The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1890-02-27

HOuSE.-lmmcdiatcl after the read
ing of the journal Mr. Rowell OF Ilinoi.
called up the contested election case o
Atkinson vs.. Pendlcton from the first
district of West Virginia. It was agreed
that six hours debate shouldbe allowed
after which the precious question was tc
be considered as ordered. =
The case of the contestant was cham
pioned by Mr.. Rowcll. and Mr.. Pcndlc
tons claims were maintained by Mr.. o.
Fcrrall of Virginia. Mr.. Rowcll was sec,
ondcd by Mr.. Lacey of Iowa, and Mr.
O'Ferrall by Mr.. Wilson of Missouri
All the speeches were confined to an
analysis of the evidence, and were dry
and unintercsting The only life infused
into the debate was contributed by Mr..
Grcenhalge of Mass, who, while address
ing himself to the evidence, did so with
so much quiet sarcasm as to elicit laugh-
ter and applause from both sides OF the
house. His quiet reference to "thc cx-
treme lcnicucy 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.
." S'hNitSiol stA. w wv i't
believe that the gentl man from West
Virginia { Mr.. Pcndlctonl was duly elect
cd to the seat he occupies, take
pleasure in saying, at least, that not a
page OF this record alluding to the record
iii the easel is stained by any improper
conduct on his part, and ] take greater
pleasure in saving that his conduct while
i'll this house has been that of dignity of
manhood and of courtesy. say that il
IS great pleasure II the bitterness of po-
litical warfare can bc amcliorated by
finding our enemics-tlc men we have to
contest with-mcn Of heroic and cl,ivalric
mould. Under these circumstances we
have q right to love our enemies. and !
thank our friend that he at least permit
ted me to know the fierce joy which
warriors feel in focman worthy of their
Steel
"Whcn the other day. under our very
eyes we saw number OF gentlemen on
that side undergoing the horrible trans.
formation afflicted on the unhappy fol-
lowers OF Ulysses by the art Of Gree. |
am glad to say that one of tic notable
exceptions OF that lorrid rout was the
gentleman from West Virginia. No Bill-
inesgatc polluted his lips. lie did not
writhc in parliamentary or unparliamcn-
tary convulsions. lie did not iroth at
the mouth and protest that he was max
ing constitutional argument, and when
the strong man III the blatant crowd was
striding about the house like Gullivcr
among the Lilliputians, the gentleman
fromWcst Virginia was setting an example
which many of his colleagues would have
done well to follow.
Therefore, though mus, admit that
the contingency Of my friends return to
/ he house is somewhat remote, despite
the gloomy prophecy OF the gentleman
from Missouri. at least he gocs back to
the people Of West Virginia with the as.
surancc OF one republican. il that is worth |
in the LIST congressional dis.
lrict of West Virginia, that he has
proved To this house and to the country
that the grand old name of the gentle.
man, with the nobility and manhood and
refinement that il implies has not lost
all honor and respect in the first lcgisla-
tive body in the world. the congress Of
he United States" applause
Pending further debate, the house ad.
ourncd.