The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-23

t"sp'V vh Dcmocratic sldeI, uhd want
Broke in Mr.. Blount. of Georgia |:
That 1t Is notorious fact known by all
the members on thus floor that this rule has
been violated time and again: that ex-
members OF Congress In the employ OF
railroad companies and In other interests
have been here impoituning members on
this floor"
"Why did you not call attention to Il p"
inquired Mr.. Brown, OF Pennsylvania.
"Why haven't you done it?" retorted
Mr.. Blount.
because have not known it." replied
Mr.. Brown.
"Oh, my dear sir, you are very inno-
cent person." returned Mr.. Blount. az
want TO add that this rule has been obso-
lete for months and years. 1t ought 10
have been enforced, and the gentleman
from Indiana Is certainly eXcusable, under
the circumstances, when the rule has been
obsolete in every other direction.v
Mr.. springer. OF Illinois, made the point
that The rule related TO person who was
interested in a claim pending before Con-
gress. IL had reference TO pecuniary in
terest-to hired attorneys coming on the
floor and advocating the passage OF claim:
and 1t had never been assumed that 1t had
any reference TO gentleman who came
looking after the interests OF q friend or
relative In a contcsted-election case.
Mr.. Horr said that he had made the
statement not for the purpose OF any po-
litical clap-trap [incredulous laughter on
the Democratic slde], but beca:se he found
that the dignity OF the House and its honor
was being violated, and he felt it his duty
to call the attention OF the House to the
fact. The gentleman from Pennsylvania
said that 1t was natural for father to feel
for hi, son; so it was. but il was also
natural for him. il he had the sense Of
honor he should have, TO do it in seemy
and becoming manner.
"And so he has," exclaimed Mr. Ran
DALI
"And not do it," continued Mr.. Horr,
ably outraging the rules Of this House. III
YOU do not believe what tell yon. investi-
gate this matter, and | promise to prove q
good deal more than / have stated. No
man with q keen sense OF honor would be
found on this floor doing what he has been
doing in this case"
The Speaker said that the gentleman had
submitted no motion 10 the House. The
fact that the gentleman complained of is
an eX-member was not disputed, but it
was alleged that he had violated his priv
ilege; that was a matter for the House to
investigate and determine. 1t was not
matter which the Char could determine
er pGrte.
Mr.. White, of Kentucky. moved that the
Sergeant-at- Arms be directed to arrest
William II. English, and bring him to the
bar OF the House to show whether he has
violated the privileges OF the floor.
This motion was received with laughter,
and Mr.. White subsequently withdrew it,
saying that he did so at the request OF the
cOntestee.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, then rose to de-
fend his old friend, who had been insulted
by the motion. He gave the origin OF the
rule regulating the admission Of ex-mem.
bers to the floor. He had originally drawn
up the rule at the time the Republican
party was rising towards the very height
OF corruption. and when eX-memberS came
here to lobby for railroad grabs which the
Democratic party was no " undertaking to
forfeit. Applause on the Democratic
slde.l
Mr.. Miliken, of Maine Is there any
higher claim, or more sacred claim.
than the title OF member to his seat 2"
Mr.. Cox: 81 would rather have man
claims of his son honOrablY to the House
than your mean, sneaking mercenaries that
come here TO grab and raid the public
treasury"
Mr.. Bayne, OF Pennsylvania, offered
resolution instructing the Committee on
Rules to INQUIRE and report to the House
whether or not Hon. William III. English,
an ey-member Of this House, has violated
the privileges thereof in the contested
election case OF English Us. Peele.
The Speaker said while the resolution
undoubtedly presented question OF privi-
lege. he did not think it was OF higher
privilege than the right OF member to
his seat, and, except by consent, it could
not be offered.
Mr.. Blackburn said the resolution would
be adopted by acclamatlon.
Mr.. Hoblitzell Directing, Mr.. Bayne
Withdrew the resolution for the time being.
The question recurring on the minority
resolution, il was lost-yeas, lbs; nays,
129-and the majority resolution adopt
ed-veas, 1870; nays, 127.
William f. English then appeared at the
bar of the House and took the oath OF
office.
Mr.. Bavne then re0nered his resolution
rs a question Of privilege.
Mr.. Dunn, OF Arkansas, suggested that
it be amended by directing an Inquiry as
TO whether Green Il. Raum, late member
Of this House, had lobbied for the whis-
key bill. 49,,
Mr.. Thompson, OF Kentucky, hoped
chat no such amendment would be pressed.
Mr.. Bavne said he msde his proposition
IN GOOD faith. for the purpose OF preserving
the integrity and dignity OF the House.
He cared not whom il might hit. lie
offered il because he had information that
member of this House had voted in the
early part OF the proceedings; that he had
been asked to leave his seat; that he had
left his seat; that he had gone into
consultation with English, and that he
haG thereafter disappeared from the moor
of the House without having been pared.
Having that information, he felt II 10 DE
right and Just that an inquiry should be
made by q competent committee. nc
member to whom Mr.. Bayne makes releE-
ence is Mr.. Weller, Of Iowa, who yoted on
the first roll-call to-day, and did not 90 50
thereafter. Whenever an eX-menlDer
came on the floor and attempted to inliu-
ence any legislative action, he should DC
held M to public contempt and hatred, ana
sbould be exposed in order that the dellD-
erations of this body should be kept clear
Of any such interference.
MIR. Nichols, OF Georgia, inquired
whether the attorney Tor Peeile haa hoI
been constantly lobbying on the floor?
MIR. Horr replied that he knew nothing
ohout IL. but he was informed that DIT.
PeelIe's attorney had not.
Mr.. Nichols: l have been informed eX-
actly the reverse.
Mr.. Horr If the gentleman knows that
,,ct and feels interested in the dignity
and propriety of the proceedings OF the
anu H., doyolves on him of offer