The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-21
CARLISLE-THEBE.

Tho House Censiders the Cs,rnmittee's Report,
but Faiis- ssvacn a Conclusion.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2o.-In the House. to-day.
H.. Crisp, of Georgia. called up the Thoebs-
Carlisle contest election Mr.. Crisp opened
the debate by reviewing the proceedings before
the committee elections. with regard TO re-
opening the case. He justified the majority Of
the commi ttee in deciding that the case should
not be reopened The contestant had submitted
afidavts charging frauds, and the contestse
submitted afidavits and records in reply. which,
in the minds of the majority, overwhelmingly
established the fact that il the case were re-
opened, the contestant could not prove single
charge he had m ade.
Mr.. Lyman, of Iowa. knew of no reason why
the House should not reopen the case. Grave
charges had been made by the contestant in af-
fidaviss-ex parte affdavits. it was true-and
they had been answered by other parte affi-
davits. Strong efforts had been made to pre-
vent an investigation of those charges. Were
the contestee and his friends afraid of the TRUTH
Did his friends doubt their ability to go into the
Sixth district of Kentucky and establish beyond
controversy that the charges of the contestant
were not true2 The fact that there was such .
constant determination that the events OF the
election should not be investigated suggested to
his mind that there was something wrong.
Mr.. Cooper, OF Ohio, spoke in support of the
majority report. 1t had been charged that
there was conspiracy, Immediately after the
election, between Mr.. Carlisle and his friends
for the purpose of fixing up the matter for Car
lsle-a charge that was proved to be wholly uu-
founded and based only on the idle chaf which
was frequently found floating around in the at
mospher4 after an election.
Mr. Rowell, of Illinois, took the view
and argued that the committee on elections had
followed precisely the proper course IN refusing
to reopen the case upon the evidence present ed
to it.
Mr.. LODGE Of Massachusetts, spoke in support
of the minority. The pending case. he said.
was too important to be settled by afidavits. II
which deserved the attention of ths
American Congress. Considering particularly
the enormous disparity between the contestant
and the contestee the House should proceed
with great circumspection. The contestee was
the candidate of the labor organizations. His
case had been shockinglv msmanaged. he
came now and threw himself on the mercy of the
House. There was widespread belief among
the great working classes that the power of the
CORPORATION, the power of the ring and the power
OF men high in authority and backed by money
and influence had enormous weight in all
legislative bodies of the country. 1t was
dangerous, unwholesome belief. He thought
that when man belonging to the working class
came before the House ASKING for rehearing is
would do no harm TO any man or TO the Congress,
to the interests OF the people to have that
mans case heard. The House could afford TO
temper justice with very large measure OF gen.
erosity
On motion of Mr.. Crisp Mr.. Thooe the con-
testant. granted an hour in which 70 pre-
sent an argument IN his own behalf. he read
from a communication which ha had sent to the
chairman OF the committee on elections. pro-
testing against an uufavorable report upon his
request until he had opportunity TO examine
the affidavts presented by the eontestee. In
this communication he reiterated, IN part. tho
statements contained in his affidavit filed with
the COMMITTEES; denied the truth of some of the
Afidavits filed by the Speaker, and declared his
ability TO disprove the accuracy of others il
granted an opportunity. He was sorry, he con-
tinued that the working classes were beginning
10 lose confidence in the security OF the ballot.
IF the ballot was not secure. what did they have
leftf lApplause the Republican side Hs
honor exactly to be member of this House.
meant Was that mechanic was just as honora-
gentleman hero would rather be right than be
President these seats would be filed By tina
right men. Laughter-l He did not propose to
make any capital ont of the fact tnat he Was
worgingman. He was not here for favor, but
for simple Justice -
The previous question was then ordfred upon
the resolution of the majority OF the fommitteo
which confirms the title OF Mr.. CaHfsle 70 his
seat--and upon resolution in the 4ature ora
substitute offered by Mr.. Lyman, Ola. deciar-
ing that the contest is OF such fmpor9anc@ 10 tno
sitting member and to the people OF the country
that it is entitled to full, thorou9h and Impair
tial investigation and providing that the papers
in the case be printed and referred to select
committee or u subcommittee OF the elections
committee, which shall be authorised 10 invesa