The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-29
MUDDY WORK.
THE ELECTION CASE OF MUDD
REPUBLICAN, VS.. COMPTON,.
The Republicans Decided TO Put NJ add in
His seat, But Are Forced TO Hesitate
Washington News In General

Washington News in General.
WASHINGTON. d. c., January 2S.-The
House Committee on Elections to-day heard
argument in the contested case Of Mudd
against Compton, from Maryland. The Re
publicans have predetermined this case.
They settled among themselves before it
was even submitted that they would report
in favor OF Mudd, as one OF the contestants,
10 be seated, in order TO swell the Republi-
can majority. But the argument presen-
ted by Mr.. Compton's attorneys to-day will
render il n more difficult task than the Re-
: puhlicans had anticipated. In behalf Of
Nlr. Compton 10 was clearly and indisputa-
bly, shown that he was elected, not only
on the iace Of the returns. but that he had a
clear majority after sitting the votes
and discardng those illegally cas-. II
was shown that under the Mary
land law which governs congressional
elections, the judges are compelled to ex-
clude the vote of every man not uamed and
entered upon the poll list furnished them by
the registrar. This shuts out the votes
claimed by Mudd. and with the exclusion
Of those votes he has no case. In
word. every feature Of the case,
upon which Mudd depends was to-day
overturned and the Republicans Of the
committee let 10 appear that they
were staggered. They had listened to
Mudd and his misrepresentation until they
had persuaded themselves that il would be
easy 90 unseat Compton, but tonight they
are seriously canyassing among themselves
TO determine how TO get over the strong
points made for the latter
IMPROVING ATLANTIC HARBORs.
A.
90 make appropriation for the prompt and
speedy completion Of the principal harb0rs
ON the Atlantic sea coast. He holds that
the dilatOry policy Of river and harb0r ap-
/ preparations Is unwise and detrimental.
As is we'll known, the River and Harbor
hill IS always gotten through by means OF
combination; that il is commonly
called a log-rolling BILL because
Senator's and Representatives insist that it
shall contain appropriations intended TO aid
them i'm reelection. Senator German SAYS
that the large harbOrs and the works Of inn
prOyement before them now pending. are
too important 10 be hindered and embar
rassed by connection with the improvement
Of small inland rivers; that frequently the
needed appropriations for these harb0rs
are cut down in order that more
money may be granted 10 small and COM
paratiycly insignificant works lie there
fore proposes 10 take these harbOr improve
ments out Of the river and harbOr bill and
provide for them by special enactment For
this purpose he to-day introduced a bill 10
appropriate SlJ7, for the completion Of
Norfolk harbOr and approaches; SlOO,OOO for
Baltimore; 100000 for Charleston, ;. c.,
and Sj0O. 900 for SayanEah, Ga. This money
is 90 be expended under the direction Of the
Secretary Of War. and of course by the en-
gincer corps. but instead Of being connect
cd with all other river and harbOr works,
the harb0r improvements will be pushed
right along to completion.
MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES.
ON the 9th Of next month general hear
ing will be granted by the House Commit
zee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 10 all
persons interested either for or against Mr..
farquhar's Loading Line bill. which pro-
yides that American steamers shall not
land beyond a certain prescribed line. As
il is measure that will materially affect
all steamboat interests, il is expected there
will be many persons present TO express
themselves.
THE NATIONAL PENITENTIARY BILL.
The House to-day passed the National
Penitentiary bin, lt provides for three
government penitentiaries, one 20 be To-
Gated i'm the North, one in the South, and
dispatches have explained, the bill makes
an appropriation Of 100000 for the erection
of each building. and Of 100000 each 10
equip 10 with workshops, tools, DC.
A pension has been granted 10 Charles
Crilly, Of the National Military Home.
Virginia pOstmasters were to-day appoint
ed as follows: Thomas Mock, Atlantic, Ac-
c0mac county, vice Mrs. l.. b. Parsons, re-
moved; j. ID. Matthews, CObb's Creek, /
by United Press
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In tho senate to-day the direct tax bill
was taken up. Mr.. Vest expressed his OPP
position TO the bill, as did also Mr.. Berry
who asked tor the ayes and nays.
Mr.. Sherman made q brief statement Of
the history Of the tax, and said its passage
would remove bone Of contention and re-
pair an injustice.
Sir. Vest said its passage was a f0regOne
conclusion, but he stood by his record OF
opposition, and especially by President
Ileyeland's veto Of the same bill. lie re-
garded tho measure as utterly indefensible, |
without constitutional authority and un-
warranted by precedent
Mr. Vance offered as an amendment, a
proposition 10 refund the cotton tax. Re
'ected-yeas lj, NAYS -. hCssrs. Blair and
Call opposed the bill.
After further debate the bill passed by
vote OF A 20 7. The negative votes were
Messrs. Berry, Blair, Call, Coke, Plumb, |
Vance. and est. (Ihe bill makes II the duty
Of the Secretary OF the Treasury 90 credit 10
each state and Territory OF the United states
and the District Of Columbia sum equal
DO all collection from them under the direct
TAX bin of 1861.
FANsE's ILL-IREArAfENT.
The Senate then resumed consideration OF
Mr.. Chandler's resolution regarding the ILL
treatment of Fanse at Aberdeen, Miss, and
Mr.. George argued against 10, declaring his
belief that It's adoption would De serious
inllacti0n of the constitution and very Be-
ri0us encr0achment on the rights Of the peo-
pie OF Mississippi.
Mr. George said that not only did he con-
denim the hanging in eiigy Of any respect
able officer OF the United States under any
conditions or prOyOcatiOn, but in the case
of Secretary Proctor there was no prOYOca- !
ton for the insult. lie had never heard
from any Southern Democrat any other
comment on The conduct Of secretary Proc
tor. for which that indignity had been at
tempted % be inflicted upon him. except
that lac had performed a painful and deli
cate duty with consideration 10 the feelings,
the prejudices even, Of the people OF the
south.
Mr. George said that the resolution
sought % biacken the name and reputation
of the people Of Mississippi, whom he eulo-
xized in the highest terms, instancng
among other distinguished citizens Of that
State, Jefferson Davis, who had never be-
trayed his trust on failed in the discharge Of
bis full duty. whether he served the United
states OF tie C0niederacy.' lie claimed,
in conclusion, that tue pending resolution
was without any warrant in the LOnstltu-
ton that Senators had sworn to support. II
the senate was 10 20 on this crusade
against the white people Of Mississippi,
would it not be well, he asked, for the sen
ate 20 set an example 70 that despairing
people Of an.Obaeryance Of the Constitution!
Mr. SpOOner said that 30 far as the resOlu-
ton appeared ON its face, II was not as
sumption by the senate % deal with crimes,
isolated or general. in the state OF Missls-
.ippi. The hanging in elfgy Of Secretary
Proctor brought into the sunlight the indif-
ference 70 law and decency in the South, Of
which the country has for many years had
occasion 10 complain.
Mr.. spOOner further said he regretted that
the senator from Mississippi (Mr. George)
had felt called upon 20 pronounce eulogy
an IaHarson naNis IL was natural that the