The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-16
Congressional

The House proceeded to the considera-
ton of the Mississippi contested election
case Of Chalmers VS.. Manning.
Turner Of Georgia, chairman Of the
Committee on Elections. spoke in support
of the majority report, which declares that
on prima faeie case neither Of the contest
ants was entitled to the seat Neither the
majority nor the minority report was
signed, but Turner stated that ten of the
members Of the election committee were in
favor of the former, while only five sup
ported the latter. He went into argument
to show that under the resolution referring
the decision of the prima facie case to the
committee, the committee was not confined
to an examination of the credentials pre-
sented by Mr.. Manning under which alone
Mr.. Manning was undoubtedly entitled to
the seat. 1t was its duty to enquire into
the allegations made by Chalmers, denying
Manning's prima facie right.
Elliott OF Pennsylvania, spoke in favor
Of the minority report, which declares Man
ming entitled to the seat on prima fscie
right In determining that right the Com
mittee on Elections had not power to go
behind the Governors certificate. The
Governor Of Mississippi, the only witness
authorized TO speak, had spoken and had
said in due form that Manning had received
a majority of the votes cast. This case
should be decided like other cases, where 1t
had always been held that no evidence
could be introduced to impeach the certih-
cate of the Government. M
Curtin of Pennsylvania, offered resolu-
ton recommitting to the Committee on
Elections the question of prima facie right
to the seat, with instructions to ascertain
and report whether certificate of election
was issued by the Governor of Mississippi
to any one, and if so, TO whom. He con-
tended that the Election Committee had
made mistake in going behind the returns
of the Governor and making an investiga.
ton of the facts, which tended to prove the
final merits of the case.
Oates, of Alabama, supported Curtin's
resolution, asserting that the Committee
ON Elections in Investigating the facts of
the case, and not combining its examination
to the credentials, had placed an erroneous
construction on the action of the House.
Cobb, of Indiana, spoke briefly in favor
of the minority report.
AO1, u NOW Aufh, oAlu cumming Vet tdAii-
ly thought there we're some bad features in
his certificate when he declined to present
it. He was anxious that the House should
assume the responsibility of accepting the
certificate and seating him. The House
refused to take the responsibility and re-
ferred the natter to the Election Commit
tee. The committee in turn refused the
responsibility and the question, like Ban
quo's ghost" again came back to the House
Herbert presented an argument in favor
of the immediate seating of Manning on
| the prima facia case, even though in three
hours afterwards the House should decide
that on the merits Chalmers was entitled
to the seat.
Crisp, of Georgia. spoke in support OF
the majority resolution.
Davis, of Missouri, argued that neither
Chalmers nor Manning was entitled prims
facie to the seat and favored speedy de.
cision of the case on its merits. After fur
Their discussion the matter went over until
tomorrow.
Harmer, of Pennsylvania, presented pc
titions in favor of pensioning Union sol
diers who suffered in Andersonville, Libby
Belle Isle, or other Confederate prisoners
Referred.
The House then, at $40, adjourned.