National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-16
"RlNG DUWN IHE CURTAIN"
Representative BolfOrd's Interlec!Ory Remark
in the House Yesterday
While Messrs. Manning and Curtin
Were Enactng Little Farce.
The Disputed Seat Declared Vacant Until the Case is
Decided on lis Merits.
100000 Moro for the Flood Sufferers
The National Bank Question.
THE HOUSE.

tons, reported joint resolution, making fur-
Their appropriation Of 100000 for the relief OF the
sufferers by the Ohio flood.
Mr. Browne read telegram from Richmond,
Ind asking for an immediate appropriation for
the relief OF the destitute and homeless people
along The banks of the Ohio river.
The joint resolution was then passed.
Mr. Turner called up the Chalmers Manning
election case lis consideration was antagonized
by Mr. McMlllin, of Tennessee, in favor Of the
private calendar, but he was unsuccessful; and
Mr.. Miller, of Pennsylvania, took tho floor in OPP
position 10 the claims of Manning.
Mr.. Tucker made n brief and very forclble legal
argument in behalf of the right of Manning to tho
seat on the prima face case, contending that the
house would seta very dangerous precedent II u
now laid down the doctrine that In deciding such
n case 1t could go behind members certihcate
take piece of evidence tending to impeach the
correctness of the certificate, refuse TO allow the
man bearing tho proper credentials TO be sworn
ill., and thus deprive the people OF whole district
OF the right to representation.
A long debate ensued, participated In by Mr.
Broadhead, Mr.. Singleton, Mr.. g. d. Wise, Mr..
Van Eaton and Mr.. Bennett, in support of the
minority resolutions; by Messrs. Potter, Ranney
and Kasson, In favor OF the resolutions Of the ma
jority, and by MIR. Barksdale in advocacy OF pro-
posed amendment, directing the COMMITTEES on
elections Immediately to decide the case upon tho
inu dreary monotony OF the discussion was not
interrupted by any noteworthy incident unti i
Then Mr.. Curtin took the floor for the purpose Of
withdrawing his resolution for reeommtt9l, and
TO this action with the words with General
Mannings full consent and appreciation l bring
him to the speakers desk and ask that the oatn
governor of Mississippi" Suitng his action TO
his words, he took Mr.. Manning by the arm and
together they stood at the bar OF the house, where
Mr. Curtin presented him and demanded that ho
be sworn as a representative under the certificate
OF the governor ola loyal and great state. ,, ~,
Immediately the house woke up and Mr.. CAL
kins was ready with point OF order. that the
house had referred the case to q committee, that
the committee had reported to the house. and that
the report was now under consideration.
The speakersad that he did not think that there
was any necessity TO decide question OF order,
was entitled 10 take the oath of Office was the
very question which the house was now consid-
ering and on which the house was about to take
vote. The chair would not undertake to ad-
minister the oath of office 70 person claiming to
be q member. elect. when the house itself was
considering his right TO u seat
Mr.. Manning and Mr.. Curtin thereupon retired
to their seats amid the derislve laughter Of the
repuhlican side, which was increased at the re-
mark of Mr.. Belford, Ring down the curtain, the
Ihe debate was closed by Mr. Rogers in sup
port Of the minority recommendation and by Mr..
Turner in support of the majority resolutions.
The question then required on substituting the
minority resolutions for those of the majority,
aud a division of the resolutions being demanded
the vote was taken OH the first, declaring that
Mr.. Manning hold, perfect credentials.
This was relected-yeas 106, nays l4O.
The announcement OF the vote was received
with applause on the republican side.
Alr, COOK SalQ tIlut IL was eNlueuI tuhU III WOulu
be useless to waste the time of the house ~ a
further vote. He therefore asked to withdraw the
other resolution. but Mr. Warner objected
The second resolution Occurring Manning en-
titled to the seat was defeated-yeas 92, nays 157.
The majority resolutions were then adopted by
vote of i30 to Sc. These discharge the commit
tee on elections from the prima facle case and
leave the seat vacant until the case is decided on
its merits.
punishable by fine and imprisonment, for per-
Son falsely aud fraudulently to assume TO be an
officer or employee acting under the authority OF
the United States or any department. thereof
The house then at 80 adjourned until Monday
THE SENATE.
The chair laid before the senate communities
ton from the attorney general, explaining the de
lay In responding to the Gull for his opinion made
by the postmaster general regarding the adjust
ment OF postmasters salaries The matter was re
ceyed at his office, he says, in August last, while
on his vacation. When he returned he gave 4
close inspection, and as II was matter involving
a large amount of money and complicated anC
intricate questions, and he was anxious TO give i
careful and deliberate consideration, his opinion
when drawn up, he had laid aside for while t.
give II more mature consideration. II WAS finally
Completed few weeks ago, and had been orderel
sent to the postmaster general. The communities
ton concludes with the statement that the opinion
had been transmitted 10 the postmaster general OIL
the thirteenth instant.
M. Pend etOn sent to the desk and had read
Cincinnati TO Isaac n Jordan, Washington, y
ing that the secretary OF war had done grandly II
the matter Of the reiefof the sufferers by the Ohio
floods that red APE, whose interference had beef
feared, had been all cut and thrown away; tha
the cold weather, though better than rain, hue
Increased the distfeSs; that neither pen nor imag
inatlon could sufficiently de cribe the sutierings
that congress should appropriate All additional
milion 1t would have TO come, and the NOR,
there was no politics in the matter. Everybody
was working for it as the cause of a common
humanity.
Mr. voorhees, said he had similar telegtGms
some OF which were read He said his people hac
not on the occasion of last years food asked thu
aid of congress, as the Indiana legislature wa
then in session, but would do 50 now, as the lestI
lature could not be convened in time to take sucf
immediate action rs would meet the emergency.
Mr. Beck stated that he had received similar
DISPATCHES from his state. He had seen the secre
taty of war u lew moments ago who had Told hin
that he had received the Assurance that the hOu,,
of representatives would get another appropria
ton and the money already Appropriated wUulC
be sufficient for Friday Saturday, and perhaps
Mr.. Harrison said the people of Indiana hat
made and were making large contributions from
their private means ana ne hopeu the aid OF con
gress would be PROMPT.
Mr.. Voorhees, presented petition from l1Ot
settlers in Washington territory praying for pro
veIsy between them ana the Northern Pacific
railroad company -,..-
fairs, reported u joint resolution designed Il
remedy difficulty which had arisen IN e exc
cuiOn of an act oil 1857 felhlb 10 the application
OF moneys for the Indians education.
Mr.. Dawes explained that the accounting OH
GERS of tile treasury had at first considered TIA
the act permitted the erection OF new schools, a
well as the maintenance OF Olu oleS, Tor the IN
dustrial education OF Ind an children. ThesI
Officers Mr. Dawes added, had, on more mature
consideration, concluded that the act, as wOrded
did not warrant the erection OF new schools, and
the attorney general had held the latter interpre
latiOn to be that which, IN his opinion was cor
rect Under the first interpretation. however,
building had been contracted tDr paFllallS erected
at Law ence, Kan, and this Joint resolution wa
TO enable the obligation, honestly ana IN good
faith entered into in connection with that build
ing to he carried out ,.-.,
Mr. Beck, Il fter Crticsing the course OF the de
pArment OF the interior, said that IT. TINS erro
would have the effect to make that department
more careful IN tne future he would not object u
the passage of the measure.
Tue joint reso ution was then passed. -.
Al / 40 p. m. Mr.. Allison, from the committee Oh
APPROPRIATIONS reported back iavoraby the join
resolution of the house of rpreseh lallyes mhklhs
a further apprOpriatiOn OF S2OOO lOr tho lellel
Il @ sufferers by the Ohio Hoods 1900.
Mr. PendletOn stated that the legislaturelot OhlC
had appropriated 100000 aud was considerinl
the propriety Of making larger appIoprlat az 4
He added that no part of the uney appropriated
by the national government was expected " s.
TO the city of Cincinnati The people OF that city
with great liberality, had provided lOr all Wh-
were suffering in Its vicinity. The money Appro
pratel by congress would DC applied 10 the AID o
the sufferers along the river .,.
The Joint resolution was READ three umes hhS
passed without debate.
Shortly aiterward message was received from
the house of representatives announcing IN,
nAixing ofthe Speakers signature 10 the measure
wheTenpon the president OF the senate Instantly