Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-18
THE 54TI CONGRESS.
Presidents VENEZUELAN Message Read
and Applauded in Both HOuSlS.
THREE ELECTION COMMITTEES.
This Proposition Of the Republicans
Put ThrOugh-Cris In Opposition.
Radical Opponents.


appointment of a select committee TO in
vestigate the subject Of organized efforts
OF corporations to control the election OF
members of Congress and to influence
legislation.
Mr. Hansbrough Republican, Of North
Dakota. introduced a bill 10 prevent the
desecration of the national flag. which
was referred 10 the judiciary Committee.
At 1910. on motion Of MIR. Morgan. the
Senate proceeded TO executive business.
At T.. NJ. the doors were re-svened.
and the Nice-Prcsideut laid before the
Senate the Presidents message accom-
panyng the correspondence on the Ncne-
zuelan question, and the Secretary OF the
Senate proceeded TO read IT, The reading
was listened 20 with interest and atten-
tion by every senator. There were but
few spectators in the galleries ana when
the reading OF the message was finished.
these spectators joined the senator's in
demonstrations Of applause The ev-
dences Of approval were strong on both
sides of the chamber perhaps even more
SO on the Republican than on the Demo
cratic side.
Mr.. Morgan. looking over TO the Re
publican side. remarked that there was
no mistakng the meaning of that" and
Mr. Frye gave an asserting nod. with
the remark. That is capital"
Mr.. Sherman moved that the message
and documents be printed. and that order
was made.
Mr.. Lodge suggested that the CORES
pondence should also be read, but yielded
his own wish on the subject when the
remark was made that the correspond
cnce was too long TO be read now.
Mr.. Morgan. chairman Of the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations then moved
that the message and accompanying pa
pers be referred 60 the Committee on For
egn Relations. tnd the motion was
agreed 10.
on the further motion Of NJ. Morgan
the Committee Oh Foreign Relations was
authorized 10 sit during any recess Of the
Senate.
SENATORS EXCITED.
Then. at l.29 =. NJ as ordinary legis-
lative business was unsuited 10 the eN-
cited mental condition Of the senator's
the Senate on motion Of Mr.. Sherman,
adjourned until tomorrow
The motion Of Senator Morgan 10 go
into executive session. made az IL was
within a few moments after the receipt
Of the Venezuelan message. led 10 the
unfounded BELIEF that part Of that mes
sage was intended for the ears % The
treaty-making power of the Congress
alone.
Tire object of the session. however. was
% enable the senate 10 extend for
period Of one year the tresty between
this country and Mexico. under whlch
the boundary question il being settled
\ large number OF recess nominations
We're slso f4yorabiy reported.
The Senate viii nolt on executive ses-
sion tomorrow. so that the men now
holding recess appointments may secure
their commissions.
House of Representative.
The proceedings Of the House to-day
were enliyened by PARTISAN debate
growing out Of Mr. CannOn's amendment
% the rules providing for me appointment
OF three committees on elections. In sup
port of the amendment 1lr. Cannon spoke
~ the great preponderance OF contests
from the south. and quoted allegations
that Notwithstanding the repeal of the
Federal election laws fraud siin existed
in the elections in thar part II the coun-
try.
Mr. crisp Jed tho opposition 10 the
amendment declaring that the eject oi
IFS adoption would be- % WORK injustice
10 the Democratic contestees. that there
ncan PARTY 10 warrant the assumption
that election contests would ft decllrl
bv this House upon oIler than partisan
grounds. PROPOSITIONS to amend the
amendment We're made but were all re-
iocted. ana after four hours debate the
proposition was agreed 20.
Mr.. Cannon introduced The resolution
discussed Yesterday in The Speaker
room amending the rules 50 as 10 provide
Of
On elections. Of nine members each, 10 De
known as 1. 3 and O. respectively. ana IN
creasing the membership oi other commit
tees Certain changes in The rules maze
necessary by the increase ln committees
and their membership since the flity-iisl
Congress were also proposed.
All the amendments were agreed. 10 10y
unanimous consent except tho.e feitHAs
10 committees on elections.
Air. Cannon explained the necessity Tor
the resolution All of the contesiees were
democrats. twenty-five Of tho contestants
were Republicans eight were PoplA-is,
and one au Independent Democrat. ana
one a fusiOnlsi
Tnis latter classification caused an
al dible smile all over the floor
CRISP N OPPOSITION.
.fr. Crisp led the opposition 10 The FRO
rosftion 10 increase tn number of COM
n1.t.-ss on elections. What was there, ne
asked. in the history ~ the Res uolican
Marty 10 Justify the assertion that elec-
tion contests would be decided uIcn their
merits? He referred 90 the action of
the House in the Fifty-first Congress in
election cases. ana had the Clerk 90 read
from the Record the proceedings in the
Ainer-Eliott case from South Carolina.
u,f era the contestant was seated without
r.ar q ~
the Committee on Elections. and when
r.. had been sworn in. these judicially-
minded gentlemen" said Mr Crisp. de-
utanded that the next case" be called.
And" he continued. III the cases had
been on the calendar. 50 that they might
be considered. ] have no doubt that the
judicial majority would have voted 20
uuseat every man on this side Of the
House"
An interruption by Mr. Walker ied TO
colloquy between him and Mr. Crisp IN
which the history Of counting quorum
I'm the Fiffy-arst Congress was brought
under discussion.
Mr. crisp was made the target for
voMey Of questions by several Republican
members. respecting the action Of the
Democrats In the Fifty-nrst Congress.
Mr. Boutelie asked II he thought the
Democrats did right In retiring from the
House bodily In order 20 obsiruct the
consideration Of public business
Air. Crisp: / believe they were justihed
I'm proceeding In any lawful way 10 pre-
vent the contamination OF the outrage
proposed by the Republicans. The people
Of the country evidently took the same
view. for they reversed the majority In
the next House. giving the Democrats $50
majority" (ApplauseD
Further along. the results Of the elec-
ton Of 1894 were the subject of repartee
between the two gentlemen.
BOUTELLE AND HAWAII
Air. crisp said he had read somewhere
~ lho rentIeman from Maine nIout.llel