New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-13
SMALIS SPEAKS IN his OWN BEHALF'
HIS CASE STRONGLY ADVOCATED by MEssRs.
COOPER AND M'coMAs.
VARIOUS POINTS IN DISPUTE.

Washington, Feb. IL (specaD The debate in the
House to-day on the South Carolina election
lively and Interesting, and In one respect, at least,
amusing Colonel O'Fetrall, Of Virginia, Is a MEM
Der OF the Committee Elections. but his speech to-
day was addressed not much to the case In hand
as 10 the Democrats Of Virginia, whose candidate for
Governor no wants 10 be at the election next fall.
With that object I'm view he speech rather astute.
The part Of It which Colonel oFerra devoted 10 show
ing that Abraham Lincoln was opposed TO the abol'
ton OF slavery was amusing II not instructive. Mr..
Cooper, Of Ohio, another member Of the committee,
ana one OF the ablest lawyers in the House. made most
effective and logical arguments In favor of the
testant. Mr. Johnston, Of Indiana and Mr.. Nc
Comas. OF Maryland both spoke the same side Mr.
McComas's speech attracted good deal OF attention,
being largely devoted 20 an argument IN favor Of Ma
tonal election law TO govern the election OF Repre-
scniatlvcs in Congress- aud 10 prevent bribery and
intimidation. The speech of Cultivate, OF Ohio, in
favor Of retaining Elliott In his seat school
mastery effort
Mr.. o'Ferrall I'm opening the debate argued that
snalls had been guilty of intimidation aud declared
that many of the negroes OF the With District Of
South Carolina had refused to vote for convicted
and sentenced felOn
Mr.. Cooper OF Ohio, denounced the election law OF
South Carolina as partisan but declared that IN spite
Of this fact IN face of the possession by the Democrats
showing an unjust exercise Of the registration law
I'm spite OF all the frauds and mscOunts and onirages
ing 10 the returns Of the election managers, than
1900 majority lie characterized as nOnsenseal the
idea that nine years after smals had been pardOned
and efter he had been returned 10 Congress IN the
meantime the people Of his own race would refuse IL
vote for him because Of these facts,
Mr. Johnston OF Indiana, declared that the Elections
Committee had done smas great Injustice as by u,
own findings, smals had 277 majority He challenged
the Democratic members 10 meet the proof OF intlmda
ton IN tho case.
Mr. MeComas OF Maryland, said that after eighteen
years OF negro suffrage, THIS case was only striking
case OF usuipatlun OF power. After two decades Of
negro suffrage the white Democratic Representatives
In Congress from the Black Belt declared that The
blacks were 10 DO forever servile All the apOOgsls
for such crimes as abounded In this case insisted that
they were necessary TO keep up the
white rule I'm the south, because intelligence
character and property had the right 20 rule
With white rule secure I'm the black States IL pain
FIJI 10 consider how uttlo political discussion had adj
vanced. Surely Bourbonsn, after quarter OF
century, had made progress with the negro problem
had been a failure and a curse 70 the South The
manufactures and industries OF tne United States would
not long tolerate the counting Of tho black I'm
sentatiOn whereby one free trade vote IN South Caro-
lima awaited as much as five white Protection vofes
In Kansas.
In this time Of peace Congress should now by Law
make aud alter the regulations of the States North and
south BY general Federal law 10 prevent bribery aud
intimidation alike and 10 secure an honest count and
return OF the election Of Representatives IN Congress
THO contestant smalls then advocated his own
claims He had supposed, he said that the case was
10 be tried upon the eNldence taken, but he fOunu
that he was placed upon trial for an act said to have