New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-04
SEATED BY THE HOUSE.
WITH WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT,
SWORN IN
A QUORUM OF REPUBLICANS PRESENT FOR THE
FIRST TIME SINCE THE ASSEMBLING OF
CONGRESS - DEMOCRATIC SPEECHES
A QUORUM OF REL
AGAINST SPEAKER REEDS RULING.

Washington. Feb. 3.-The Journal Of the House
having been read in full at the demand of the Demo
Gratis Mr.. O'Ferrall Of Virginia, and Mr. Mckinney
of Ohio. upon their feet, the former with
motion to correct the Journal, and the latter with
motion to approve that document. The Speaker
recognized Mr.. Mckinley but subsequently. on Mr.
O'Ferralls statement that he was acting In good
faith. recognized that member who stated that inc
Journal contained reference to the fact that inc
Speaker saturday last would not allow MIN 10
read the evidence in the election case Us part OF
his remarks.
The Speaker said that that was not exactly in the
form OF ruling but that the Journal would be
amended to show the fact.
Mr.. Mckinley then demanded the previous question
ON his motion to approve the journal. The vote
resulted-yeas, 154; nays 0-and the Speaker dol
lowing his precedent OF ordering entered upon tho
journal the names OF dozen Democrats present ana
not voting declared the previous question ordered
On the motion to approve the Journal, the same
practice prevailed the speaker declaring the motion
carried by vote of-yeas, 1853; nays, o.
Nj. Bynum, Of Indiana. moved to adjourn The
motion lost-yeas, 100; nays, 157; and the
Speaker declared the question to be on the contested
election
Mr.. Crisp-I raise the question Of consideration
The Speaker-The Chair declines to entertain the
question.
Mr.. Crisp-Then I appeal.
The speaker-And the Chair declines to entertain
the appeal.
These formalties having been disposed Of, Mr..
OFerrall was recognized to continue his argument
in support of the claims Of the conestee in the Smith
Jackson election case. After arguing the case, Mt
OFerrall made allusiOn TO the state Of affairs with
which the House found itself confronted lie dd
not believe, he said that the time had yet come-and
God grant it might never come-~hen the American
people would tolerate autOcratc power whether
welded by the President Of the United States or by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The time had not cOme-and God grant 1t might
never come-when the people, breathing the inspiring
sentiments OF free institutions, which to-day
filed tho eyes Of all other Nations with envy, would
submit all their interests, not to the hands Of
Congress Of Representatives but INTO the hanus Oh
one man. whose eve directed the journal, whose VIII
constituted the Congress and controlled legislation,
and whose gel made one supposed TO be Representa-
tive silent and dumb when il the sweet Will OF
the one man that lie should not be heard. AS surely
Is a Of judgment still dwelt In inc breast
of the American people, as surely as the cuzens OF
this land still Jealous of their rights ana looked
with alarm on the slightest encroaclment upon them'
Just so surely would the Democrats return to power In
the LID Congress and there would be no usurper'
autocrat dictator occupying the Speakers CHAIR
(Applause on Democratic side)
Mr.. Greenhalge, of Massachusetts, said that after
the diatribe of the gentleman from Virginia II might
be well to consider the question before the House,
involving the right of a member TO his seat lie
then proceeded TO present the claims Of the con-
testant.
Mr. Cultivate OF Ohio, after arguing in support
OF the contestee defended tho Democratic party In
attempting TO postpone the consideration OF the case
and argued that It perfectly proper for ii to seek
protection under code Of rules. In reply to the
invitation Of the other side 10 leave the hall they
did not wish to be counted he said that the Democrats
OF
ths country and would do their duty and insist
that business should be done only under code OF
rules.
Mr.. Lacey, of Iowa. advocated the claims Of the con-
tesant and Mr.. Moore, Of Texas, those Of the con
testee
Mr. Wilson, Of West Virginia, while not addressing
himself especially to the consideration of the election
case made an entirely good umored speech in criti
cism Of the recent rulings of the speaker which elected
great applause and laughter as well from his political
enemies as from his political friends and the Speaker
could not himself repress an occasional smile MrWson
riGcued the expressions which had been made by
members on the other side Of the House in regard to
their conversion from the belief that the methods Of
GIibustering were admissible by the minority. The
tyranny of a majority, he said, was more dangerous
than the tyranny Of individual man. and so the Con
stitution fun Of checks upon the power OF the
majority lie had had an idea OF the rules OF the House
embodied the experience of past Congresses lie had
He had had an idea that the Speaker not partisan,
hut would come up the old traditions, and become
worthy If his great position CAP
plause on Democratic side) In his fatal
blindness he had supposed that chastity
was no more the virtue of a woman than imDartality
was the virtue Of a speaker. daughter and applause
on the Democratic side. lie had also supposed that
the rules built up by the experience Of the past were
almost the sole buwarh to protect the Treasury of
the United states to stop the spoation of the
people and TO Obsruct the schemes that came in by
the CARLOAD. But this had been when he sat in
darkness aud in ignorance, and before he had learned
the immense advantage Of general parliamentary law
Qaughter)
lie could now tell what parliamentary Law was The
essential that each ruling Of the speaker should
be placarded in advance as theatIlcd
bills were as the first and only appear
ances QaugherJ Iereafer->O members wera
told Representatives to come here and legs
late The House would appropriate, ii would legs
late. it would irrigate laughter, and whatever IL
did il would never hesitate, nor mediate, nor cosi-
tate. Naughter) ii would refund taxes 10 those
who yanted them refunded: it would substitute who
home with their public buildings, and. incidentally he
informed the House that IN his district was the most
meritorious place the country Tor the erection OF
such an cddce. Gaughter.l They would leglslatc'
there were no rules TO impede them. Pfoceedlns ne
said that i'm this era-acting under general par
Elementary law-the lobbyist would be power IN
legislation. The speaker pas?ed tae Glis ;o va
have 10 come here not TO bother With members. but
To- see the speaker. as much cheaper ana more
effective way of lobbying Let not gentlemen on the
other side hesitate to 20 on. In the language OF u
nance they had caught the Democrats short on the
market 0aughter) Let them press their advantage
,vhiIe they had il. Like Moses flying from the rod
which he had flung down. and which had turned into
SERPENT the Republican party would flee from " gen
eriI parliamentary law" long before this session adj
jOurned. -, -., - .,ou,,., .,o ,ra
vious question the adoption Of the report OF the Com
mittee on Elections. and 1t was ordered Yeas. 100
This is the first time since the meeting of Congress
that the Republicans have had a quorum voting ana
he result was received with applause. The only az.
sentces on the Republican side Messrs. CasweH
and WIber. both of whom arr sick.
Eonr roll calls were required before the vote came
finally ON seating smith. the contestant: but at the
end ne was declared entitled TO the seat. by vote