Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-12
MR. SPRIGG'S SPEECH.

a Strong Presentation of the Democratic
archaeological and Convincing Argu
ments Why the Vote on GOVernorship
should Not be Resd OF Deolared-A Fear
less, Honest Investigation Wanted.
Sosc,cl Correspondence Of ne Register.
CHARLESTON, February 1.-THE ad-
dresses delivered in the joint assembly,
considering the election returns were
probably more carefully studied than any
made during ths present session. Those
Of Messrs. Price, Fiournoy, Sprigg and
Lively on the Democrat ic side were espec-
tally forcible and convincing. There is a
general desire on the part of the Demo-
cratic members that their addresses should
be published, as they contain complete
statement Of the Democratic position
Below will Re found s full synopsis Of
General SErigg's excellent speech. in
many respects it was one of the sblest
speeches made in the assembly, and leaves
nothing to be said in maintenance Of the
ground that the vote on Governor should
not be Rad or declared.
The joint assembly having under oonsid-
Grafton the proposition TO refer the returns
of the late election for the Office of Cover
nor to the joint Committee on Contest,
when appointed, without publishing the
same or declaring the result of the election
on the face of the returns, Mr. Sprigs said;
THE ADDRESS.
NR. SpEAKER:-T subject before Us
deserves that grave consideration it's i'm
portance demands. 1t is a subject on
which the Wisest Statesmen and Jurlsis
might differ in opinion. l deprecate the
altitude assumed toward it by gentlemen
on the other side of this chamber. They
set and speak in such manner as to IN
sinuats that this side is insincere II the pc
sition il has taken on the subject, and they
have not hesitated to use language toward
GA which is unparliamenlsry rs 1t Is IN
inst and unfounded IN fact. 4 position
deliberately taken by a body of men,
bound by their Oaths, cannot be surrendered
10 a sneer or a taunt, nor can 1t be yielded
because the charge is made that 1t Is revo-
lutionary and wholly unsupported by the
Constitution or reason. The gentlemen on
the Republican side Of TINS chamber an-
swer that they are sincere and ace are DOt.
They wrap themselves up IN the robes OF
self-righteousness and stand here with up
lifted hands and seem to say God, thank
Thea that we are not as other men, nor
even as these unhOly Democrats"
Mr. Speaker, want to ask, when dld
the Republican party become so attached
to the Constitution? When did they show
. suprerne regard for that sacred instru-
ment? The Republican party was found
ed by 2 man who declared, openly and
boldly. in the face of the whole country,
that there was an 'irrepressible contiict"
in this country, and that there WAS q
'Ligher lac than tie Constitution" Sir,
the history OF the Republican party has
been
ONE OF USURPATION
and Constitutional disregard, and the
Snpreme Court Reports are full of decl-
sions stamping out their acts OF criminal
disregard of plain, fundamental, COnstitu-
tiopal principles. That party, it seems to
me sir. has worshiped 70 god but smbi-
tion and acknowledged no criterion but
success.
The Senator from Jackson has said in
this discussion that we on this side
are ruled by King Caucus. How
does the Senator know that? How
did he become possessed of our secrets? Did
he oct them in an honorable way? If 80,
does he think it becoming to betray them
upon this floOr? Sir, denOunce the state
meut of the Senator as utterly
UNFOUNDED IN FACT.
They talk about King Csucus How
utterly absurd, coming from that side. If
I were disposed to rehash langusge-to
disregard the position 1 occupy, the peO-
ole who sent me here, and the grave and
important business we are engaged in, l
mieht very we'll say 10 tie gentlemen who
have made these unbeComing charges and
rs,kless statements on this floor while en-
gsged in the d discharge OF grave constltu-
tional duty, the difference between our
caucus and yours is that ours is composed
of forty-six free and independent cii
xsns Of West Virginia, and yours
of but one man, and that msn
General Nathan GOff, who owns you all,
bcdy. soul, breeches, boots and shoes.
Mr.. Stuck-Does the gentleman from
Isrdy make that charge?
Mr.. Sprigg-No, do not; l have too
much seli-respect-toO much respect for tine
psople of the State and the interests of the
state. and feel the gravity Of the occasion
| 900 r,uch much 20 make SO
r-NPARLIANIENTARY AND UNDIGNIFIED
charge in this discussion. The time, the
nlace and the business We are about al
for5id h. All such unmanly and unbe-
coaipg laugusge and charges l leave to the
other side of this joint assembly.
Mr. Hanen-Did understand the gen
tlemap from Hardy 20 say that his side 1as
moi dopted in caucus the policy tney are
pursuing here in this joint assembly
Il Mr.. Sprigg-I have not heretofore ssla
50 but / do now say so, and the member
of this Joint assembly who says to the con-
trarv utters that which is without the
sIio6test foundation in fact. Bat, Nc.
Speaker, suppose we had: What great
wrong would there be in iIs Is it wrong