The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-10-03
RIDING DOWN THE RIGHT.
VENABlE AND ELLIOTT UNSEATED
WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON.

The Republicans Secure Quorum, and
| without Moro Ado, Seat the Negro Con
testants from Virginia and soutI
Carolina.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-Six minute.
after the Republicans in the House
voted to seat Langston they turned out
Col. VIM. Elliott and gave his place to
Tom Miller. The haste in disposing OF
the South Carolina contest was as bru
tai as 1T was unprecedented. 1t was
after l o'clock to-day before enough Re.
publicans put in an appearance to make
up quorum.
The Democrats remained out of the
hall and consequently there was no one
to demand roll-call but Mr. O'Ferrall
and his request had no avail with 1866
hot-headed partisans. AS soon us the
presence of a quorum was announced
Langston was voted in by viva voce
vote. The greatest confusion prevailed
in the meantime, as the galleries were
crowded with negroes enthusiastic for
Langston. The Republican members
were equally wild and uncomfortable,
and the yelling and stamping of feet
was terrific when Speaker Reed declar-
ed Langston entitled to a seat as Re-
preventative from the 4th Virginia
district.
Amid shouts and applause Langston
was sworn i'll. the Republicans then
shouted wildly to the committee on
'"4tIons to call up the next case. which
was V.I. Miller Elliott contest. There
was no debate and the reading of the
committee resolutions was even omit
ted, so desperate was the majority and
so eager were they for Democratic
scalps.
Mr.. O'Ferrall and several Republi-
cans protested against such summary
proceedings, bat Speaker Keed needed
them not, and without permitting di.
vision declared Tom Miller Il Repre-.
sentative of the 7th Congressional dis
trlct of South Carolina, vice Elliott.
The following is the details of the
proceeding by which Congressman
Venable and Elliott were robbed of
their seats: :----..-.. -------
Mr.. O'Ferrall was the only Democrat
in the chamber this morning during
the delivery of the prayer. The clerk
Immediately began the call Of the roll
on the approval o. Fridays Journal
The clerk having called the roll. an
nounced the pairs and recapitulated the
list of those voting.
The Speaker heSitated before he an
nounced iaon nee the result. there being but two
Mr.. O'Ferrall demanded that the re-
suit be announced.
In order to delay the announcement.
Republican after Republican rose and
requested to know how he was record
ed.
Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio, inquired how
the gentleman from Virginia (O'Fer-
ralD had voted.
Mr. O'Ferrall replied that he had
never voted to perpetrate larceny, and
he did not propose to do so in this case.
Mr.. Allen, Of Michigan "The gentle
men has evidently stolen the whole of
the other side"
j. ID. Taylor "May | ask the gentle
man Il question:"
Mr.. O'Ferrall THAT is a dilatory
question" Laughter
Mr.. Taylor inquired whether the
gentleman from Virginia (O'FerlalD
when he was seated by the Democratic
House, considered it larceny.
Mr.. O'Ferrall retOrted that keeping
him out of his seat had been larceny.
and that the Democratic Congress had
vindicated him.
Mr.. Taylor "The only evidence that
you had the right to the seat was that
you were seated by majority vote"
Mr.. O'Ferrall: at would he well To
remember the course of the Represen-
tatives of the last Congress when for
days and weeks they refrained from
voting in the contested case of Sullivan
VS.. FELTON,"
Mr. Allen, of Michigan "Why did
you not count uSY'
The vote was then announced to be
yeas 1o3, nays mo quorum, and cal
of the House was ordered.
Just as the clerk begaI to call the
roll, Mr.. Sweeny, of Iowa, one of the
absentees, entered and was received b,
his colleagues with applause. Shortly
afterwards. Mr.. MudG, of Maryland
made his appearance and received a re-
ceptlon of mingled applause and hisSrs
During the roll-call the camera was
again brought into requisitlon and
photographers again reproduced the ar
ray of empty Democratic seats.
One hundred and Sixty-four mcmbrls
responded to the call and without any
announcement Of the result, further
proceedings were dispensed with. and
the vote again recurred on approving
Fridays journal.
While this roll-call was in progress
applause and hiSSes were given wher
Mr.. Milliken entered the hall For {;
Zine Mr.. Chcadle. of Indiana. who j.
opposed to Langston's claims, joined
the ahsentees. lie located himself or
lounge in the lobby, declining t.
enter the chamber. But the requests
and SupplicationS of his party aSSo
ciateS proved too strong, and upon this
vote he recorded his name in the affirm
ative. The vote resulted yeas 100
nays nothing-thc clerk noting ;
quorum.
notwithstanding the protests of Mr.
OFerrall, the Speaker directed the read
ing of saturdays Journal
Mr.. OFcrrall demanded division or
its approval, and while the Republi
cans were being &C 'nted he retired tC
the cloak room amid victorious shouts
from the Republicans and expression.
of regret at his desertion
AS soon as Mr.. O'Fprrall WAS ont o
the hall, Mr.. llaugen asked unanimOu:
consent to dispense with division
and there being no Democrat present