New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-20
FOR AND AGAINST ROCKWELL
BEGINNING THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE.
MUCH INTEREST IN TIE CoNTEsT-REPUBLIcANs
SHOULD WATCH THE PAIRING.

urally large ATTENDANCE In the visitors galleries.
Probably ten times many persons listened to the
legal arguments submitted by Mr.. Lawson of Georgia
Mr. Johnson of Indiana. and Mr.. Bacon of NewYorll
as were present during any day of the debate on
the Wool bill Messrs Noyes and Rockwell both
in the House. The latter, who appeared to be nervous
and uneasy, spent good deal Of his time In one
Of the coat rooms in consultation with his friends
and in comforting with the Democratic officers of the
House, of whose duties II Is to see that all alb
sent Democrats are paired with Republicans.
This business Of pairing is one which Republicans
cannot watch too keenly carefully In this II they
arc unwilling to be Overreached. 1t was discovered
oday that several Republicans were paired with
Democrats who In favor Of Colonel Noycs Such
pairs Of course worse than Mr.. Quacken
bush, of York, who returned to-day after
brief absence, surprised to find himself paired
with Mr.. Lockwood, member OF the Elections Com
mltec, who is in favor OF Colonel Noyes; this pair
had been arranged without the knowledge consent
Of Mr.. Quackenbush. Before Mr. Lockwood left
here he announced his intention to return and speak
In support Of the report Of the Elections Committee
1t Is understood that dispatch was received from him
to-day saying that he would be unable to be present
when the is taken. This seems to indicate that
Mr.. Lockwood has taken careful and elaborate precau
to dodge the question and 1t is surprise as well
as a disappointment to his friends who have had
high opinion of his and did not believe that
he would pocket his conscience and judgment at the
demand Of Hill.
senator Hill did not appear I'm the. House to-day, but
he in almost constant communication with his
tools and supporters in that body, and they were,
II possible. buster than ever. They also appeared
to be more confident than ever Of IIlll victory
for will the result be regarded by them In case
the report of the Elections Committee shall be re-
jected. BY Hill victory" is meant victory over
the Cleveland and anti-liill element in the House OF
Representatives. The vote, therefore, Will be In
large test of the RELATIVES strength OF
Hlllism and anti -Hsm in that body. 1t is true that
Rockwell and his supporters have fled from the position
which they at first occupied, and have admitted
that the acts and processes by which Rockwell Oh
tanned possession of the certificate of election which
belonged b. Colonel Noyes irregular and I'M
lawful. II Is tue that their whole contention now
In Rockwells behalf rests upon the Aimsy foundation
offered by the sixteen Doyle ballots. socalled: and
set if he wins it will be regarded as formal ap-
prevail by the Democratic House of Representatives of
HIPS methods of seat-stcalng-and SO it will be
If these methods had not been successfully applied
Colonel NOyes would occupy the scat which
Rockwell has usurped. and Rockwell would be knock
ing at the door Of Congress asking the House to admit
him the strength of his claim that the Doyle bal
lots cast for Colonel Moves Illegal In that case
of course he would be confronted by the fact that
twenty eight marked ballots cast and counted for
himself in a single election district in Chcmung
County. Even the matter now stands these twenty
eight market ballots giving Rockwell O good deal
Of trouble for many members OF the House who de-
sire to be fair say that II the sixteen marked ballots
cast and counted for Moves are TO be thrown ont
then the weDtyeght marked ballots cast and counted
for Rockwell must also be rejected.
BourHe Cochran has not yet decided whsthsr or not
he Will make argument In behalf Of Rockwell but
there is longer any doubt that he will so vote.
He said this afternoon that canvass far MS he
knew had been made TO ascertain how many Demo
Gratis will for Rockwell but the latter Is under
% hor olo hat loa -o,1dd n
A Democratic officer Of the House efo is taking an
active part In behalf of Hills chum informed q
Tribune correspondent late this afternoon that Rock
we'll will have a majority Of about twenty Ave
Members Of the majority Of the Elections Committee
still confident that the repor: will be sustained,
but they unmindful Of the fact that full IS
strainlng every nerve and exertlng every influence
which no can bring to bear and that means. how
ever unscupulous viii be neglected to effect different
result.
The speeches to-day in support Of the resolution Of
the committee were by Mr.. Lawson, Of Georgia, and
Mr. Johnson. Of Indiana Both Of them were able
and exhaustive. and If the arguments had been ad
dressed to an impartial and unpreudiced jury the yer
diet would not be in doubt. Mr.. Bacon, Of York.
who Is not q member Of the committee which investi
gated the case, opened the debate in behalf of Rock
well with an argument which weak as the cause
which he advocated is destitute Of merit.
When Mr.. OFerrall. Of Virginia. called up the
case, he notice that at the end Of ten hours de-
bate he would demand the previous question.
Mr.. Lawson, Of Georgia, opened the argument for
the contestant who occupied a seat far back on the
Republican side Of the House. The cOntestea, Mr.
Rockwell, occupied his seat on the Democratic side
but remained for only brief time and then retired
10 the lobby Mr.. Lawsons argument was purely
legal He reviewed the testimony in detail, in
order to make the point contended for by the majority
that there was a clear majority Of six for Noycs
Mr.. Wheeler, Of Alabama. interrupted him at one
time TO call attention to the fact that there were only
FIVE Republicans listening 10 the speech. lie pre-
sumed that the Republicans did not intend to vote
upon the question,
Mr.. Raines, Of NewYOrk Zone Of the fve) suggested
that that might prove to be violent presumption.
Mr.. Lawson then proceeded 10 discuss what is known
as the Doyle ballots Mr. Lawson said that there was
evidence in the record 10 show that any Of the
Doyle votes purchased except in the case OF one
voter and the evidence in that was inferen-
tal.
Mr.. Fellows, Of New York. inquired whether 1t was
conceded by the majority that If those sixteen votes
were rejected Us ieedtmately cast ballots Rockwell
entitled to the seat.
Mr.. Lawson replied in the affirmative. There were
only six votes difference.
Mr.. O'Ferrsll-Oh, no. have no doubt my colleague
and myself agree but If these sixteen ballots are TO be
excluded then there are twenty eight ballots that arc
MAJ ked for Rockwell that will under the same
rule.
Mr.. Lawson frequently interrupted, and when
Mr.. Cochran, OF York. rose TO ask question, Mr.
oFerrall Of Virginia protested that the frequent In
erruptIons were intended to break the continuity oil
his colleagues argument. Mr. Cochran warmly pro
tested against any interruption from The gentleman from
Virginia. Finally peace restored. In conclusion
Mr. Lawson expressed his belief that the principles OF
the Democratic party right; that the principles
OF the Republican party wrong. There were, OF
course some bad Dcmocras-bnt very few there were
some good Republcans-but not many. When az good
han crut he a
Representative from his seat he cast his vote from
s-rse Of duty OF the highest character Wherever tho
path al duty pointed, man should fear 10 go.
Mr. Johnson, Of indiana. took the floor and was
ib0H have been recognized. and that Rockwell. rs
a matter OF substance and Of fact. should be here
the contestant Instead OF the sitting member whcn
- Il kcu. Nnrlk Int NH