Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-19

The OVERWHELMING farce IN the House
the other dav is noticed M follows in the
Tribune;
Mn. CURTIN ArPEALs FOR MANNING.
Mr.. Curtin had only five minutes in which
to play his part In the farce. tie spoke with
great energy of the authority and potency of
a certificate of election ''ander the broad
seal of a sovereign State" an1 denounced "a
outrageous the proposition to ''deny the
right of repres ent ,tion" II the people of a
Congressional district. After speaking in
this strain about three minutes, Mr.. Curtin's
excitement increased and raising his voice
he strobe toward the open area in front of
the Speaker he exclaimed that he now pre-
scented General Manning At the bar of the
House bearing the certificate the Governor
under the broad seal of great State and
demanded that the oath he administered to
him. Manning still seated, and he
seemed rather reluctant tn move. General
Manning, come forward shouted Mr. Cur
tin, with a dramatic gesture. Manning
obeyed, attended bv Blackburn and Tucker.
He soon stood beside Mr.. Curtin. his face
flushed and his hands t~i,cbing nervouiy.
Produce the certificate. said Curtin i'm
patiently, with another gesture. The poor,
self. stultitied Mississippiau fumbled in hi.
pockets awkwardly aud at last drew forth the
certificate" which three months ago he
sad he would scorn to offer as evidence of
his title to a seat in the House.
TUE Play INTERRUPTED.
The once despised but now precious docu-
ment was handed to the clerk, but at that
point the proceedings were interrupted. Mr..
Curtiu's remarks had been received with
bursts Of derisivs laughter by the republicans.
but time had come to put stop to the farce.
Major Calking made the point of order that
the House was at that very time engaged in
the consideration Of the question. whether
General Manning was entitled TO be sworn
and antil that question was decided no other
business WAS In order. Mr. Curtin scowled
amazcmeut and defiance. The Speaker. who
had been watching the whole performance
with apparent contempt. here interposed
He quietly remarked that of course he
should not undertake 20 administer the
oath to a man whose title to a seat the House
was about 81 decide. Mr., Curtin was non
r,uss "a aud Manning was crushed. He COW
cred visihly under the cool cutting words of
the Speaker. and after moment of irresolu-
tion he rctreated and dropped into the first
vacant seat he could find. Mr. Curtin also
retired in iutlseou. followed ~ derisive APP
pause and laughter from the republicans.
As he did so the rreprsssiole Belford ex-
claimed; Ring down the curtsinV The
republicans and good many democrats were
In a mood to be amused and this pun threw
them into commissions of laughter. Messrs.
Blackburn and Tucker held their ground
maufully and covered the retreat of the lead
ing actors in the farce.
An hour later the House decided BY vote
of iSg to lo4 that Manning does not hold
.srerfect credentials issued in due form and
by Lawful authority" Forty-fve democrats
and all the republicans present and voting
comprised the majority. On the resolution
that Manning il entitled 10 qualify and oc-
cupy . seat pending the contest on the merits
the vote was IS for and 156 against, about
six,y democrats voting in the negative. The
seat will therefore remain vacant until the
House decides Who IL entitled to it.