The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-12
wIsE's FIGHT FOR A SEAT.
The Virginia Contest Under Debate in
the House.

The Virginia Contest Under Debate in
the House.
WASHINGTON, April lin the House
this morning Mr.. Lacey of Iowa called
up the contested election case of Waddill
VS.. Wise from the Third district of Vir-
ginia. Mr.. Enloe of Tennessee raised the
question of consideration.
The House decided by a vote of 124
cases, and Mr. Lacey took the fl lor with an
argument in favor Of the claims OF the con-
teStant. n
Mr.. O'Ferrall of Virginia supported the
resolution of the minority of the commi ttee
on elections, which declares the seat vacant.
After reviewing the case in detail, he en-
tered into discussion of the race question,
asserting the superiority of the Caucasian
race, and criticisihg the republicans of the
north for having done no political favors
to colored men.
This was denied by Mr.. Morse of Massa-
chusetts, who said that colored men had
frequently sat in the Massachusetts, legisla-
ture, and that the last valedictorian OF
Harvard college had been negro.
DEsERTIoN CHARGED.
Mr. Greenhalge of Massachusetts, criti-
cised the minority report of the committee
for having abandoned the sitting member.
after asserting in their report that neither
he nor his friends had done anything wrong.
If the ground taken in the report was cor
rect, this betrayal of brother was the
most shameful case of desertion that had
ever darkened the annals of the House. He
then proceeded 10 argue in favor Of the
contestant.
Mr.. Crisp OF Georgia gave an able pre-
seDtation of the case of the sitting member
as viewed from legal standpoint.
e. B. Taylor OF Oaio said that the negro
might be an inferior race now, but wait a
thousand years and see Gods purpose un-
folded. But if they were Intellectually in
ferior they we're not inferior in their legal
rights. AS for the condition of affairs at
the south, he asked the House and the Ameri-
can people if it could always be so and the
country exist.
STRONG LAW THREATENED.
He was 10th to have strong national
law that would go into the states, and still
hoped that there was power in this coun-
try that would bring about reform peace
ably and orderly He spoke in kindness and
in the hope that his words would find lodg-
ment in some minds. The black man was
not naturally the enemy of the white man.
In 1862, when his master left him at the old
homestead to go forth and fight the
army that he knew was coming
to free him, had he abused the confidence
reposed in hims He would rather have a
democratic House here honestly elected
than to have affairs as they stand. "If
God is just l tremble for my country"
said Ic, quoting jefferson; and in conclu-
sion he said 'Jn the name of God, of my
country, and Of the constitution, let it be
understood that the condition of things
shall be better from this on"
The hour of o'clock having arrived, the
House took recess to 1880 o'clock, the
evening session to be for the consideration
of private pension bills.
THE EVENING SESSION.
The House at its evening session did no
business, but the few members present re-
solved themselves into debating society,
the subjects being pensions and "war
claims.n Mr.. Enloe of Tennessee gave
notice that until the House would allow pri-
vate bills to be considered on Fridays he
would allow no pension bills to be passed on
Friday nights. He then made a long speech
in favor of the payment of southern war
claims.
Mr.. Boothman Of OHIO followed with an
exhaustive speech IN reference to pensions
Both gentlemen were constantly interrupt
ed and the House was frequently In an up
roar, laughter and excitement alternating.
On several occasions rather personal and un-
parliamentary language was INDUCED in,
but the general good humor OF the House
prevailed, and anger and Indignation were
laughed down.
The House at 1890 o'clock adjourned.