Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
WASHINGTON.
Mr., ofERRALL AND TIE LowKRy.
Wits CASE.
The Fourth Collection Distfict-A Personal
Alteration The Politicians Gathering
Virginia Democratic Association.
from Our Regular Correspondent

from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. February 4. The House
was engaged al to-day in the discussion
OF the Lowry-White contest from In
diana. The Question turns entirely upon
the fact whether White. the sitting mem.
Der, who Is Republican. is anatnralized
citizen. The Constitution requires that
he shonld be; but there is no recorded
evidence that he .evor was naturalized.
MIR. White seeks 10 prove by parole ties.
timony that he was, but the owl
dence is vague and unsatisfactory.
Among those who spoke on the
subject to-day was Mr. OFerrall Of the
Committee on Contested Elections. who
made a strong legal argument against
White, based up0n the fact that the Con
sututlon and tGe laws required record
evidence in all cases of naturalization,
and that IN the absence of snch evidence
1t was incompetent for the House to seat
an individual who failed 20 produce the
strongest and most overwhelming parole
proof that he had complied with the re-
QUESTION OF the fundamental law. As a
simple question OF law there is probably
no lawyer in the House who would claim
that Mr.. Whites proof was satisfactory,
hut it SO happens that he vas in the
Union army. aud that fact-although it
is accompanied with tho other fact that
the papers IN the War Department show
that his resignation was accepted "fOr
the good Of the service has been
made the basis Of an appeal to all the ex-
"a. -
his claim to his scat, and it is possible
that this appeal VIII influence enough
northern Democrats to give him the
scat.
COMsTRCE.
The subcommittee on Commerce, TO
which has been referred the bill intro
duced by Mr.. O'Ferrall changing the
limits of the Fourth collection district of
Virginia, VIII hold a meeting next week,
OF which delegations from Norfolk and
Newport News are expected to be pres
mt IN behalf Of their respective seaporis.
The bin proposes division of the dis
trict so as b. throw n portion of Hampton
Roads, now IN the Norfolk district, into
the Nevport-News district.
PERSONA ALLEGATION.
There was little personal alteration
il the corridor Of the House to-day be-
tween Mr.. Thomas OF Wisconsin, and
MIR John Boyd, who IS supposed to re.
present the Pacific railroads in tho House
lobby. Il seems that Mr.. Thomas had
been informed that BOYD bad charged
him with motives of bnckmail in in-
trOducinga resolution fOrbiddlng patents
for lands to be issued TO these roads,
Mr.. Thomas met Mr.. Boyd to-day and
denounced him in very vigorous terms.
Fortunately Mr.. Boyd was Teaceably in
chued, and there was 10 breach of the
peace. slthough Mr Thomas declared
his readiness then and there to wipe the
Aoor up with Mr.. Boyd's remnants.
POLITICIANS GATHERING.
The National Democratic Committee
will meet at Wizards Hotel, in this city,
on the 22d instant Politicians from all
parts of the country are already begin
ming TO put III an appearance III antici-
patton Of the event some OF them for
the purpose Of securing the convention
for the cities they represent and others
10 urge the claims of the various states
men VINO are VIKING 10 bcCOulc lhe
standard-bearers of tie party. Among
others here ! notice Colonel Spaulding,
Of New York, who is probably
one OF the bcst-known politicians
in the country, having been ser
geant.at-arms of every national Demo
cratic convention for the last twenty
five years, except the last. His reminis-
censes Of men and measures are very
amusing, and his predictions as to the
future. while perhaps premature. are
none the less interesting.
The Virginia Democratic Association
held their regular meeting last night,
and were addressed 10y General Hooker,
of Mississippi. The General delivered
an argument upon the tariff, planting
himself on what he called the safe mid
playground OF tariff for revenue, and
rerudiating on the one hand "the
impracticable doctrine of free trade,
and Oh the other "the tyrannOus sys-
TEN OF high tariff for protection. He
was evidently in sympathy with his
audience, and was literally applauded.