Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-20

MI. springer, OF Illinois, WaiVing an ar
gument upon the prima facie case which
ne considered to be perfectly made out,
passed on to a brief discussion Of the
merits of the question, contending that
the decision of the Governor of North
Carolina as to the place of holding the
election was binding upon the House, and
that the election of Mr.. Skinner was in
accordance with the law of that State.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, confined himself to
review OF precedents in election cases,
asserting that in an unbroken line they
showed that when a member came to the
house WITH certificate from the proper
authorities he was entitled to be sworn in.
Mr.. BelfOrd, of Colorado, said thatin the
blazing light of the 18th century he thought
that the Republican and Democratic
parties could afford to be honest Each
mad endured, as the fortune of the parties
nad alternated, large number of politi-
cal outrages. They had been practiced
ON both sides, and it was idle to conceal
their commitment. Now a gentleman
comes to the House claiming to be repre-
sentative-elect from North Carolina, and
bearing certificate from the Governor of
that State. 1t was his deliberate judg-
ment that the gentleman should be sworn
In ON the prima facie case, whether he was
Democrat, Greenbacker or Republican.
lie thought that the position of the gem
tleman from Ohio (Mr. Keifer) was un-
sound, and could be overcome
with purely logical reasoning. and
II the House should set itself up to ig
more, refuse and repudate certificates
issued by the Governors of the respec-
1--WE states, 1t was committing a mas
terful mistake, into the bosom of which
he. for one, did not propose to drop.
Mr.. HiscOck, of New York. offered as a
ai
resolution for the immediate swearing in
OF Mr.. Skinner, and the reference of
the case to the Committee on Flee
tions, with instructions to report
at the earliest practical moment
whether Mr.. Skinner was elected from
the First District of North Carolina, as
created before the last Congressional
apportionment, or in the district in
North Carolina created in that State
since the election of Mr.. Poole
and whether Mr.. Skinner was elected
from the proper district. Mr.. HiscOck
stated that he sympathized with the re-
marks made by the gentleman from Colo
RADIO Mr.. BelfOrd), }, that it was dangerous
to question the prima facie right of man
to seat on the floor. After further de-
bate by Messrs. Hurd and Keifer of Ohio
Reed of Maine, and Calkins of Indiana,
Mr. kelfer withdrew his resolution, and
L.
Skinner appeared at the bar of the House
and qualified. Mr.. Keifer then renewed
his resolution, the preamble having been
eliminated, and MIR. Hiscock again offered
his resolution as substitute. Mr.. His
cock warned the Republican side that if
Mr.. Keifer's resolution was adopted the
result would be that no report would be
made before the end of the session, where
as the Committee on Elections could, in a
short time, report on the question involved
in his substitute. Mr.. Hiscock's substi-
Democratic members voted in the mega
tive, and the bulk of the Republicans in
the affirmative. The original resolution.
as amended, was agreed to.
MIR. Morrison, of Illinois, offered a con-
current resolution for a holiday recess
from Monday, December a, 1883, until
Thursday, Sd of January, 1884. He stated
that If the resolution was agreed to he
would ask unanimous consent that no
business should be.transacted on Monday
except the appointment of the commit
tees. The resolution was agreed to by
l43 to u, with the understanding referred
to in Elr. M0rrisOn'S statement.
Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky, from the
Committee ON Rules, reported a resolu-
tion for the creation of the following
select committees, with the same
membership which was accorded
to similar committees at the last Con-
gress: Civil service reform law; respect
ing the election of President and Vice
President; payment of pensions, bounty
and back pay; public health and ventila-
tlon and acoustics of the Hall of Repre-
sentatives. Also, for the creation of a
committee on American ship building and
ship owning interests, to consist of seven
members, which shall investigate the
causes of the decline of the American
foreign carrying trade.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, offered an amend
ment for the creation of a committee on
the alcoholic liquor traffic. After some
debate Mr.. Reeds amendment was adop-
ted by 143 yeas to 50 nays.
On motion of Mr.. Willis, of Kentucky.
an amendment was adopted increasing
the membership of the select committees,
so that they shall be composed as follows {:
Civil Service Reform, 13 members; Law
Respecting the Election of President, Is
members; Pension, Bounty and Back
Pay, Public Health, and Liquor Traffic,
each members; Ventilation of the Hall,
I members, and American Shipping, II
members. The original resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
Mr.. Blackburn also reported a resolu-
tion for the raising of the standing Com
mittee on Labor, to which shall be re-
ferred measures affecting labor; limiting
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ed
ucation and Labor, and providing that it
shall hereafter be known as the Commit
tee on Education.
Mr.. Willis, of Kentucky, offered an
amendment, increasing the membership
of tWenty-three of the standing commit
tees from eleven to thirteen, and for the
retention of the Committee on Education
and Labor. After a speech in advocacy
of his amendment, Mr.. Willis withdrew
it with the understanding that it's subject
matter should be considered by the Com
mittee on Rules, and then the original
resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Blackburn further reported a reso-
luton for the creation of a Committee
on Rivers and HarbOrs, and it was laid
over for action until tomorrow.
Mr.. Blackburn reported adversely on
the resolution for the removal of the desks
of the members, and 1t was laid upon the
tale.
Mr.. Keifer, OF Ohio. from the same CON-
mlttee, reported without recommendation
a resolution for the appointment of a Com
mittee on Woman Suffrage. 1t was laid
over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, offered a reso-
luton, which was adopted, calling on the
Secretary of State for all communications.
documents and papers in his possession
relating to the trial, conviction and exc
cution of the late Patrick O'Donnell by
the British Government.
The Senate amendment to the recess
resolution was cOncurred in.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Hoblitz-
ell of Maryland, Cabell of Virginia, VIII
son of West Virginia, Kasson of Iowa,
and Long Of Massachusetts as members
of the Special Committee on the Centen-
nial Anniversary of Washington's Sur
render of His Commission as Commander
in-Chief of the Army.
IN THE SENATE.
In the Senate this morning prayer was
offered by the new Chaplain. After the
reading of the journal number of pe-
titiOns and memorials were presented and
several bills were introduced.
The bill adopting the mean time of the
seYentY-tifth meridian as the local tin1n of