National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-23

party was now undertaking to forfeit. ZAP.
plause ON the democratic side.
Mr.. Millikon of Maine ls there any higher
claim, or moro sacred claim than tho title OF
u member 10 his seat2
Mr.. Cox. j would rather have q man come |
hero undertaking to present tho claims of his |
son honoTably to the house, than your mean, |
snealting mercenaries, that come here to grab |
and raid tho public treasury.
Mr. Bayne offered a resolution instructing
tho committee ON rules to inquire and report
to tho house whether or not the Hon. VIM
H. English, au ex-membor Of this house, has
violated tho privileges thereof in tho con-
tested election case Of English vs.. Peele.
Tho speaker said that whilo tho resolution
undoubtedly presented question Of privi-
ege, he did not think that 1t was of higher
privilege than tho right Of member to his
seat, and except by consent it could not be
offered.
Mr.. Blackburn said tho resolution would
BIO adopted by reclamation.
Mr.. 1Iobltzell obiecting, Mr. Bayne with
drew the resolution for tho time being.
The question recurring on the minority
resolution it was lost-yoas 1913, nays 120-and
tho majority resolution adoptod--yeas 40,
nays 1877.
Mr.. William L. English thon appeared OF
the bar of the house and took tho oath Of
office
Mr.. Bayno reoffored his resolution as a
| question of privilege.
| Mr.. Dunn suggested that IL be amended by
directing an inquiry as to whether Green Ii.
| Raum, late member of this house, had lob
bied for the whisky bill.
Mr.. Thompson hoped that no such amend
ment would be pressed.
| Mr.. Bayne said that no made his PROPOSE
| ton in good faith for the purpose of pro-
serving the integrity and dignity of the
| house. Ho cared not whom IL might hit.
| Ho offered II because he had information that
| n member of this house had voted in tho
early part Of tho proceedings; that he had
been asked TO leave his seat; that he had left
| his scat; that no had gone into consultation
with Mr.. English, and that he had thereafter
disappeared from the floor Of the house with
out having been paired. Having that in
formation, he felt it TO DO right and just that
an inquiry should BIO made by competent
committee. Tho member to whom Mr..
| Bayne makes reference is Mr.. Weller, of
Iowa, who voted on the first roll call yester-
day, and did not do so theroafter.l When
ever an ox-member came on the floor and
attempted to influence any legislative action,
he should be held up to public contempt and
hatred, aud should be exposed In order that
tho deliberations of this body should BIO kept
clear of any such interference.
Mr., Nichols inquired whether the attorney
for Mr.. Peele had not been constantly lobby
ing on tho floor.
Mr.. Horr replied that no know nothing
about it, but he was informed that Mr. Peelles
attorney had not.
Mr.. Nichols. have been informed exactly
the reverse
Mr.. Horn. If the gentleman knows that fact,
and feels interested in the dignity and pro-
prioty of the proceedings of tho house, the
duty devolvos on him of offering resolution
of inquiry.
Mr.. Nichols. / refer to Mr.. Jere Wilson,
ex-member from Indiana, who has been on
the floor lobbying in the interest of Mr.. Peelle.
Mr.. Cannon. have not seen him, and
don't think anybody else has.
Mr.. Horr said that since no called the
attention of the house to this matter not q
single man on the other side had arisen in
his seat and denied a single thing which he
had charged, or intimated that it was not
true.
We arc not as suspicious as you are, OK
planned Mr.. Cosgrove.
The only thing that comes from members
on the other sido is that You're another,
continued Mr.. Horr. He thought it un-
seemly and indecent for an ex-member to
lobby in contested election case. aud any
one who did so should be punished.
Mr.. Springer. Are not two eX-members-
Wilson and Shollabarger-att attorneys of record
for Mr.. Peelle?
Mr.. Horr. Have you seen either of them or
this floor?
mr. springer. L uOnt know tnab n ave
but am informed that they have been Ii ere
Mr.. Horr. Has any man intimated to you
that they have spoken to single member?
Mr.. Springer. They were employed or
account of their ability and the fact that
they could obtain admission to tho floor.
Mr.. Horr said that the democratic members
whom Mr.. English had importuned could moi
be counted GU the fingers of one hand.
A member. Who told your
Mr.. Horr. Get your investigation, and il
the thing is not true it cannot be proven. II
it is true it will be apt to be proven. dc
think that, as gentlemen by silence admit
that this thing has been going on for tho last
two days, it is time the house purgod itself OF
this kind of work.
/ Mr.. Randall. There hos boon no admis sion
of that sort whatever. We arc entirely con-
tent on this side to have the investigation
made.
Dir. Bayne modified his resolution by grant
ing the committee power to send for person!
and papers.
Mr.. Hammond offered an amendment in
trusting the investigation to q select commit
tee of seven members, to be appointed by tho
speaker, and requiring it further to inquire
whether any eS-member, employed as agen
or attorney in any contested election case, o.
for any railroad or other corporation. having
any claim pending, has, during this session
abused the privileges allowed him undor rul'
! "a, and report who they are and how they
have abused the privileges granted Thorn.
The amendment was agreed to and tn o reso
} luton as amended adopted.