The morning call., 1890-09-06
THE HOUSE.
The Msj ;rity Report Declaring Breckinridge'!
Seat Vacant Agreed To,

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-Ths Clayton
Breckinridge contested election case was
taken up early to-day. Breckenridge was
accorded the floor in his OWN behalf. He
denied that the murders in his district, as
charged by the Committee on Elections, had
any political significance. The men who
charged, either On the floor or in the press,
that the people OF Arkansas, or any group of
people representing that State, had ever
shown sympathy with the Infamous murder
of Clayton, or that he (Breckinridge) had
any knowledge of it in the remotest degree,
uttered that which was cowardly and mean,
and which they knew TO be false. Demo
cratic app anse.
breckenridge continued by arraigning the
committee us biased. Clayton, he said, was
his bosom friend. 1t had been said lie
should have resigned after the murder. To
have done so would have been to admit that
he believed the Clayton murder affected the
result of the election, and to have taken the
case from the Republican House, which
alone had jurisdiction
He then turned to Judge Mcclure, stating
tina. on the return Of the subcommittee the
Republican members indorsed Mcclure for
a high official position in Arkansas.
Lacey OF Ohio, Chairman of the sub-com-
mittee, said he recommended Judge Mcclure
in strong terms, believing him to be one of
the best and most competent men in Ar
kansas.
Breckinridge proceeded TO quote from a
statement made BY Mr.. Blackburn, a Re-
publican, to show the bad character of Nc
Clure. He criticized in severe language the
action OF the subcommittee, asserting that
he had been denied witnesses after he had
been promised they would be accorded him.
No greater debauchery of free ballot had
ever been committed than that committed by
the committee. He said, in conclusion:
Come to your conclusion and will take an
appeal to the people, regardless of party, in
the district l have the honor TO represent, on
the broad ground of common honesty, and in
November they will reverse your conclusion
and the method OF your conclusion" Demo-
cratic applause.
DalZell OF Pennsylvania read in detail the
testimony bearing on the theft OF the ballot
box at Plummerville, aud said its theft was
absolutely necessary to Breckinridge's re-
turn, and yet lie stood here and asserted
that it had been stolen by Republicans. The
House stood dumfounded in the face OF
such sublime embodiment of impudence.
lie commented upon the backwardness of
the State of Arkansas in endeavoring to
hunt down the murderers from her desc
Grated soil. The blood of John NJ Clayton
cried To heaven. not for vengeance, but for
justice; and the members of both sides were
here as sacred ministers TO execute her just
DEGREES. Republican applause.]
The debate having closed, Crisp of Georgia
moved to recommit the case. with instruc-
tions to the Committee on Elections to re-
port which of the gentlemen received a
majority Of the votes of the Second District
OF Arkansas. Lost-Ayes IS. noes 101.
vote was then taken on the minority
resolution confirming Breckinridge's right
to the seat. Lost-Ayes 81, noes 103
The resolution declaring the seat vacant
was agreed 10. Ayes 105, noes e..
The House then took q recess, the evening
session 10 be for the consideration of private
pension bills
The House ut the evening session passed
thirty pension bills. and at 10 80 adjourned