The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-27
WEST vIRGrNIA's CONTEST.
Mr.. Greenhalge Pays a Tribute to the
Sitting Democratic Member.

Mr.. Greenhalge Pays Tribute to the
Sitting Democratic Member.
WASHINGTON, Feb 26. - Immediately
after the reading of the journal in the
House this forenoon, Mr.. Rowell of Illinois
called up the contested election case of At
kinson VS.. PendletoD, from the First district
of West Virginia 1t was agreed that SIX
hours debate should be allowed, after which
the previous question is to be considered as
ordered.
The case of the contestant was cham
pioned by Mr.. Rowell and Mr.. Pendleton's
claims were maintained by Mr.. O'Ferrall
of Virginia. Mr.. Rowell was seconded by
Mr.. Lacey of Iowa; and Mr.. O'Ferral by
Mr.. Wilson of Missouri. All the speeches
were confined to an analysis Of the evidence
and were dry and uninteresting The
only life infused into the debate was con-
tributed by Mr.. Greenhalge of Massachu-
setts, who, while addressing himself to the
evidence, did so with so much quiet sarcasm
as to elicit laughter and applause from both
sides of the House. His quiet reference to
"the extreme leniency with which the
speaker treats the other side Of the House"
was thoroughly enjoyed. and his humorous
dissection of the minority report highly
entertained the House.
A PARTING TRIBUTE.
In conclusion he said: "While I do not
believe that the gentleman from West Vir-
ginia (Mr. Pendletonl was duly elected to
the seat ne occupies, take pleasure in say
ing, at least, that not page of this record,
(alluding to the record in the case, is
stained by any improper conduct on his
part; and take greater pleasure in saying
that his conduct while in this House has
been that of dignity, of man
hood and Of courtesy. l say
that it is a great pleasure if
the bitterness Of political warfare can The
ameliorated by finding our enemies-the
men we have to contest with-men of heroic
and chivalric mould. Under these circum-
stances we have a right to love our enemies,
and thank our friend that he has at least
permitted meito know "The fierce Joy which
warriors feel in foemen worthy of their
STEEL" When, the other day, under our
very eyes, we saw number
of gentlemen on that side undergoing
the horrible transformation wrought on
the unhappy followers Of Ulysses byi the
art Of Circe, am glad TO say that one of
the notable exceptions of that horrid rout
was the gentleman from West Virginia.
UTTERED NO BILLINGsGATE.
"No billingsgate polluted his lips. He did
not writhe in parliamentary or unparlia-
mentary commissions. He did not froth at
the mouth and protest that he was making
a constitutional argument; and when the
still, strong man in the blatant crowd
was striding about the House
like Gulliver among the Lilliputians
the gentleman from West Virginia
was setting an example which many of his
colleagues would have done well to follow.
Therefore, though I must admit that the
contingency of my friends return to the
House is somewhat remote despite the
gloomy prophesy of the gentleman from
Missouri), at least he goes back to the peo-
pie of West Virginia with the assurance of
one republican Gf that is worth anything
in the First Congressional district of West
Virginia) that he has proved to this House
and to the country that the grand old name
of gentleman. with the nobility, and man
hood, and refinement that it implies, has
not lost all honor and respect in the first
legislative body in the world-the congress
of the United States" [Applause.1
Pending further debate the House adj
journed.