Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-30
West Virginia Contested Election
Casss 10 the House.

In the house. DaIzelI of Pennsylvania
called up the election case of Smith W
Jackson from fourth West virginia dis
trict
Grip Of Georgia raised the question of
consideration. On this vote democrats.
With three exceptions BUCKLEY, Covent
and CowleO, refrained from voting
While the clerk was calling the roll the
Speaker was carefully noting the names of
those democrats present and ot voting
Before the announcement of the vote
Rogers Of Arkansas (who Inadvertently
voted in the affirms ive) decided to with
draw his vote. 1t Was met with storm OBJ
jections from the republican side. Roger.
endeavored to secure . ruling from the
Speaker on the question, in order that be
might enter an appeal. The Speaker de-
clned to rule.
Covert of New York changed his vote
from the negative to the affirmative.
Rogers was then given permission to
Withdraw his vote, as was also Cowles OF
North Carolina.
The vote was announced - yeas l6l
nays2.
Grip raised the point of no quorum.
Speaker-The Chair directs the clerk to
record the names of the following member,
present refusing to vote.
This statement was the signal for burs,
Of applause from the Republicans and
jeers from the Democrats. The clerk pro.
csed to read the names of the Democrats
whom the Speaker jotted down a. being
present and not voting. When the name
of Breckenridge of Kentucky was called
he stepped into the aisle and in resound-
ing voice said, Il deny the power of the
Speaker to do this, and denounce it As rev.
olunonary.' Cheer after cheer. character
ized by the Republicans As "rebel yells, V
went up from the Democratic side, and it
was several minutes before sufficient order
was restored to enable the clerx to con-
tnue reading the list Of names. The order
WIS only comparative, and while the clerk
was proceeding with the reading, half a
dozen Democrats were on their feet, de-
nounciug the action Of the Speaker.
Bland of Missouri, rosred out that he
vas responsible for his action only to his
constituents and not to the Speaker.
OFarrell of Virginia, protested in the
name of his State against this action.
McCresry Of Kentucky, denied the righ,
of the Speaker to count him as present.
Speaker-"The chair 10 making state
ment of the fact that the gentleman il
present. Does the gentleman deny he is
PRESENT."
Applause and laughter on the republi
can side
The name of Cultivate Of Ohio, waa
called. and that gentleman, amid . grea,
uprosr. declared that he had not been pres.
ent when his name was called on the roll.
call, and what the Speaker was stating wal
not true.
Breckenridge of Kentucky declared the
action of the Speaker - disorderly. thai
the Speaker had no more right to make q
statement from the chair than he would
have we're he on the hoor.
Crisp desired to appeal from the decision
of the chair.
The Speaker replied that in due time he
would allow the gentleman every proper
appeal made to the House in an orderly
fashion. as the chair would demonstrate to
The satisfaction of the House.
In the meantime, Cooper of In1iana, va,
on his feet, de manding recognition, and
dsnouuciHs the action of the chair.
The Sp, aker finally said: Tho gentle
man must not mistake the situation. He IL
not to compel the chair to DO . certain
thing The chair must proceed in order
and the gentleman, n . member Of ihi
body. will undoubtedly ALLOW the chair I,
proceed
Co~les Of North Carolina demandec
recognition. standing 10 the aisle in fron
Of the Speaker.
The Speaker declined to recognize hin
and said ''will the gentleman have ,h
kindness TO take his seat: II he does o
the Speaker will be greatly obliged.
| (Laughter
Gov les finally went quietly to his s.ai
ard the Speaker proceeded to make state
mens. The clerk. he said, announced o
members voting ISL yeas, > nays. Th
chair thereupon having heard their name
called in their presence had directed
record made Of this fact. Accordingly
that question nov beirg before the Houss
the chair propose1 TO rive . statement q
companied BY the ruling from which q
appeal could be taken il any seutlema
vas dissatis6ed Herewith.
Crisp of Georgia-In advance enter .
appeal (Laushier.)
The Speaker continuing aid that Z,
some considerable time . question ofIkh
nature had been raised in very many %
Ismensary assemhlsses and there had bes
great deal Of doubt, especially in Ii
body. on the subject. Ths chair veil ~
objected . propesisios Of this kind ~
y lsndsips Tucker It vhyiais, - %