The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-06
BRECKINRIDGE'S DENIAL.
TIE CHARGES OF THE RADICALS
HURLED IN THEIR TEETH.


Regret for Clayton's Killing.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 8. - Immediately
after the reading of the journal in the
House this morning the Clayton -Breckin-
ridge case was again taken up, and
Mr.. Breckinridge was accorded the floor to
argue in his own behalf. BE charged the
chairman of the committee on elections
tMr. RowelD with impropriety in preju-
dfcing the case. That gentleman In dis
cussing another election case has referred
to the case from the second Arkansas dis
trict, and had declared that in that district
five political murders had occurred. He
called upon the gentleman to name the muir
dered man.
. Mr.. Rowell said that they were Messrs
Benjamin, Smith, Bently and Clayton;
while an attempt has been made to assassi-
nate Mr. Wahl
ITS CORRECTNESS DENIED.
Mr.. Breckenridge denied the correctness
OF this statement and called attention to the
fact that the gentleman himself concurred
in the report which said that there was a
suspicion only of these things being
true. He denied that the murders were
political murders. His distinguished and
lamented opponent had been foully and in
famously murdered, but no one had pro-
duced any evidence that it was in any sense
the result of public autipathy, on had come
from m collective or organized EFF,
done ten times as much in money and effort
as it had ever done before to detect and
punish the guilty. The crime was stain
upon the state and an injury to the state,
and as long as 1t was left in oblivion it was
susceptible of being used by INSCRIPTIONS
men for political purposes.
AN INDIGNANT DENIAL.
But the men who charged either on the
floor or in the press that the people of Ar
kansas, or any group of people representing
that state had ever shown sympathy with
this infamous crime or that he (Mr. Breck-
inridge) had any knowledge of it in the re-
motest degree, uttered that which was
cowardly and mean. and which they knew
to be false Democratic applausel
He then turned his attention TO Judge
Mcclure and stated that he had been in
formed that on the return of that subcom-
mittee the republican members had in-
dorsed Judge Mcclure for an appointment
to a high judicial position in Arkansas
He called upon any member of the subcom-
mittee to deny the allegation.
Mr.. Lacey Of Iowa, chairman Of the
subcommittee, said that he had recon-
mended Judge Mcclure, in strong terms,
believing him to be one of the best and
most competent men In Arkansas.
Mr.. Breckenridge said that he had only
alluded TO the matter to show the bias of
the committee. He then proceeded to quote
from a statement made by Mr.. Blackburn,
republican, to show the bad character of
Judge Mcclure. the man whom the repub-
lican members of the committee had
indorsed for advancement.
CLAYTON HIS BOSOM FRIEND.
Speaking Of the murder of Mr. Clayton,
whom he claimed as bosom friend, he said
that it had been stated that after the muir
der he should have resigned his seat. Why
should he have resignedi He knew of no
fraud in the election which invalidated his
election. To have resigned would have
been to say that he believed Mr.. Clayton to
have been murdered to affect the result of
the election. To have resigned would have
been to give force to the charges made
against his people. It was not proper
or manly to do 80. The House of
Representatives was the tribunal to inquire
into the election. Had he withdrawn, he
would have taken the case from the repub-
lican court-the only court which has any
jurisdiction over the question. He then
proceeded to criticise, in severe language,
the action of the subcommittee, asserting
that he had been denied witnesses after he
had been promised that they would be ac-
corded him. No greater debauchery of a
free ballot had ever been committed than
that committed by the committee. No
greater crime against fair play and justice
had ever been committed than had been
committed by the official representatives
of the people clothed in the panoply of the
law. After further severe comment upon
the committee, he said in conclusion: 'Come
| TO your conclusion, and will take an ap-
| peal TO the people. regardless of the party,
in the district 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 conclu-
sion. democratic applause.]
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
Mr.. Dalzell said that noninally this was
| a case between the quick and the dead in
reality 1t was an inquiry by the House as to
| the right OF the occupant of o seat to retain
that seat. II there were to be bayonets at
the polls they should be those of the ma
tional government, and not of a political
club. He read In detail testimony bearing
on the theft of the ballot-box at Plummers-
vile. and said that its theft was absolutely
necessary to Mr.. Breckinridge's return. Yet
| he stood here and asserted that it had been
stolen by republicans, this republican ballot
box. The House stood dumfounded in the
face Of such sublime embodiment of impu-
dence. He rehearsed the story Of the muir
Qer Oh mr. Oldy tOu, eXCldltnlnR, ~, tlo
pity Of IL, my countrymeni For this is not
Italy, but the American republic; this is
not the middle ages, but the nine
teenth century since Christ was born.
But will not: pursue the subject Let us
leave the bleeding corpse as iJ was left on
chat fatal night on the floor IN its blood.
He then commented upon the backwardness
of the state Of Arkansas in endeavoring TO
hunt down the murderers. In relation to
the Hooper theory he invited the citation of
anything in the annals of crime which
would equal 1t for absolute Stiffness.
THE SKY RED WITH BLOOD.
The sky OF the Second district of Arkan-
sas was luminous with blood. From her
desecrated soil the blood of John NJ Clay
ton cried 20 heaven, not for vengeance, but
for justice, and the members on both sides
were here as sacred ministers to execute her
just DEGREES. [Republican applause.]
The debate having been closed, Mr.. Crisp
moved to recommit the case with instruc-
tions to the committee on elections to re-
port which one of the gentlemen received
majority of the votes Of the Second dis
trict of Arkansas.
The motion was lost by a vote of So yeas
to 101 nays.
The vote was then taken on the minority
resolution confirming Mr.. Breckenridge's
right to the seat. It was lost by vote Of
8 yeas to lob nays
a tha MI