The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-03-12
GEN. GRANT RETIRED.
An Exciting Scene in the House on the Pass
z ofthe Bill.

WASHINGTON, March AIR. Randall,
after thaving submitted the conference re-
port on the Sundry Civil Appropriation
bill, asked unanimous consent to take
from the Speakers table and pass the
Grant Retirement bill. [Applause.] Ben
nett, of North Carolina, and Weller, of
Iowa, objected. Randall then moved to
suspend the rules and place the bill on its
passage, but the Speaker ruled that the
motion was not in order pending a deci-
sion of an election case. Randall then en-
deavored to secure his point by moving to
suspend the rules and lay the low election
case on the table, but the Speaker decided
hat this was equally out of order. The
confusion and excitement in the chamber
was intense. Dozens of members were on
their feet demanding recognition, but
above the Babel of voices rang
out Randall's voice appealing
to Bennett, of North Carolina, to
withdraw the election case. Finally, when
he could be heard, Mr.. Bennett said that if
the House would consent to vote on the
Fredericks- Wilson case all objection to
Randall's motion would be withdrawn.
This declaration was greeted by a storm
of Consents" from the Republican side,
and the confusion was so great that
it required five minutes diligent
work by the Sergeant-at-Arms with
his mace in his hand before comparative
order was restored. Then Mr.. Wilson, of
Iowa, contestee in an election case, arose,
and amid a storm of cheers on the Repub-
lican side, said that if the House would
put General Grant on the retired list he
was willing to be sacrificed. Mr.. Miller,
of Pennsylvania, who had been leading
tho film CfarinO apaInCt the aIaR.
ton case, said that if the
House would permit a vote on Mr..
RandalPs imotion the opposition to the
election case would be withdrawn. This
Democratic side, and Mr.. Randall, rushing
down to the space in front of the Clerks
desk, cried out: Don't let anything stand
in the ways; agree to anything" Then
said Miller: SIN order chat there may
be no excuse, 1 withdraw and permit
a vote on the proposition of the gem
tleman from North Carolina, and ] ask the
House to treat us fairly on both votes"
After another scene of confusion Mr.. Ben
nett demanded the previous question on
tions, declaring Fredericks entitled to the
seat. The resolution was adopted
Republican side, and instantly
upon Fredericks taking the oath of Office
Randall was on his feet with his motion to
suspend the rules and pass the enate bill
for the retirement of General Grant, with
out specifically naming him.. Mr.. McMul-
Of "shame," .aoh, don't 60 back
on your word" and "That's fair"
went up. Nearly every mem
Der was on his feet, adding to the
tumult, and prominent among them were
Cassidy and Robertson, of Kentucky, de-
handing fair play. Again did the services
of the Sergeant-at-Arms and his mace be-
come necessary to seat the members, and
then a second having been considered as
ordered, McMullen, Stockslager and Wat
son briefly opposed the bill as inaugurating
a system of civil pensions. Randall,
who, under the rules, was entitled to
fifteen minutes debate, waived the
right, and the yeas and nays were
Immediately taken on the motion to sus-
pend the rules and pass the bill. As the
name of Mr.. Fredericks, the newly-elected
member, was called, and as he arose and
voted in the affirmative, friends of the bill
treated him to a round of applause. The
motion to suspend the rules and pass the
bill was agreed to-yeas, 1893; nays, Is
President Arthur sent a message to the
Senate nominating U. S. Grant to be Gen
eral of the army on the retired list with
full pay. The Senate unanimously con
sented to this appointment amid thunder.
of applause.