National Republican., 1882-07-21
House OF rRcprescntatlyes.

Mr.. Calkins called up the resolution offered by
him Wednesday, reciting that II has been asserted
by Mr.. Blackburn that a mistake made by the
tally clerk in footing Up roll call was ialsif-
cation OF the record, and directing special cCm
mittee OF three members to inquire into the mat
Mr.. Blackburn having denied that he made any
charge, Mr.. Cal kins amended the resolution SO as
10 make 1t conform with that statement.
After some debate tho resolution was with
drawn.
Mr. Page submitted the conference report upon
the river aud harbor appropriation bill, but as
there were indications that its consideration
would consume large portion OF the day it was
The House then resumed the consideration of
the Alabama contested election case of Smith VS..
Shelley.
Mr.. Ranney presented the case for the majority,
reviewing the facts as shown by the testimony,
asserting that there was not fair and free elec
tion in the fourth district of Alabama, and urging
that inasnuch as the contestant who had been
legally elected had recently died, the seat should
be declared vacant.
The case of the contestee was presented and
argued by Mr. Beltzhoover, who quoted from the
record to strengthen his assertion that the sitting
member was entitled to retain the seat
Mr.. Curtin, i'll n brief speech, dwelt upon the
necessity of members determining election cases
as judges, not as legislators or as partisans, and
advocated the adoption of some system whereby
another tribunal should be charged with the duty
Ailer speech by Mr.. Oates, in favor of the sit
ting member, the previous question was ordered
yeas, 1i5; nays, l (Hardenberg). Mr.. Calkins
closed the debate in support of the majority re-
port, and reviewed the action of the Committee on
Elections of the present Congress, which, he con-
tended, would challenge comparison with the
action of any committee on elections during the
last twenty five years. The committee had been
confronted at the beginning of the session by
twenty-five contested election cases of which
eighteen Uncluding The pending one) had been
disposed Of OF this number six contestees had
been ousted and five Contestants seated, Twelve
cases had been reported in favor OF tho conestees
and all of these, with one exception, were Demo-
Gratis. If the committee had erred, 1t had erred
hn IiiFn nt tha nm
ittee was to give effect to the voice of the people
expressed by majority. III conclusion be
made strong appeal ior free ballot and a fair
count throughout the country.
Mr.. Springer interrupted him to inquire what
the Republicans intended to do with ali their cor
rupton fund and whether the Republican cam
the fine imposed upon Gen. n. NJ. Curtis, one Of
the collectors of the two per cent. assessment but
Mr.. Calkins merely replied by stating that the
campaign committee knew how to take care of
the Two per cent. assessment a statement which
Mr.. Springer declined to controvert.
Mr.. Springer's question was based upon dis
patch received by Mr.. Willis from Il. J.. Wheeler
to the effect that The circuit court held the statute
against political assessments constitutional, and
fined Curtis $1,000.
The resolution declaring the seat vacant was
then ado ltid-yeas, i4j nays, l.
Mr.. Townshen'i, of Illinois, Immediately moved
to adjourn, but this motion being opposed by the
Republicans wAa voted down-yeas, 5S; nays, 1870.
Mr.. Reed called up the resolution reported by
the Committee on Rules on the Sth of March for
the amendment uf the rules so as to provide that
during the mornins hour 1t shall be in order TO
consider such bills reported from committees as
the Committee In charge shall direct 1t also pro-
rides for the designation by committee of the
into Committee of the Whole. Mr. Reed so modi-
fled the resolution as TO provide for its going into
effect on the first day of next session.
Mr.. Blackburn raised the question of considern-
tion, and the Democrats rcfraiued from voting,
thus leaving tho House without quorum.
The House then lat 5:55) adjourned.