Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-06-01
The Seating of Maoksy-scene in the House,

LII the House OF Representatives yester-
day evening, after the debate in the South
Carolina contested election case, Mr.. Calkins
demanded the previous question, pending
which Mr.. Randall moved to recommit the
report Of the Committee on Elections, with
instructions to that committee to inquire
into the authenticity and integrity of all
dispositions, returns, and evidence, of what
ever character, produced in the case of Mac
key VS. O'Connor.
The motion was lost-yeas, 81; nays, 1877.
The previous question was then ordered
yeas, ISL nays, l.
After brief speeches by Messrs Evins and
Calkins, and at the close of the latter's re-
marks, Mr.. Springer called attention to the
manner in which the republican party had
preserved the purity of the ballot-box in
1876, when it had inaugurated as President
a man who never had been elected He
was called to order by several members on
the republican side, but continued to speak
! Though his remarks were inaudible on &C
count 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 sustained the point, but Mr.
Springer stated that if they did not 60 into
the Record they would at least 60 to the
country
Hardly had he taken his seat when Mr.
Mills appeared in the main aisle, gesticu-
lating eXcitedly, and charged the republi-
can party with having defrauded the people
in 1876. Again cries for "order" went up
from the republican side, which, mingled
with shouts of ''See how they squirm % and
derisive laughter, rendered the scene noisy
and confusing one.
Mr.. Mills continued with his remarks until
the Speaker stated that he would direct the
Sergeant-at-Arms to preserve order.
Yes" replied Mr.. Mills, ''the Speaker
can preserve order and suppress the record,
but he can never blot from the history of
the country that treason against the govern
ment."
The resolution seating Mackey was then
adopted-yeas $50, nays 8, and he appeared
at the bar and was sworn in.
Mr.. Mclean then rose to q question of
privilege, and sent to the clerks desk a
resolution recititing the fact that the House
ferred upon it by the Constitution has Or
dained and established code of rules for
the government of its proceedings and for
the guidance Of it presiding officer; also re-
citing the facts in connection with the
Speakers refusing to entertain the motions
and appeals of Mr.. Springer OH Monday last;
declaring that he was not allowed his right
as representative of the people to submit
motions affecting the merits of the measure
then pending; and that thus the right ofthe
House to construe its own rules was not ac-
corded; also declaring that it is the duty of
the House to maintain the integrity and
regularity of its proceedings, and to preserve
the rights and privileges of its members, and
therefore resolving that in the judgment of
the House the said motions and appeals
were in order at the time they were made and
taken, under the existing rules, and ought
to have been entertained and submitted by
the Speaker to the House for its action
thereon; also resolving that the said dec-
sion and ruling Of the Chair, and his refusal
to allow appeals thereirom, were arbitrary,
and are condemned and censured by the
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 moved to lay
Mr.. Hiscock simultaneously inquired of
the Speaker whether the resolutions were
offered as a question Of privilege
The Speaker stated in reply to Mr.. His
cock that the gentleman from Maryland
had advised the Chair that he had certain
resolutions which related to the parliament
airy action of the majority. The Chair had
distinctly asked him whether they were
personal to the Speaker and had been told
that they were not.
Mr.. McLane-Not personal to the Speaker.
Several Republcans-What are they,
then? They censure him.
MIR. McLane-I stated distinctly to the
Chair that the resolutions arraigned the ac-
ton of the Chair and of the majority of the
House.
The Speaker-The Chair distinctly under
stood that they had no personal application
to the Speaker, otherwise the present occu-
pant of the Chair would have taken occa-
sion to have left chair. In this situation,
and having made that statement, the Chair
would very much prefer not to rule on the
point of order presented by the gentleman
from New York, Mr.. Hscock) but to al
low the motion ofthe gentleman from Maine
Mr.. Reed) to be put.
Chorus of Republican members-That is
right.
The Speaker-The present occupant of
the chair, however, is clearly of opinion that
the resolutions are entirely outside of pri-
vileged question.
Mr., O'Neill-The Chair is quite right.
The Speaker-It is not in order as a uues-
ton ofprivilege for one side of the House to
arraign the other side.
A Democratic member-The Speaker has
the right to leave the chair now.
The Speaker-The present occupant of
the chair does not desert his post of duty.
Applause from the Republicans, and great
uproar and excitement The Chair prefers
to put the question.
Mr. House insisted that the gentleman
from Maine Mr.. Reed) had not the right to
take the floor from the gentleman from
Maryland Mr.. McLane), who had present
ed privileged question
| MIR. O'Neill declared in a highly excited
manner that the House ought to dispose of
the resolutions by laying them on the table
at moments notice.
The Speaker in reply to Mr. House said
that motion to lay on the table was al