The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-12
JOHN M. CLAYTON'S CASE.
A RESOLUTION OFFERED IN THE
HOUSE YESTERDAY.
The Appointm emit of Committee to Take
. Testimony is Asked-The Privileges
and Functions OF tho Committee Set
Forth In Detail.

WASHINGTON, Feb. H. Representative
Grosvenor today offered resolution relat-
ing to recent events in the Second Con-
gressonal District OF Arkansas, which cul-
minated in the assassi nation Of Hon. John
NJ. Clayton, OF that State. A preamble to
the resolution recites the nomination Of
Clifton H. Breckenridge and John NJ.
Clayton as rival candidates from the
Second District Of Arkansas; that such
proceedings were held at the election, and
in and about the canvassing OF the votes
cast thereat and making returns OF the
same, as that said Breckenridge was de-
clared elected, received the certificate and
his name has been placed by the Clerk Of
the House upon the roll OF members.eect
OF the next House.
Continuing the preamble rccites that
Clayton claimed that Breckenridge was not
legally elected, and that he (Clayton) re-
ceived u great majority Of the votes east
and was entitled 30 the certificate and
moved contest, which was pending on
January 30 when testimony was being
taken to establish Claytons allegations:
that while personally supervising the work
Clayton was assassinatod, and that there is
no doubt rs TO the legal effect upon the
contest which the death Of Clayton will
have; that there is no one legally author
lied TO proceed 10 complete the taking Of
the testimony in the contest, and other
wise prepare II for hearing and proper de-
cisiun, and that there are questions arising
upon and in relation to the contest diilicult
OF determination. The resolution. there
fore, provides that committee OF five
members Of the House, who are now mem
beers oil the Committee ON Elections, and
who are elected 10 the Filty-lirsl Congress,
be appointed 10y the Speaker; that the
committee shall proceed without delay and
take testimony touching the issues joined
in the contest, ascertain all tho
facts relating To the election and
contest, and report TO the next
House OF Representatives on the LIST
day Of the first session thereof. or as soon
thereafter ~ the report may be completed
and ready for submission. The committee
Is 10 be authorized to send for persons and
papers. issue processes and employ ste
nographons aud assistants. The resolution
provides, further, that II, in the opinion OF
the Committee ON Elections OF this House,
there In no authority Of existing law to
continue, prosecute aud carry ON the con-
test for or against the right Of member
10 his seat In the FifIy-iirst Congress un-
der the circumstances alleged and de-
scribod In the preamble hereto, then said
committee shall DO authorized 10 report by
bill or otherwise such act or resolution ms
may be necessary In the premises to ac-
complish the object therein stated, and
said committee may report IA a matter of
privilege at any time, aud their report and
It's consideration and final disposition shall
at all times. he matter OF the highest
privilege, and shall. until disposed OF, take
precedence OF all legislation other than
the consideration Of pending contested
election cases. The resolution was re-
iorrcd TO the Committee on Elections.