The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05

ably be taken before Tuesday.
Details of the Debate.
To the Western Associated Press.
wAsHINGToS, Feb. 4.-The House to-day re-
sumsd consideration of the Lowry White con-
tested election case DIR. Moore, of Texas,
member OF the majority of the committee on
elections, spoke briefly in support of the major
ity resolution, aud contended that the contestee
had failod utterly to make proof Of his natural
ization.
Mr.. oFerraI, of Virginia, took the same
grounds
Mr.. Rowell, of the case Of Illinois. present ted
the contested. and argued that he had complete
" proved his citizenship. There 10000
men in Chicago to-day exactly in the same po-
sition as Mr.. White. The records were burned,
their papers were burned, their witnesses were
dead. More than member of the House,
more than 100 men occupying high positions
were in precisely the same position
1t was said that the contestee was
unworthy of belief on account of
some uiterancss upon the stump why" said
he, eff we all had the brand of liar put upon
our brows. because we sometimes make q mis-
take in what we say the stump. how many Of
us, who talk at ALL would 60 out of the House
with the word liar written all across our fore
neaQsf lLaugnUer ana applauSel
Mr. Cochran, Of New York (Demoerasl, was
yielded fifteen minutes by Mr.. Rowell, and rs
he rose in the center aisle to speak for the con-
testee. he was watched by every eye and in
tently listened to- He said in discussing the
question OF general public policy. one that in
volvsd the sovereignty of the people, the
House was not bound by the technical rules
which are prescribed for tho reeu-
lation of disputes between citizens
when compelled to submit their differences
70 the tribunals organized for the purpose of
settling them. The House broader
basis. IL had to inquire whether the people Of
the Twelfth Indiana district had lawfully
pressed their choice. The question was whether
Mr.. White was eligible to a seat to which he had
undoubtedly been elected. He Mr. Cockranl did
not believe that there was any fair question OF
law before the House He did not regard
the record anything but the proof of the
Judgment The judgment was the act of the
court, which stood independent of anything the
clerk might do 10 this there
ord of what the court bad done, and the Honse
f. fact Mr. White " stood oS' before or' the the
House upon his oath declaring that in
county, Indiana, accompanied by witnesses,
and complied with all the provisions of law, and
that certificate of naturalization was issued to
him. Holding the view he Mr. Cockranl did,
there was nothing left for him to decide but the
question whether he would believe the sworn
statement of member of the House,
which not one word had been uttered
this debate [Applause Men the
Democratic side claimed TO represent popular
eovereignty in the fullest meaning OF the word
They claimed that TO their party belonged the
mission of extending the power OF the people at
the ballot-hox So far as the people OF the
Twelfth Indiana district could speak, they had
declared their wish, their will, their command,
that Mr. White should be their representative.
Applause Against this command of the people
the committee elections had advanced
number of circumstances which. it was said,
tended to impeach the accuracy of Mr.. White.
He believed either that Mr.. White was natural
ICED in Indiana or that he had committed per-
jury. He was lawful member of the House
of Representatives, or his place was at the bar
of a criminal court on the charge OF per-
jury. He must look the character
of thu person upon whose statement he proposed
to base his action This man came before the
Honse with thirty years OF honorable life to
give weight to his statement; he came here with
a history which was part of the history of his
country. He had held important Offices. he had
discharged the duties of citizenship, he bad shed
his blood for his country Iapplausel and he
lMr. Cockran] would not cast vote
which would make the wounds he re-
seived in honorable service bleed sfrssh
ass ociates. Applause. 1t would rather be
his pride, as he hoped 1t would be in his power.
to vote to show that he who risked his life
10 defense of this land merited reward which
served him like armor. invincible to the
shafts of the enemy. when, in the course OF his
career. he had to defend his character against
Cockranl said, he expressed his own 10y
atty to the laws. He did not believe that
the political effect of this vote would sw. a
single member tine Democratic side far
from a sense of obligation to his conscience
TO him to vote dicrated by
political reasons. But il such a suggestion
entered the mind of any man, let Kim re-
mem Der that the best way to prevent the vote
in this case from having any effect upon
the presidential election was for Democrats SO
to comport themselves in the discharge of every
duty that presidential election would ever |
come into the Honse, but that the votes of tho |
people would decide it in favor of that party
which, he believed. was pledged to that 81 stem |
of good government which ought to win the con- |
fdence of the electors. Applause.
In conclusion, he said: believing, / do, |
while that flag which Capt. White and his |
essoci ates have kept floating aloft IN pride over |
every part of this country, floats over my head;
while fee deeply grateful to the heroes who |
preserved and cemented with their blood this |
Union, under which we live. / shall not cast |
vote which would be treason to my con stituency,
and which would pronounce a soldier of the |
Union guilty of perjury, and unworthy OF the |
association Of honorable men." Applause and |
cries of Vote" ''vote," from the Republican |
side1
Mr.. Wilson, of Minnesota. (Democrat) spoke |
In support of the contestee and declared that |
men would be moral perjurers If thew did not !
vote their honest convictions, irrespective OF ev-
cry party consideration.
Mr. Outhwaite, of Ohio, supported the major |
ity resolution, and then the House, without |
reaching n VOTE adjourned