Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-25
A mossTRoUs OUTRAGE.

With the exception of the las: Tennessee
three infamy and next the sixty and-six bill
in contemptuous defiance to the popular
protest, the present session of Congress may
be regarded as the most corrupt body that
ever engaged in the farce of legislation. The
Republican majority scruples at no infamy.
1t has spent most of the present session in
turning out members elected by the people
and giving their places to defeated Republic
cans, with nothing to justify the outrage.
The success of the villainy that deprived
Tildep OF the presidency after he had
been elected by a majority of nearly
100000 and fois,ing upon the country
defeated candidate, has emboldened these
poachers upon the rights of the people, and
unless there be change the party majority
in Congress will make and unmake members
10 SUIT pzrry vxigency. But tho present
majority in Congress seems 10 be Influenced
by the mere love OF insulting and outraging
the Democratic party, for it has already a
majority, and from mere wantonness elects
from their seats Democrats constitutionally
and lawfully elected and gives their places
to Republicans overwhelmingly defeated be-
fore the people. On Thursday last the Re-
publican majority elected the Hon. George
d. Tillman, of South Carolina, and gave
his seat to Robert Smalls, colored contest
ant. This case is one of the most palpable
frauds that ever came before Congress in the
shape CT contested seat. OF Tillman's fair |
a,,d bo,ast al.ct;on thara ,uaa ,,,t a.. II ,Jo,
of doubt, but his colored competitor, know
Jog the spirit and temper of the narrow Re- |
publican majority, brought his contest with |
full assurance that it would be favorably |
acted upon, regardless of the merits of the |
case. In this instance, SO glariDg was the Il
outrage, the charm an Of the committee
by which the contest was considered--Mr.
to record his vote in favor OF seating the con-
iestant, and 80 voted in the negative. At first
ha voted @aYe.n in low and almost inaudible
tone, but before the result was announced
he changed his vote to the negative. Said
Mr.. Calkins, when his Republican colleagues
3 altered around 10 urge him to unite with
them in this iniquitous proceeding: "It is
no use appealing to me, gentlemen; cannot
reconcile my conscience to vote for Mr..
Smalls, and 1 therefore desire my vote re-
;Drded with the negative instead of the
Affirmative" But notwithstanding the con-
lest was fraudulent that so stannch Repub-
lican as Mr.. Cslkins could not violate his
tense Of decency and justice by voting to
'ustain il, the Republicans rushed to the breach
nd foroo1 fbofr ,v,to 1
% which he was never honestly elected. This
outrage but drives another nail in the coffin
he people of the country are preparing for
he present corrupt and extravagant Con-
.ress. The Republican majority which con-
titute the House of Representatives now
q session is about the meanest gang of sec
nd rate statesmen ever gathered in WASH
ngton, and the people will only be
DO glad to relegate them to the shades
I private life at the earliest oppor-
unity. If possible the action of the
louise, on Saturday, in depriving General !
kelley, of Alabama, of his seat was more
agrant than the expulsion of Mr.. Tillman :
easrsl Shelley was returned by large !
ajority over his Republican opponent,
udge Smith, and the charges of intimida-
on and irregularity were of the. flimsiest .
iaracter. About the time that the partisan 3
siority of the Elections Committee decided =
GUST General Shelley the contestant,
NTH, died, and as the regularly returned
ember has been ousted, Alabama is de-
lived of that full representation in Con-
ess to which she is entitled. Ex-Governor
1rtip, OF Pennsylvania, made a strong APP
'al 10 the Republicans not to perpetrate o
is outrage on a sovereign State, but the q
peal was unheeded, and partisanship q
pred another triumph over right and JUS u
%. The Republicans engage in much n
pocritical can't about free ballot and a 81
II count; but what is the use of either al
len in Congress they assume entire control al
the ballot-bsx, ignore the constituted 70
thorities OF the State, and make and uu- 81
Ike members of Congress to suit nj
, will of the majority. In a ne
ort time unless the people rise in their Isl
'jesty and check these outrages, certif- se
les OF election will be no evidence before st'
ngress, and the viii of the people will be nc
the mercy of the partisan majority. Ad- tn
utages thus gained cannot long be re- sn
ned. The people in the November cleo IN
MS will undoubtedly resent the attempt on an
} part of majority in Congress to elect IN
,gressmen, and will claim that this is the du
lction of congressional constituencies. ne
ngress may ascertain the qualifications mi
its members, but it has not the power g
Ter the constitution of self-perpetaation. lin
membership must represent the people, col
the mere opinion Of bare congressional prt
iority. COZ
cit