The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-05
TIE HOUSE.
The Lowry-white Contest Case Resumed
No Conclusion. Reached.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Mr.. Guenther,
OF Wisconsin, presented the petition OF
$500 residents Of the District of Columbia
dgainst the enactment Of prohibitory laws
for the District. Referred.
The House then resumed the considera-
ton OF the Lowry-White contested election
case.
Mr.. Moore, Of Texas, member OF the
majority committee on elections, spoke
briefly in support of the majority resolu-
ton, and contended that the contes,oe
had failed utterly to make proof Of his
naturalization.
Mr.. o'Fcrrell, Of Virginia, took the same
grounds.
Mr.. Rowell Of Illinois, presented the
case Of the contestee, and argued that lac
had completely proved his citizenship.
There were 10000 men in Chicago today
exactly in the same position rs Mr. White.
The records were burned, their papers
were burned their witnesses were dead.
More than one member OF the House, more
than hundred men occupying high posi-
tons were in precisely the same position.
II was said that the contesteo was unwor-
thy Of belief, on account OF some utter
ances upon the stump. "Why," said he,
III We all had the brand OF liar put upon
our brows because We sometimes
make n mistake in what We say on the
stump, how many of us, who talk ut all,
would 20 out OF the House with the word
liar written all across our forehcads.
Laughter and applause.
Mr. Cochran, Of New York, Democrat. }
was yielded fifteen minutes by Mr.. Row
ell, and as he rose In the center aisle Ia
speak for the oontcstee, he was watched
by every eye, and intently listened to. lie
said that in discussing the question Of gen.
eral public policy, one that involved the
sovereignty Of the people, the House
WIS not bound by the technical
rules which were prescribed for the
regulation Of disputes between citizens,
when compelled 10 submit eirdi0crcnces
10 the tribunals organized for the purpose
Of settling them. The House was on q
broader basis. II had to inquire whether
the people Of the Twelfth Indiana district
had lawfully expressed their choice. The
question was whether Mr. White was
eligible 20 scat 90 which he had undoubt.
edly been elected. lie (Cockmn) did not
believe that there was any fair question Of
law before the House. lie did not regard
the record NJ anything but the proof OF the
| Judgment. The Judgment was the act Of
the court which stood independent OF any.
thing tho clerk might do. In this case
/ there was no record Of what the court bal
done. and the House was driven into an
inquiry OF the facts.
Mr. White stood before the House upon
his oath, declaring that In 1855 he went
| before the court in Allen county, Ind
accompanied by witnesses, and complied
with all the provisions OF law, and that a
! certificate OF naturalization was issued 10
/ him. Holding the view lac Cochran
did, there was nothing left for him 20 de-
| eide hut the question whether he would
believe the sworn statement of member
| OF the House, corroboraled by character
by which not one word had been uttered
IN this debate. lApplausc, Men on the
| Democratic side claimed 90 represent
popular sovereignty In the fullest meaning
Of the word. They claimed that 10 Their
party belonged the mission Of extending
the power OF the people at the balloi-box.
So far ~ the pcoplco Of the Twelfth Indiana
district could speak they had de.
clared their wish, their will, Their
command that Mr.. White should be-
their representative. tApplausc. Against
this command Of the people, the commit
tee ON elections had advanced n number
Of circumstances which, Il was said, tended
10 impcach the accuracy ~ Mr.. White.
lie believed either that Mr.. White wa,
natnmlined IN Indiana, or that he had
committed perjury. lie WIS n lawful
member Of the House Of Representatives
or his place was nj the bar Of n criminal
court on the charge Of perjury. lie mus
look 10 the character Of the person upon
whose statement lac proposed 10 base wi.
action. This man came before the Hous,
with thirty years. Of honorable life 10 giy,
weight 20 his statement he came her,
with history which was part Of the his
tory Of his country. lie had held i'm
poriant offices: he had discharged III,
duties. Of citizenship; he had shet
his blood for his country Applause
and he lCOchmnl would not cas-
vote which would make the wound
he received In honorable service bleed
aircsh by reason Of the ingraiitudc Of hii
associates. Applause Il would raihc
Ne his pride, a. lac hoped II would be II
his power, 10 cast vote 10 show that h
who fiskcd his life In defense VI this Ian,
mcrited reward which served him lik'
AN armor, inyincible TO the shafts Of III,
enemy when In the course Of his career h
had 20 defend his character against IN
assault Applause. In what he Cock
RAM said hc expressed his own loyalty 4
the laws lie did not believe that the pa
litical effect Of this vote would sway
single member on the Democratic Nd
10 far from n sense Of obligation 3
his conscience, NJ 20 cause him 10 cas-
a vote dictated by political reasons Bu
II such suggestion entered the mind q
any man LET him remember that the hes
way 10 prevent the vote In this case iron
! having any effect on the Presidential Gle,
ton Was for Democrats 70 10 compol