The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-19
TALBERT CAUSES A TANGLE.
HIS SPEECH MAY COST HIS PARTY
SEVERAL SEATS.

sitting Members From SOutS Caro-
lima Reasonably Certain of De-
frnting the Negro Contestants be-
fore the Secession HaranEue Was
DeIivered-No,v, However, the Re-
publican Committeeman Seem to-
Have Changed Front.
Washington. Feb 18.-There was a rlI-
NOR circulated among the members Of the
South Carolina delegation to-day to the
effect that the recent speech Of Jasper
Talbert. which was denounced as "trea-
sonable" by Representative Barrett OF
Massachusetts. would probably cause sew
eral South Carolina congressman to lose
their seats. There are four contested cleo
tion cases pending before the House, and
they are about to be decided: in fact. the
very day that Representative Talbert Gre
ated the scene in the House. when he was
accused Of advocating secession, It was
understood that the committee on elections
having the South Carolina cases in hand
We're about TO report. 1t was generally
understood that at least three. If not all
OF the sitting members from South Caro-
lima would be given clear titles to their
seats.
Then came the Talbert episode, and al
most instantly there appeared to be a
change of sentiment among certain mem
bcrs OF the elections committee regarding
the South Carolina cases. The reports
said to be ready for PRONUNCIATION were
held back, and discouraging indications
We're thrown out to the interested gem
tlemen from South Carolina. All inqui-
ries of the committee were met with the
statement that the committee was hav-
ing great trouble In reaching a decis-
ion I'm those cases. 1t was also said that
the republican national committee was
urging the republicans OF the elections
committee not to lose sight Of the pOlit-
lcul possibilities involved in the South
Carolina eases.
Ex-Representative smalls. one Of the
representative colOred republicans OF
South Carolina. has been upon the floor
OF the House for several days past, using
whatever political influence he could
among republican members in behalf OF
me republican contestants in every case.
Although he is personally opposed TO g.
washington Murray who Is contesting
the Charleston district with Representa-
tive Elliott, Small is playing politics
strictly To the friends of Gov. Morton,
he says he has "a kind feeling for Mr..
Norton to the friends of Speaker Reed,
no says it Will be difficult matter for
him to vote against the big man from
Maine at the St Louis convention; and
TO the supporters OF the Allison boom, he
says that the senator from Iowa Is his
personal friend Of many years standing.
THESE incidents, together with Senator
TLlman's threat TO leave the democratic
! party are surely having a damaging ef-
! feet upon those South Carolina members
/ who follow the Iilman standard. In this
| connection a rather discouraging fact
| came 10 light to-day. Before the Talbert
| incident, one of the South Carolina mem
! bers, against whom a contest
Is being made, was discussing
| his case with republican
member Of the elections committee. The
| South Carolina member was eager to OBJ
tain information bearing upon his case
and the republican member, in a friendly
spirit, was disposed to go as far as possf-
bic In that direction without violating the
obligations Of secrecy imposed upon all
members Of the committee. The South
Carolnian suggested that he felt quite
confident that his case would be decided
in his favor, and to that end he was about
TO secure a house in Washington for the
remainder Of the session and send for his
family 10 join him here This was a very
deep spunder, and the member of the
committee, appreciating that fact, replied
an the same friendly spirit that there
should be no hestancy about securing
| the house and congratulating the South
| C&Follni&H upon the prospect of having
ago the same two men met again and
proceeded to discuss the same subject
To the dlsmay of the South Carolinian
his republican friend said a change had
come over the situation, and advised him
| not to be in a hurry about engaging a.
house and bringing his family to Wash
] ingtOn,