The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-18
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
CANNON pr DISCUSSION
on SOTJUEKN ELECTIONS
BY Charging That Frauds Are stlil Prsc-
ticed-Mr. Crisp Calls Him Downon
the History of Republicanism.

ing for the appointment OF three commit
tees on elections. In support OF the
amendment Mr.. Cannon spoke of the
great prcponderance OF contests from the
South. and quoted allegations that not
with;sanding the repeal of the Federal
election laws. fraud still existed In the
elections In that part OF the country.
Mr.. Crisp led the opposition to the
amendment. declaring that the effect OF
| it's adoption would be TO work injustice
| to the Democratic contestees. that there
was nothing i'm the history of the Repub-
lican party to warrant the assumption
that election contests would be decided by
| this mouse upon other than partisan
! grounds. Propositions to amend the
amendment were made. but were all re-
! jccted. and after four hours debate the
proposition was agreed TO.
ELECTIONS COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Cannon introduced the resolution
| discussed yesterday in the Speakers room
amending the rules so as TO provide for
the appointment Of three committees on
elections OF nine members each, TO be
known as one. two. and three respec-
lively and increasing the membership OF
other committees.
Certain changes in the rules made ne
cessary by the increase in incomes and
memberships since the Fifty-iirst Con-
gress were also proposed. All the amend
ments were agreed TO by unanimous con-
sent except those relating TO committees
an elections
Mr. Cannon explained the necessity for
the resolution. All Of the contestees were
Democrats: twenty-five OF the contest
ants were Republicans. eight were Popu-
lists. and one an independent Democrat
and one a Fusionist.
This latter classification aroused an au-
dible smile all over the floor.
Mr.. Crisp led the opposition TO the pro-
position 10 increase the number OF com
mittees on elections What was there. he
asked. in the history of the Republican
party to Justify the assertion that cleo
ton contests would be decided upon their
merits lie referred 10 the action OF the
House I'm the Fifty-hrst Congress in cleo
ton cases and had the clerk read from
the record the proceedings in the Miller
Elliott case from South Carolina whcre
the contestant was seated without debate
or the reading Of the report Of the Com
mittee on Elections. and when ne nan
been sworn in these judicially-minded
gentlemen" said Mr. Crisp demanded
that the next case be called.
JUDICIAL MAJORITIES.
Rama" he continued. III the case had
been on the calendar so that they might
be considered. I have no doubt that the
judicial majority would have voted TO
unseat every man on this side OF the
House"
An interruption by Mr. Walker led TO
colloquy between him and Mr.. Crisp IN
which the history OF counting quo
rum" i'm the Firty-frst Congress was
brought under discussion.
Mr.. Crisp was made the target for
vollov OF questions by several Republican
members. respecting the action OF the
Democrats in the Ffty-first Congress
Mr. Boutelle asked II he thought me
Democrats did right I'm retiring from me
House bodily in order TO obsiruct the con-
sideration Of public business
Mr. Crisp-'I believe they were Just-
fed I'm proceeding in any lawful way 10
prevent the contamination OF the OUT
rage proposed by the Republicans. Inc
poople Of the country evidently took ina
same view. for they reversed the majority
i'm the next House. giving the Democrats
80 majority" applause
Further along. the results OF the cleo
ton of 1894 were the subject Of repartee
between the two gentlemen.
Mr.. Crisp said he had read somewhere
that the gentleman from Maine tBoutelle)
considered the result a. ~ f'''.'N'
OF his course in regard 10 Hawaii
BOUTELLE AND HAWAII.
Mr. Routelle-"The gentleman from
Georgia certainly cannot claim mat II
was a vindication OF his course on the
Hawaiian metter.'
Mr. Boutelle then caused general laugh
ter by assuming "A serious air, and say
ing:
"gv the way. before thu gentleman
from Georgia proceeds would he kindly
WELD 10 me for few minutes for some
reflections i'm regard TO Hawahy
The ex-Speaker did not comply with
the request, but said there was mes
sage from the President regarding the
Venezuela frontier question on the Speak
ers desk. and yet this Republican House
because Of a partisan debate projected
bv the gentleman from Illinois Cannon
could not take time 10 have 1t read.
Mr.. Huiick asked. was not the delay
really due 20 the absence of the President
duck-shooting
without answering the question, Mr..
Crisp said the message should be read,
adding.
1T is a frank. manly defence OF the
Monroe doctrine" Applause
Mr.. Dalzen replied 20 Mr.. Crisp, and
the debate was continued by Mr.. Bart
lett and Mr.. Johnson.
Mr.. Bailey (Dem. Tex asked Mr..
Cannon If he would consent 10 modity
his resolution so as to provide that the
members Of the proposed Elections Com
mittees should take a special OATH
PHILOSOPHY or LYING.
Mr.. Cannon responded tina; long OBJ
scrvation as lawyer had satisfied him
that a man who would lie when the truth
was called for would swear TO IT.
The debate was further participated IN
by Messrs Wheeler Dem, Ala)' Mill
ken (Rep.. Me.). Lacey rep, Iowa. ana
Powers (ReD., Vi
Pending an argument for closing de-
bate. several amendments were proposed
one by Mr. Terry. proposed 10 allow
six hours debate in the House on each
case.
This was defeated by a vote OF, yeas.
81 10 NAYS l99 several contestees being
excused from voting
The original amendment 10 the rules
offered hy Mr.. Cannon was adopted
without division.
The Senate
Mr. cali offered a resolution which
went over tin tomorrow for the '-Tpoint-
mon, ~ a select committee TO investigate
the subject of organized efforts OF cor
nora,ions TO control the election OF mem
hers ~ Congress and to influence legisla-
tion.
Mr. Hanbroueh's (Rcp. OF North Da-
kota) bill TO prevent the Dissertation of
the national flag was introduced and re-
ferred To the judiciary Committee.
AT i2:40. on motion OF Mr. Morgan. the !
Senate proceeded 10 executive business.
Tho object Df tho session WAS 10 en-