Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-01

WASHINGTON, May 81 3l-ImmedIately af ter
the reading OF the journal the House re
sumed consideration Of the Maekey -Dlbble
contested election case, and Mr.. Atherton,
OF Ohio, member Of the Committee on
Elections, presented the views of the mi =
nority upon the case, promising his remarks
with a denial Of the statement that the
Democratic side was afraid to enter into its
discussion.
He spoke for nearly two hours, combining
himself principally to an earnest discussion
of the allegations of fraud and forgery in
the testimony presented before the Commit
tee on Elections. He was frequently inter
rupted by Republican members of that
committee, aad a good deal Of confusion
ensued, but the debate throughout was con-
Quoted in perfect good temper, and the
manner in which Mr.. Atherton presented
the points upon which the minority relied
ELECTED several rounds Of applause from hi;
party associates.
Mr.. RanneY, OF Massachusetts,, a member
OF The Committee on Elections, spoke In
favor Of the msjOrity report, chsracterizing
as empty the allegation Of forgery in the
testimony. IL he believed in that allegation
he would not sacrifice his honor and man
hood by attempting to smother Its inVesti-
cation. He reviewed the circumstances of
the case, stating that ia the election there
had been fraud refined aud cheating reduced
to science, aud then proceeded, amid much
laughter and applause, to detail the labOrs
of he Committee on Elections in their con
eide alton OF the whole subject.
Ar. MOultOn, OF Illinois, followed with an
ar gument in support of the claims of Mr..
Di5ble to be retained in his seat.
Mr.. Jones, Of Texas, spoke in advocacy
Of the claims Of Mackey, and then, at five
O'Clock, Mr. Calkins demanded the previous
question, pending which Mr.. Randall moved
TO recOmmit the report to the Committee on
Elections, with instructions to the commit
tee to inquire into the authenticity aud in
tegrity of all dispositions, re,urns and evil
deuce, OF whatever character, produced In
the case of Mackey We. O'COnnor.
The mo ion was lOst-yeas 81. nays 137.
The previous question was then ordered
yeas Isl, nays l.
After a brief speech by Mr.. Evans, of
S Sluth Carolina, in opposition to the ma
jOrty report, the cOntestee (Mr. Dlbble)
was accorded the floor to close the debate
in his own behalf. He reviewed in detail
the history OF the case, and criticised Sc
verely the action of the Committee OF
Elections on declining to investigate the
allegations of forgery made by him, and
quoted extensively from the testimony in
order 20 sustain the truth Of those sllega-
lions. lie was frequently applauded by tae
Democraticlside.
Mr.. Csl1ins, of Indiana, In brief speech
closed the discussion. He had been sur
prised at the manner In which the Com
mtttee on E eetions had been abused and
maligned. With the fear of God before his
eyes and the fear of no man at heart, he de-
elared that If there had ever been an cleo
| tiOn case fairly an honorably tried by any
committee, it was the case being now con-
sidered. Applause on the Republican
side In conclusion Mr.. Calkins delivered
a peroratiOn upon the necessity of preserv-
ing the purity of the ballot box, which was
greeted with round OF applause from the
Republicans.
In the midst Of this applause Mr..
S Springer, OF Illinois, rose and called atten-
tiOn to the manner 10 which the Republican
party had preserved the purity OF the ballot
box in 1876. when It had inaugurated as
President man who never had been elected.
He was called to order bY several members
on the Republican side, but he continued to
speak, though his remarks were inaudible
on account Of the confusion, until called to
order by the Speaker.
The point was made that the remarks
made by Mr.. Springer should not 60 into
the Record.
The Speaker sUs' aimed the point, but Mr..
Sprioger said that il they did not go into the
Record, they would at least go to the
country.
Hardly had be taken his seat when Mr..
Mills, Of Texas, appeared in the main aisle,
ges ieulating excitedly, and charged the
Republican party with having defrauded
hfa rannr1e in 1N1h
Again cries Of "order" went up from the
Republican side, which were mingled with
shouts OF ''see how they squirm," and de
risive laughter rendered the scene a noisy
a. d confused one. Mr.. Mills continued
with his remarks until the Speaker stated
that he would request the Sergeant-at-Arms
TO preserve order.
Yes, replied Mr.. Mills, the Speaker can
preserve order and suppress the record, but
lie can never blot from the history Of this
country that treason against the govern
meut.
The resolution seating Mackey was then
| adopted-Yeas $50; nays Sand Msckey ap-
! peared az the bar Of the House and was
| sworn in.
Mr. McLane, of Maryland, then rose to q
question Of order and privilege, and sent to
| ne Clerks desk a resolution recitIng the
fact that the House, In the exercise OF the
mower expressly conferred upon it by the
Constitution, has ordained and established a
/ code OF rules for the government OF Its pro
ceedlngs and for the guidance OF its presid
/ iag officer; and also reciti3g the facts In
/ connection with the Speakers refusing to
entertain the motions and appeals OF Mr..
Springer on Monday last, declaring that be
Ras not allowed his right as Representative
/ II the p, Ople to submit motions affecting
/ the merits of the measure then pending
ind that this right of the House to construe
its own rules was not accorded. Also de.
/ claring that It is the duty of the House tO
maintain the integrity and regularity OF its
! proce eediugs aud 10 preserve the rights and
/ privileges Of its members, and therefore re-
/ solving
That in the Judgment of the House the
said motions aud appeals were in order al
the time they we're made, and taken under
he existing rules, ought to have been en-
t-rtsined aud submitted by the Speaker to
the House for its action thereon, and also
| resolving,
Tlat said decision and ruling of the Chair,
aud mis- refusal to allow appeals therefrom,
" re arbitrary, and are condemned and cen
sure by this House.
While the preamble and resolutions were
being read more than half the members on
each side were on their feet and showing
great excitement, and as soon as the read
ing was concluded Mr.. Reed, of Maine,
moved to lay the II on the table.
Mr.. Hiscoek, of New York, simultane-
ouslY asked Of the Speaker whether the
resolutions were offered as question Of
privilege.
The Speaker stated in reply that the gen.
tleman from Maryland had advised the
Chair that he had certain es0lutiOns which
rela.ed to the parliamentary action OF the
msi1rity. The Chair had distinctly asked
him whether they were personal to the
Speaker and had been told that they were
Mr.. Melancholy are not personal to
The Speaker.
Several Repu5lIcans-Whsta are they then?
They censure him.
MT. McLane-I stated distinctly to the
Chair that the resolution arraigned the ac-
lion of the Chair and of the majority Of the
House.
The spesker-The Chair distinctly un-
derstood that they had no personal applica-
tiOn 10 the Speaker, otherwise the present
occupant of the Chair would have taken
occasion TO have left the Chair In this situ-
a,ion, and, having made that statement, the
Chair would very much prefer not to rule on
the point OF order presented by the gentle
man from New York (Mr. HiscOek), but to
allow the motion Of the gentleman from
Maine (Mr. Reed to be put.
A chorus Of Republican members-Ihat's
right.
The speaker-The present occupant Of
the chair. however, is clearly OF the opinion
that the resolutions are entirely outside OF
privlledged questions.
Mr.. O'Neill, OF Pennsylvania-IheC CHAIR
Is quite right.
The speaker-It is not ia order as q ques-
lion OF privilege for one side OF the House
% srraign the other side.