Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-21
A STARTLING STORY
Frsm the Unpublished History OF
the Houses Last Ses sion.
How ksnna Figured in Scheme to Usurp
the Chair and Defeat Republican
Rapaeity-keifsTs 0es-
perate Resolution.
A BLOODY BUSINESS PREVENTED.

A BLOODY BUSINESS PREVENTED.
CINCINNATI, o., November 20.-The En-
quirer OF to-day has the following remarka-
bic story connected with the fight over con-
tested seats, showing how the Democrats
had resolved to down the Republicans by
making q sudden dash for the chair and
dethroning Keifer. The story is:
One of the best kept secrets of the last
session of Congress was the story of
startling episode Of the fight over the con-
tested seats in the Hsuss. So well kept
was it that its appearance at this late day
seems almost to discredit the recital, end,
indeed, the details are as yet imperfectly,
knowR except to those who were the actors
in the affair; but the main thread Of the
story comes so directly and with such con-
yiDcing evidence of its truth that it is the
plain province of journalism to give it to
the world. 1t seems that the high handed
proceedings of the majority in the House,
to throw out all Democratic members
whose seats were contested even on trivial
grounds, led Congress to the verge of |
bloody rupture and revolution. Metaphor
ically speaking, there was
Powder Magazine
under the Capitol, and the fuse leading to it \
was lighted; but an explosion was ayerted |
by premature exposure of the arrange |
ments to those who were expected to |
mount highest in the atmosphere VIXEN the
mine should "let go" The story, as re.
lated to me with much impressiveness and
sincerity, is to the effect following: Arbi-
trary rules had been adopted placing extra
ordinary power in the hands Of the Speaker,
and it was known that that officer would
firmly exercise the power vested in him,
and that the result would be the unseating
of the Democratic members whose seats
were contested, unless something equally |
should be done on the Dem.
ocratic side. The Democrats had gallantly
fought the majority at every step, and felt
now that they had only been brought to
bay by an outrageous and indecent pro-
ceeding At
Democratic CaueuS
ii was determined that the Republicans
should not have a monopoly Of unusual
methods. How many Democratic mem
bers were engaged in this caucus am un-
able at this writing to say, but it seems
that q sufficient number must have been
Cognizant Of the arrangement to carry out
the scheme had it not been prematurely
conveyed to the enemy. 1t was resolved
that on the presentation in the House
next day Of certain report which
would finally bring up the contested
election cases, and be the signal for
the rigid application of the arbitrary rules
which had been adopted, a Democratic
member should make a motion calculated
TO Overturn things. / have not yet been
able to ascertain the form of this motion,
but il was of such q character that, should
il prevail, it would defeat the Republican
and give the Democrats whose
seats were contested q chance for their Off
cial lives. 1t was absolutely certain that
Speaker Keller, under the new rules, would
not entertain the motion, and the next
question was how to get 1t before the
House.
r~a resolved unOn-a stroke IT. L, -
been carried out, would have convinced the
Republican members that they had no pat
ent on audacity. 1t was arranged that the
Hon. John E. Kenna, Democratic member
of Congress from the Third District OF
West Virginia, should Immediately upon
hearing the motion above alluded to rush
to the Speakers desk and put the motion
to the House before General helter or any
other of the Republican members could
have time to comprehend the nature o. the
Droceedinss Mr.. Kenna was selected for
the work because be was dashlng, tearleSs
man with the aggressive qualities OF lead
arship necessary 10 such an undertaking
The moment the motion was made he was
to
Rush to the Speakers Desk.
put il to the House, and promptly receive
the affirmative voice of the Democrats in
the scheme, who were TO vote with emPha-
SIS, so as to give their affirmation weight.
Then the negative vote was 10 be called
for. but it was agreed that the Republicans
would naturally be momentarily dazed oy
the proceedings; that there would oe no
response, and that before they could recoY,
or from their aStonishment henna couLd
declare the notion carried. The plan vas
Cornmnnicated to Speaker Keifer, by some
means that will probably never be knowr,
the night before il was carried out. He
licked upnn the matter with great serious
ness and il is easy to believe the report
that he became msch excited, pacing MS
room and endeavoring TO devise some
means TO head OFF the Democratic schemers.
He fully appreciated the damaging erect
Of an
Open Usurpation
Of his authority. Whatever may have
been his views as to the outrageous course
of the majority, he regarded it as his PLAIN
duty. as the Speaker of the House and as
the leader Of his party in the body, to fully
exercise the powers placed in his hands
He was thoroughly loyal to his trust, ha1
. clear comprenension of results, and hsd \
the personsl courage to do whatever might |
he done to avert what he regarded as reYo- |
luton. His army associates unanimously |
testify that he WAS daredevil IN |
battIs and that when il comes 10 ques- !
tiOn OF courage he can De relied on IN any |
emergency His first resolution was 10 |
nreysDt the carving out OF the scheme oy
Ee.na At All hazards and 70 De fully egalp-
ned for the most extreme SITUATION. lhose
who know Eeifer well, and who are &C
ouainted with the circumstances OF tniS
remsrkable episode, say that kennas Dte
UouId not have been worth bauoee had
II stood in the way of the Speakers dis-
charge of the duties of his office, all other
means OF preventing the revolution" hay-
ing been exhausted.
Sneaker Keifer,
having provided himself with the means
of giving Mr. Kenna very hot reception,
xbould he make q well-de6ned movement
toward carrying out the alleged Democratic
programme, and fully determined to give
hattie If the worst came, and to make
snsne in the House without parallel IN
the history Of American politics, next set
.bout seeking some method Of preventing
| snch dire necessity. The next important
step in the story is the alleged appearance
| of Hon. J. c. s. Blackburn a. ePeaSer