The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-24
REED ON THE DOCKET.
Representative wike Offers condsm

Representative Wike Offers Condem-
natory Resolutions.
WAsHISGToN. Feb 23-In the House TO-
day Representative Scott Wike Of Illinois
offered for reference TO the committee on
Judiciary the following preamble and reso-
luton:
WHEREAS. Frequent falsihcations Of the
journal OF the proceedings Of the House OF
Representatives OF the Fifty-firs congress. by
arbitrary action OF the speaker. and notably by
MS understandable action on Feb 20, in the
matter OF the count Of Messrs. Turner of Geor-
ga Clements Crisp, Blanchard, and Wilson
OF Missouri w hitelaw. Fithian, Geary Oates
and other members OF the House, as present
and not voting, for the purpose Of making the
record snow an apparent quorum TO do bust
ness, when, In fact, there was not a quorum, as
Geqaired by the constitution OF tee United
states ana when, In fact, such members were
not present nor within the hall Of the House at
the time; and,
WHEREAS, In that connection the arbitrary
ana Iyrranlcal action of the presiding officer OF
the House and his political associates on the
moor, on the 2lst day Of the same month, in re-
fusing TO allow OF entertain motion for the
IN the journal Of the proceedings Of the previous
oay, so as TO make il conform 10 the facts in the
premises as they are clearly established and
made TO appear; and,
unconstitutional acts were done in pursuance of
a plan concocted by the leaders of the party
Just overthrown by an overwhelming majority
OF the people at the polls and 10 the closing
hours of the power. 70 install for life into new
federal judicial offices then and there being
created for that purpose, a number of
repudiated and defeated candidates of the party
at that election. in defiance of and against the
VIII OF a large majority of the voters of the
country-north and south, as well as east and
west-all OF these unlawful and unworthy Off
clai acts making it apparent and patent that
the iniurythreatened to the liberties of the
people and to constitutional free government,
oy the arbitrary and unlawful action of
the chair. may become caamitous and
irreparable, and inasmuch as there seems TO be
no compulsory restraining power in existence
except through the action OF the majority in the
respective bodies. watch is usually in political
sympathy with its presiding officer; therefore,
be it
Resolved That the committee on the judi
clary. be, and it is hereby instructed to report
the action OF congress submitting for ratihca'
ton an amendment to the constitution provid-
ing plan for impeachment and removal
from office with suitable penalties,
informant on in the courts of the District of
Columbia, or the supreme court of the United
States, OF the speaker or presiding officer of the
House of Representatives or the president or
presiding officer of the Senate who
shall wilfully falsify or falsely make up,
AFTER or change, or cause, or permit the
same to be done by the clerk Of the body over
which the party offending may preside, or by
any other person, the journal OF its proceed
ings, either by counting and entering therein
as present. or causing the same to be done, the
name or names Of any member or members
who snail not in fact be present at the
time, for the purpose OF making quorum or
otherwise, or by any other means or for any
other purpose whatsoever. Said amendment
to the constitution shall provide that such
onense shall be a high crime or misdemeaRor,
with such penalties by fine and imprisonment,
removal from office and disqualification from
holding office, as said committee shall deem
commensurate with the character of the Of
Tense or crime Indicated