committee with pa
thence, and decided. after abundant hearing,
that Mr.. Dibble himself. after denurring to
the Jurisdiction Committee and claiming
that he could not be made a party to the con-
test, had consented to the form and sub
stance of the affidavits. and that the com
miitee had based its report upon the maJori-
ties admitted by democratic election mana
gers themselves.
He proceeded to argue that the only ap-
peal from the decision of the committee
was to the House. that the House could not
properly decide upon any course of action
without full discussion. That to act on the
asseverations of disappointed and guilty
litigant without discussion, would be an
insult to the committee whose
fairness even Blackburn and Carlisle
today. had been forced to admit, in
the House. that there was only one course to
pursue and that was to discuss the matter
before the world and prove to everybody the
baselessness of this last resort of procastinat.
ing guilt. "Let US, he continued, "make
this a fair and open proposition to discuss,
and in the face of the country vote on the
question of recommittal. If the minority
refuse such proposition, and persist in their
attempt to suSvert the constitution by trying
to vest in Governors of States the power to
lodged in the House, of deciding who are lite
members, we must invokel the power of the
constitution and ride over their factions and
partisan distractions"
Short speeches were made by number of
representatives, all enthusiastically counsel
ling a continuation of the struggle.
Mr.. Reed then offered the following pre-
amble and resolution for presentation in the
House, tomorrow, and they were unanimous
ly adopted.
proposition having been submitted to
the House by Blackburn, on behalf of the
minority, the majority submit the following
Whereas we are entirely satisfied that the
allegation made by Samuel Dibble as to the
forgery and falsified evidence have been
fully, fairly and extensively considered by
the committee on election and arguments
thereon have been fully heard, and whereas
the cause now comes up for consideration in
the House thereon, and as the House cannot
vote intelligently with no guide except on the
mere allegation of one side on any propos-
itiOn to refer to a new committee the ques-
ton which already has been considered by
an appropriate committee. but must have the
benefit of full and free discussion in order
to enable the House to decide the question
Understandings, therefore we submit the
following proposition:
Resolved, Thatthe House Immediately pro-
ceedto the consideration of the Mackey- Dibble
case and after six housr discussion
the House shall vote on the question of re-
committal by a yea and nav vote, and if the
House shall decide this in the negative, it
shall thereupon continue to consider the case
until it be finished with dilatory motions.
Caucus then adjourned.