The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-23

The House then resumed consideration of the
English Peelle contested election case the pend
ing question being ON the motion to table the
motion to reconsider the vote by which the
House yesterday agreed to the minority resolu-
ton confirming Mr. Peelles right to his seat, as
a substitute for the majority resolution. The
motion to table was lost by tie-yeas 1872 nays
l32.
Mr. Converse suggested that the Speaker
should vote, but the Chair replied that that was
unnecessary
The following Democrats voted with the Re
publieans: Aiken, Beach, Boyle, Budd, Collins,
Connolly, Dorgan, Findlay, Greenleaf, Harde
man, Herbert, Hewitt of Alabama, Hunt, Jones
of Wisconsin, Lore, LeVering Mills, Morgan,
Stevens Sumner of California Throckmorton,
Iillman, Turner of Georgia, Weller, Woodward,
WOrthingtOn, and Yaple
The question then recurred on the motion to
reconsider, AMI itwas agreed to-yeas, 1885, nays,
1876.
Mr. Browne of Indiana, moved to recommit
the case to the committee on elections, with in
structons to recount the ballots cast for the con
testant and contestee in all the several voting
precincts in the county Of Marion, and make re
port of the result
Mr.. Springer made the point of order that the
motion was not in order, as the rule which per
mitted n motion to recommit applied in terms to
bills and not to resolutions" He made the
further point that, even were it in order to re-
commend resolution il was now too late to
make a motion, as the House had taken action
under the operation of the previous question
The Speaker overruled the point of order.
A CHARGE AGAINST THE SENIOR ENGLISH.
Mr.. Horr, rising to question of privilege,
said mo ex member of Congress has the right
to the floor if he takes and then abuses its
privileges by attempting to influence legislation
here. l now rise to say that it has been brought
to my notice, by Democratic member of this
House, that an ex-member of Congress, who is
the father of one of the litigants in this case
has been on the floor of the House soliciting
members, sending for them, taking them into
consultation and attempting to influence them in
their votes in this case. If that be true, it is a
violation of the dignity and integrity of this
House, and it ought not to 60 unnoticed.
81 desire to say" replied Mr.. Randall, "that
the father of the contestant would be unnatural
if he did not take the deepest interest in his sons
cause applause on the Democratic side and de-
risive laughter the Republican sidel, and
stand here witness to the fact that the gentle
man has exercised the most careful propriety in
connection Herewith" Applause on the Demo
cratic side
''And want to say further" broke in Mr..
Blount, that it is notorious fact, known by
all members on this floor, that this rule has
been violated time and again-that exmembers
of Congress- in the employ of railroad companies
and in other interests, have been here impor-
tuning members on this floor"
why did you not call attention to itl' In
quired Mr.. Brown, of Pennsylvania.
Why have you not done it," replied Mr..
Blount.
Because have not known it," retorted Mr.
Brown
''Oh, my dear sir you are a very innocent
person. returned Mr. BlOunt; II want to add
that this rule has been obsolete for months and
years 1t ought to be enforced, and the gentle
man from Indiana is certainly excusable under
the circumstances, when the rule has been obso-
lete in every other direction
Mr.. Springer made the point that the rule re-
lated to pers as who were interested in claims
pending before Congress. 1t had reference to
pecuniary interest, to hired attorneys coming on
the floor and advocating the passage of claims,
and it had never been assumed that it had any
reference to the gentleman who came looking
after the interests of a friend relative in a
contested election case.
Mr.. Horr said he had made the statement, not
for the purpose of political clap-trap Iincredu-
lous laughter on the Democratic sideI but be
cause he found the dignity of the House and its
honor being violated and he felt it his duty to call
the attention of the House to the fact The gen
tleman from Pennsylvania said it was natural
for father to feel for his son: so it was. but it
was also natural for him. if he had sense of
honor. that he should have to do it in a seemly
and becoming manner.
"And so he has" exclaimed Mr. Randall
'And not do it, continued Mr. Horr ''by out
raging the rules Of this House. If you do not
believe what tell you, investigate his manner,
and promise to prove good deal more than l
have stated. No man with a keen sense of
honor would be found on this floor doing what
he has been doing in this case"
Mr.. White, of Kentucky, moved that the Ser
geant alarms be directed to arrest Hon. 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 re
ceived with laughter, and Mr.. White subse-
quently withdrew it; stating that he did so at
the request of the contestee
Mr.. Cox, of New York, then arose to defend
his old friend. who had been insulted by the
motion. He gave the origin of the rule reeu-
lating admission of eX members to the floor. He
had originally drawn up the rule, at the time
when 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 now under
taking to forfeit LAppiause on the Democratic
side.
Mr.. Milliken-Is there any higher claim, or
more sacred claim than the title of member to
his seat?
Mr.. Cox-I would rather have man come
here undertaking to present the claims of his son
honorably to the House than your mean, sneak
ing mercenary that comes here to grab and raid
the public treasury.
Mr.. Bayne offered resolution instrueting the
committee on rules to inquire and report to the
House whether or not Hon. William H. English,
an ex- member of the House, has violated the
privileges thereof in the contested election case
of English vs.. Peelle.
Mr.. Hoblitzell objecting, Mr.. Bayne withdrew
the resolution for the time being.
The question recurring on the minority resO-
luton, it was lost-yeas 1873 nays l29-and the
majority resolution was adopted-yeas l3O, nays
127
Mr.. English then appeared at the bar of the
House and took the oath of Office.
Mr.. Bayne reoffcred his resolution as a ques-
ton of privilege
Mr.. Dunn suggested that it be amended by
directing inquiry whether Green b. Raum. late
member of this House had lobbied for the
WHISKY bill
MIR Thompson hoped that no such amend
ment would be passed.
Mr.. Bayne said he offered his resolution be-
cause he had information that member cf this
House, in the early part of the proceedings. had
been asked to leave his seat that he had left his
seat; that he had gone into consultation with
English. and that he had thereafter disappeared
frnr the floor nf thn Hn1Sn uthn11t hnuiin,r nnn,,