New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-09
PARTISAN OUTRAGE At THE SIAki.
THE CONTEST IN THE VIII MICHIGAN hNl"
SETTLED oFF-H,ND WITHOUT IL
VFSTTG ALTON
VFSTTGATIOS


Washington Aug. : (Spccian.-The Dcmo'r""' "''
icry I'm the House Of Representatives TO-DAY "'"''
reversed the decision OF the last Democratic 'i'"''
and violated a number Of other Democratic pr"cc''l.'
as well rs every principle Of Justice and right '"'
case was one which involved the prima ia'h' ''-"
of the Representative from the VIII Micfis'h '''''
70 his seat. Briefly stated. the facts are ~ l'''o"
Charles F.. Bclknap. Republican. and 'rore' =
Richardson. Democrat. wcr" opposing 'ahu'u'' '''
Congress In Is92 According 10 the origGal r''.'''
- the election Hellnap received plurality oil nine
teen votes but before the returns OF on" OF the 'o'
ties had been transmitted by the roard Of County
canvassers TO the Board Of state CanvassrrS MS
democratic opponent demanded recount. the result
OF which gave him plurality OF Ten votes !" ''c
district Mr.. Eclknap thcrcupon took tile case ~ ''
Supreme Court Of Michigan. which, In two d''>'""N'
both prepared by Judge McGrsIth. Democratic mem
her Of the Court upheld his title. BY virtue OF '"'
decisions certificate of election was issued !" III"
I'm regular form by the duly appointed ana "h'"'r-
Ted officers Of the state February a. io''''
While the case was pending I'm the Snprem" COURT
however n certificate based the recount winch
was aftcrward declared 10 be Illegal was lSSn'u -
Richardson. who sent It TO Washington by Specia
messenger and filed II with the Democratic CLERK OF
the House Of Representatives.
This certificate was annuled by the decision o
the Supreme Court OF Michigan and superseded by In"
oAc issued to Belknap. Clerk Kerr, however re
fused to recognize the latter certificate on the sFouu
that he had already placed Richardson's name OIL
the roll. In doing this he took a course preclScH
contrary TO that adopted by Clerk Adams IA Kentucky
Democracy In the XLVth Congress, who, upon Il
similar statement OF facts. removed from his roll
the name Of Purman Republican, who had re-
ceived certificate OF election from Florida District
and substituted the name OF Davidson. Democrat
His action was sustained by n Democratic House
Democratic House Of Representatives today. by
majority OF about eighty. sustained Clerk Kerr III
refusing to do the thing. 1t even rejected 10y
q vote Of 1913 yeas to 1914 nays. Mr. Dineeys motion
% refer the case TO n special committee OF I'VE mem
bcrs with instructions to investigate and report w'hh
ten days. only ten Democrats-Messrs. Bower
Clarke Cummings. Hail. Harris. IIarter. Hayes, Mar
Tin Oates and Tracey-voted in the affirmative. OF
course Mr. Richardson then seated.
Before the Votes were taken there was brisk
debate which lasted two hours. Strong arguments
were made bv Messrs Burrows and Dalzell In favor
OF Captain Belknaps prima faci" right 10 the sat
and an eloquent speech against the seating ol KicN
ard son until after Investigation hv Il Commute"
OF the IIonSc made by Colonel Oates, OF Alabama
ON the other side speeches were made by M"sSr>
Weadock. Brown. O'Ferral. and. Of course. hy
Springer. The refusal even 10 refer the case Tor
an investigation by Democratic committee was an
outrage. and showed that RithardSons friends were
afraid TO submit it 10 such committee