Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-08-09

Richardson Is Seated as Congress-
mon From This District
ON A STRICT PARTY VOTE
Beiknap's Case strongly Presented by
Barro~s. bat Democrat Votes Out
weigh His Earnest Eioqaence

WksHfSeToS. Aug. 6--Ihe Belknsp-
kiehaftlsoa case vas taken mp Ia the
house after the presidents message had
been read Mr.. o'Fsrrell for Mr.. Rich
ardson explained that the dehate on the
election was to be confined 10 two hours.
one hour Of which was to be placed at
his disposal. aud the other a. that Of
Mr. Burrows and Mr.. Richardson's Gre
dentisls were then read.
DIR. burrows took the floor first in Mr..
Belknaps behalf lie gave history Of
the case. and quoted from the Michigan
supreme court decision 10 the effect that
there xas no icgpl authority for the re-
count which was made by the lonia
board OF canvasscrs and which resulted
20 MIR. Richardson's advantage. This
reeoupt being illegal. a mandamus had
been Issued compelling the ionia board
TO canvass the returns in accordance
with the1 original returns. and these
showed small plurality for Belknap.
A Florida case was cited as a prece-
dent. wherein the clerk had stricken a
supposed members name from the roll
and substituted that OF another candi-
date who. according TO the supreme
coprt Of that state. had been legally
elected
Weadock's ConvaIcscence.
Mr.. weadock contended that II the
fonia board had done an illegal thing on
Richardson's application. the Kent
county board was similarly at fault in
having made recount on Belknaps ap-
plication. The supreme court decision
-. ~. : - al -
ity under the Michigan law for correct
ing frauds in congressional elections.
the house itself being the only tribunal
with such authority.
Congressman Springer succeeded
Xeadock. making strong plea for
Richardson. He said that Richardson
had come with certificate exactly the
same as that which Mr.. Burrows him
officials After the state board Of can
vassers had adjourned without a date
and had gone out OF Office by reason OF
charge OF administration. their sue
cessors. who had no jurisdiction in the
premises, had been reconvened and had
granted q spurious certificate to Bel
knap.
Stress was laid on the point that
hALAAdAdrOl = ttttntlutt hoa ttt1At biCtk
with the clerk before the judicial pro-
ceedings in Michigan were begun, the
contention at this time being that he
had prima facia right to the seat
Richar<isoE Is Seated
Oats democrat. Alabama) took a
middle course He admitted that the
case was difficult one to decide. Two
members came from tho same district,
each properly testified. The matter
should not be disposed OF in haste.
Members OF the house could afford to do
right, and in order that they might have
an opportunity to do 81. he suggested
that the whole question be referred 10
the committee on elections when ap-
pointed.
In the line OF this suggestion Dingiey
Republican, Missouril moved that the
matter be referred 10 a special commit
tee OF five members. 10 be appointed by
the speaker. with instructions 10 report
within ten days.
Dingley's motion was lost-yeas. 1os;
nays. l9i. The following democrats
voted with the republicans in the affirm
atiye: Bower, North Carolina;
Cobb. Alabama; Cummins, New
York; Hall, Minnesota; Harris.
Harter. Hayes. Martin. Indiana:
Oats aud Tracy. The populists voted
with the democrats Then came the
vote on the republican resolution. de
cIaring Belknap entitled TO his seat on a
prima facie case. and it was defeated,
yeas. ia; nays. i9s. O'Ferrall's resolu.
tion for the immediate swearing in OF
Richardson was agreed to without diyis-
ion. and Richardson came forward and
qualified.