The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-28

How the Republicans VIII Act In Asserting
Their Claim to q Majority.
ececial to the Indisnapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-If. by any hook or
crook, tho Democrats in the lower house should
instruct their Clerk to enter a majority of Dem.
ocratic names on the roll of the Fifty-frst Con-
gress. it is probable that there will be very
stormy scenes when that body convenes 10 ex-
ira session next spring. or in the regular session
in December of next year. 1t is not generally
understood, but the best parliamentarians in
Washington say that a single objection to the
swearing in Of a member of the House will
stand him aside, subject to the decis-
ion Of q contest, which must take
the regular course. The most candid and the
better class of Democrats in the present House
count IN a majority of the next House. and they
are advising frankness and an immediate &C
acknowledgement that the Republicans will organ
ize the Fifty-frst Congress. There are, how
ever. quite a number of Democratic members
who are determined TO fight the question to the
end and they will resort to every possible dis
reputable move to secure the organization.
The first move when a new Congress is called to
order by the old Clerk is the election Of
the Speaker. When that officer takes his seat
he directs tho old Clerk to call the roll of mem:
bers. The States are called 10 alphabetical order,
and blocks of about twenty members take po-
sitions in front of the Speaker, and are by that
officer sworn in. II q member appears upon the
call of tho Clerk whose right to a seat is ques-
toned. a member whose title is unquestioned
may rise and object to the oath being ad-
ministered, and he must stand aside.
Some of the shrewdest and old
est Republican members in the city, who
are elected to the next Congress. say that they
ocrats who are claiming election in one district
in each of the States Of Maryland, North Caro-
lima. Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia, and three
In West Virginia-in all, eight. where the Re-
publicans have undoubtedly elected members.
If the Governors in these States should issue
certificates to these Democrats, they will, there
fore, not be permitted to take the oath. It may
be claimed by the Democrats that this OBJ
jectipg process can be conducted on
both sides Of the hose, I'D
that as fast as the Republicans
object to the Democrats taking the oath, the
Democrats can object to the Republicans, which
will have the effect Of making a stand-of. There
is nothing in this, however, as every Republican
who will present himself for the Administrations
of the oath will have a perfect right to receive
it, aud it would amount to a public revolution
for the Democrats. merely to get even" to OBJ
ject to the swearing in OF men against whom
there il not the slightest real objection. II all
these eight districts were given over to the
Democrats the Democratic party would have
a majority Of one in the next House, but there
is not one chance in fifty that all these district.
can be stolen. and not one chance in one hun.
dred that all Of them could be held, even If the
Democratic Governors issue certificates to their
candidates for Congress. IL the event of a
Wholesale challenge and objection to the swear
ing in of the Democrats who have no right t.
take the oath, it is possible that the Democrat,
side of the House will refuse to act with til,
Republicans. and that they will leave the hall o
the House OF Representatives, and establish al
independent body. President Harrison, how
ever. would undoubtedly recognize the bod,
that remained, and only Its acts could be mad,
legal.