The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-04
SMITH IN A STOLEN SEAT.
THE FIRST ELECTION CONTEST IN
THE HOUSE AT AN END.

The Republicans Secure the Presence
of Quorum of Their Own Party for
Voted-Reed as Autocratic as Ever.
WASHINGTON, Feb. SIN the House this
morning, the Journal having been read IN
extenso at the demands OF the democrats,
Mr.. O'Ferrall of Virginia and Mr. McKin-
ley of Ohio were upon their feet, the former
with motion to correct the journal and
the latter with a motion to approve that
document. The speaker recognized Mr..
Mckinley, but subsequently,, on Mr.. O'Fer-
rails statement that he was acting in good
faith, recognized that member, VINO stated
that the journal contained no reference to
the fact that the speaker, on Saturday last,
would not allow him to read the evidence
in the election case as part of his remarks.
The speaker said that that was exactly in
the form of the ruling, but that the journal
would be amended to show the fact.
MIR. Mckinley then demanded the previ-
GUS question on his motion to approve the
journal.
The vote resulted: Yeas 164, nays 0, and
the speaker, following his precedent of
ordering, entered upon the journal the
names of dozen democrats present and not
voting, declared the previous question Or
dered.
THE MOTION DECLARED CARRIED.
On the motion to approve the journal the
same practice prevailed, the democrats re-
framing from voting, and the speaker
declaring quorum present, and the mo-
ton carried by vote of l5S yeas to no nays.
Although Mr.. O'Ferrall did not rise to
claim the floor the speaker declared that
that member was recognized to proceed to
discussion of the election case.
MIR. Crisp said that if the speaker himself
declared that the election case was taken
up, he would raise the question of consider
alton.
The speaker said that there had been an
understanding Saturday night that the
gentleman from Virginia had the floor.
Mr.. Crisp disputed this sta tement, SAYING
that while there was an understanding as
TO what the length of the debate should be,
there was no understanding as to when it
should be considered.
Mr.. Bynum moved TO adjourn. The mo-
tion to adjourn was lost by vote Of 100
yeas to 157 nays, and the speaker declared
the question to be on the contested election
cases. The usual formalities were INDUCED
in, as follows:
Mr.. Crisp-I raise the question Of consid-
GRAFTON.
The Speaker-The chair declines to enter
tain the question.
Mr.. Crisp-1hen I appeal.
The Speaker-And tue chair declines to
entertain the appeal.
These formalties having been disposed of,
Mr.. O'Ferrall was recognized to continue
his argument In support of the claims of the
contestee in the Smith-Jackson election
case.
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE.
After arguing the case, Mr. O'Ferrall
made an allusion to the state Of affairs
with which the House found itself con-
fronted. He did not believe, he said. that
the time had yet come, and God grant that
it might never come, when the American
people would tolerate autocratio power,
whether welded by the President of the
United States at the other end of the
avenue, or by the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States
at this end of the avenue.
4 Let it go out, he said, land let
all give ear to the declaration that neces-
sity, the tyrant's plea, was offered as the only
excuse for this unseemly, Unprecedented and
unconstitutional proceeding of him who for
brief season would preside over the de-
llberations of this body. He said brief
season. for as sure as the sense Of Judgment
still dwelt in the breast of the American
people. as sure as the citizens of this land
were still! Jealous of their rights and looked
with alarm on the slightest encroachment
upon them, just so sure would the demo-
Gratis return to power in the Fifty-sec1nd
congress, and there would be no usurper,
auJocrat or dictator occupying the speakers
chair" [Applause on the democratic side. ]
CAMP MEETING HARANGUE.
Mr.. Greenhalge of Massachusetts, said
a.
from Virginia it might be well TO consider
the question before the House, involving the
right of a member to his seat. He then pro-
ceeded to present the claims of the con-
testant, and in conclusion said that if the
voice of the people was the voice of God,
then the voice of God gave to the contestant
from the Fourth district of West Virginia
his rightful place in this House. Applause
on the republican side
After speeches by Messrs. Cultivate Of
Ohio, Lacey Of Iowa, and Moore of Texas,
Mr.. Wilson of West Virginia, while not
addressing himself especially to considera-
tion Of the election case, made an entirely
good-humored speech in criticism of the
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.
The question then REQUIRED on ordering
the previous questionable adoption of the
report Of the committee on eiections-and it
was ordered by a vote of 166 yeas to nay.
This is the first time since the meeting of
congress that the republicans have had a
quorum voting, and the result was received
with applause. The only absentees on the
republican side were Messrs. Caswell and
WILDER, both of whom are sick.
Four roll calls were required before the
vote came finally on seating Mr.. Smith,
the contestant; but at the end he was
declared entitled to the seat by vote of
166 yeas to nays, amid republican ap-
plause.
Mr.. Smith appeared and took the oath of
Office whereupon Mr.. Springer sarcasti-
cally inquired whether this was the proper
time to make motion to adjourn.
With a similar lntonatlon of sarcasm, the
speaker replied in the affirmative, and the
House accordingly adjourned.
A LOST SCHOONER.