The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-05-13

representing as do, in part, the demo.
Justice to my constituents did / not
speak their sentiments with my voice
as we'll as my vote, nor would
ON this matter The election law of 1850
was the political salvation Of the black
counties, and we of this section feel our.
selves under everlasting obligation to those
friends from the south who co-operated
with us TO make this relief possible. We
who have suffered under the grinding
heel Of republicanism and independentism
and the negro domination which always
follows in their train, feel that democrats
ought to stand together as firm as the rocks
of the everlasting hills against any attempt
to impeacb or weaken that law. Like one
man the party must move, its solid pha.
lanx has presented an unbroken front, and
marches Onward to victory to the music of
regularity. We have been rewarded by a
triumph which reaches from Washington
through Tallahassee to every office in the
stale, and we should do we'll to pause be-.
fore we break in these halls the weapon
which has achieved such magnificent re-
suits
Mr.. Shine of Orange-Mr. Chairman,
1 would not speak had 1 not been
member of the minority on the commit
tee which has been so often attacked on
this floor. For three days, or parts of
three days, a member has occupied the
attention Of this house with what feel
the result will show is but windy speech
and vain defamation.
AS originally constituted the commit
tee on Privileges and!Elections was COM
posed of Messrs. Stapler, Wilson, Hutch
inson, Pittman and Vann. Mr.. Vann
asked to be excused, and Mr.. Carleton
was put on in his place, and Messrs.
Mann, Hollinger and myself were added
At the first meeting l asked if the COM
mittee had the original certificates from
Suwannee. and the motion to get them
was defeated by vote of 4 to 1, the
chairman, Mr.. Stapler, not voting. That
committee had the right to force the pro-
duction of those originals by process of
law. and refused to do so.
Mr. Hutchinson of Putnam-Did not
Mr.. Stapler telegraph for those originals?
Mr.. Shine-I dosnot know.
Mr.. Hutchinson-I do.
Mr.. Shine-So you may, but do not.
| acted openly in the committee room and
was not familiar with Mr.. Stapler's private
actions IS you seem to have been. You
seem to know all about it. know moth
ing.
But the question before US, Mr.. Speaker,
is very simple one-Shall the election
law of 1889 be sustained? To seat the
contestants is 10 nullIfy the law. Take
Duval, for instance, with its 1900 negro
majority!! BY the beneicent operation of
that law alone democrat sits in seat
occupied last session by Lewis, negro re.
publican. Yet from that same seat comes
an attack on the law which fills it. Let
us show by our votes that democrats are
not charitable enough to commit suicide
for the benefit of republicans and indie
pendents!
Mr.. Shine sat down amid applause and
from all sides arose the cry of Question
question p
Mr.. Speaker-The question before the
house is on the motion of Mr.. Dougherty
OF VOlusia that the recommendations of the
minority of the committee on privileges
and elections, which retains the seats for
Suwannee to the contestees, be received,
instead of the report of the majority which
seats the contestants. Are you ready for
the question? ("Question, question") Those
in favor of receiving the minority report
will vote yea; those opposing it will vote
nay. Call the role, Mr. Clerk.