Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-04
A QUORUM PRESENT
OF Republicans Who Seat Smith
Of West Virginia,
Despls the flibustePin6 Efforts Of the
Angefed Opposition.
epssksr Reed Wins Great Victory
Smith 10 Sworn In.

WAsBIsoroK, Feb. AFTER the Us ua
proceedings regarding the reading Of tn,
journal the Speaker declared O'Ferrall o
Virginia was recognized to proceed witt
the discussion of the election case.
Bynum Of Indiana moved to adjourn
Motion was lost, yeas. l20, nays l57.
The Speaker declared the question be-
ing the contested election case.
The usual formalities we're INDUCED in.
Crisp-I raise the question Of considera-
ton.
Speaker-The Chair declines to enter.
tain the question.
Crisp-Then appeal.
Speaker--The Chair declines to enter
tain the appeal"
These formalities having been disposed
Of O'Ferfall Of Virginia Was recognized to
continue the argument in support of the
claims of the contestee in the Smith j ack-
son case.
After arguing the case O'Ferral made
allusiOn to the state of affairs with which
the House found itself confronted. He did
not believe, he said, the time would yet
come when the American people would tol-
crate sutocratic power, whether yielded by
the President of the United States, or by
the Speaker Of the House of Represent
atives of the United States. The time had
not come when the people would submit all
their interests, not to the hands Of Congress
representatives, but into the hands of one
man, whose eye directed the journal,
whose will constituted the Congress and
controlled legislation. and. whose gavel
made one, supposed to be Representative
silent silent and dumb and when it was
the sweet will Of the one man, that he
should not be heard. Autocrats could not
live in this land this is no cline for them.
Let it go out. let all give ear to this 1ec-
laration that Of necessity, the tyrsnts plea,
offered as only an excuse 70, this unseemly,
unprecede nted, unconstitutional proceed
ngs of him who for brief season would
preside over the deliberations Of this body.
He said Brief season" for a. sure ~ a
sense of judgment still dwelt in the breast
of the American people. as sure as the citi-
.ens of this land we're still jealous of their
rights and looked with alarm on the slight
est encroachments upon them. just so sure
would the democrats return to power in the
Sind Congress and there would be no
usurper, aujOcrat or dictator, occupying the
Speakers chair Applause on democratic
side).
Greeuhalge, of Msssachusetts, said. afte.
diatribe of the gentleman from Virginia
might be well to consider the question be-
fore the House involving the right mem.
Der to his seat, and proceeded to present
claims contestant. In conclusion, said il
the voice CT the people was voice of God,
then voice of God gave to the contestant
from the fourth district. West Virginia,
his rightful place in the House Applause
republican side).
Outhw ate Of Ohio, after arguing in sup
port Of the conte stee. defended the demo
cratic party in attempting to postpone the
consideration of the case, and argued it wai
perfectly proper for it to seek protection
under the code Of rules. In reply to the
invitation of the other side to leave the
hall, IL they did not wish to be counted. be
said. the democrats were here, represent
ing the majority of the people Of this coun-
try would do their duty. insist that business
should be done only under the code OF
rules.
Lacey Of Iowa. advocated the claims Of
the contestant, and Moore of Texas, those
Of the coDtestee.
Wilson of West Virginia, made an en-.
tirely good humored speech in criticism OF
the recent rulings of the Speaker. which
elected great applause and laughter, ..
we'll from his political enemies - from hii
political friends. and the Speaker could
not himself repress an occasional smile
The tyranny of the majority, he said, va.
more dangerous than the tyranny Of ar
individual man, - the constitution was full
of checks under the power of the majority
Thou shalt not" was used more fire.
ouently than Thou shalt" He had hat
an idea that the rules Of the House embod
led in the experience of past congresses
were intended to allow the House to d.
such things as it was bound to do and Il
prevent it from doing anything else. III
had supposed that the speakership was
;udicial position. He had had an idea tha
the Speaker was . Judge. He had had Al
idea that the Speaker was not . partisan
bu, would come up to the old tradition
and become worthy of his great position
Applause on the democratic side
when the speaker entered the chair b
| wilson had hoped that he would make
great and honorable speaker and leave
great name behind him In his fatal blind
ne ss he had Supposed that chastity was n
more the virtue of . woman than impair
tiality was the virtue Of the Speaker
Laughter and applause on the democrati
side Hereafter (so members were told
,enre 40 antstives we're to come here an
leri.late. In 3 good time soon to come tn
| con yression. record would shrink into th
.iy. of A volume of statute aud the statute
would assume the size Of q congressions
record. The House would appropriate
would IesisIate and would irrieate. Laugh
ter Whatever i: did it would never hei
ita,e or mediate nor cogitate. Laughter.
II would refund the taxes to those VII
wanted them refunded; it would su6s;diz
vhou.cever wanted to be subsidixed.
All members would go home With the
public buildings; and, incidentally. h
notified the House in his distric: Vas th
moss merisorious place in the country fC
the erection Of such edifce. Laughter
They would legislafe; no rules 70 imped
them in this new era of acting under ger
ersl parliamentary Law. The lobbyii
would be = power in legislation. H
lobbyist will not be obliged to 90 aroun
and give checks to individual member
Wha; had nembers to do with Liquidation
daughter The Speaker passed bills