Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
Ciyii-Scrvice Reform Farther Discussed
I'm the Senate.
Proceedings i'm the House-BiIIs and
RESOLUTIONS.

WAsIiINGTpS, December lg.-House.-
Mr.. Scales presented the certificate OF elec-
ton of Mr. Skinner, Representative-elect
from the First District of North Carolina.
Mr.. Keifer offered a resolution referring
SINNERS credentials to the Committee on
Elections, with instructions to examine all
the facts pertaining to the vacancy. He
contended that there was no vacancy in
the district Kinney claimed to represent,
and to admit him would leave one county
without representation, while another
would have TIVE Representatives.
Mr. Scales argued that Skinner present
ed an invulnerable prinld fdcie case.
Mr.. Springer contended that the elec-
ton of Skinner was in accordance with the
law of the State.
Mr.. Mills defended SINNERS right to
the seat.
Mr.. Belford said, in the blazing light OF
the nineteenth century he thought the
Republican and Democratic parties could
afford to be honest. Each endured, as for
tune alternated, large number of polit-
ical outrages; they had been practiced on
both sides, and it was idle to conceal their
commitment Now Il gentlemen came to
the House claiming to be Representa-
tive-elect from North Carolina, bearing the
certificate of the Governor of the State 1t
NstS lllo Iiidi lilC EtIL-
teman should be sworn in on a prinld fdcie
case, whether Democrat, Greenbacker OF
Republican. He thought the position oil
the gentleman from Ohio (keifer) un-
sound, and could be overcome with purely
logical reasoning; and if the House set it
self up to repudiate the certificates of the
Governors of the respective States, it was
committing masterful mistake, into the
bosom OF which he, for one, did not pro-
pose to drop. After long discussion, Mr..
keifer having withdrawn his resolution,
Mr.. Skinner was sworn in.
Mr.. Keifer renewed his resolution, but
MIR. Hiscock offered substitute for the
immediate swearing in of Skinner, and
the reference of the main features OF the
case to the Committee on Elections, with
instructions to report quickly. Mr.. His
cock said it was dangerous question, this
priE,d fdcie right of man to his seat, and
warned the Republicans that if Keifers
resolution was adopted, the result would
be that no report would be made before
the end of the session, whereas the Com
mittee on Elections could in short time
report on the questions involved in bis
substitute.
Mr.. Hiscock's substitute was agreed to-
yeas III, nays los. The bulk of the Demo-
Gratis voted in the negative, and the bulk
VI the hcpuUllCduS III Iue dlllrDldIlNe.
The original resolution, as amended,
was then agreed to.
Mr.. Morrison offered concurrent reso-
lvtion for holiday recess from Monday,
December 9th, until Thursday, the Sd OF
January. Agreed to-l43 to 21-with the
understanding that no business would be
transacted on Monday except the appoint
ment of committees.
Consideration of the report of the Com
mittee on Rules was then taken up, con-
sidered at length, and considerable pro-
gress made.
Mr.. Callins offered resolution, which
was adopted, calling on the Secretary of
State for all communications, documents
and papers in his possession relating to
the trial, conviction and execution of the
late Patrick O'Donnell, by the British
government.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Hob
litzell, Cabell Wilson w. Val, Kasson
and Long members of the special COM
mittee on the centennial anniversary OF
Washington's surrender of his commission
as commander-in-chief of the army. Ad-
iourned.