The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-22
IN THE HOUSE.

In the House today, Mr., Daniels, Re-
publican OF New York, chairman of the
committee on elections No. 1, called up
the report upon the contest of Albert T..
Goodwin vs. James e. Cobb for the seat
from the FifthEdistrict of Alabama, de-
claring that Goodwin, Populist, was en-
titled to the seat occupied by Cobb
Democrat.
The committee found Cohb's majority
of sos, returned by the canvassine board,
should be changed to 1850 in favor of
Goodwin, because of frauds committed
in the election. The minority report
claimed that Goodwin's right to the seat
had not been established. Mr.. Cobb's
argument in his defense was interrupted
when he had occupied an hour and a half
by the Speaker pro tenn, (Mr. Barrett, J
Republican of massachusetts, who recog-
nlzed Mr.. Daniels, taking Mr. Cobb off
the floor.
Instantly several members on the Dem
ocratic side demanded recognition, to
make parliamentary inquiry or to
speak to question of privilege. Mr..
Cobb protested earnestly against being
thus premptorily treated. Mr.. Barrett
ignored them, stating: "The gentle
man from New York is entitled to the
floor."
Mr.. Daniels hesitated, and the Speak
er pro tenn asked: ''Does the gentleman
yield; if So to who1n?''
Messrs. Bailey, Democrat of Texas,
and McMillin, Democrat of Tennessee,
ho5ly resented this suggestion, saying they
asked no mans grace to make parlia-
mentary inquiry. If there was anybody
IN the chair with q knowledge of the
rules,' said Mr. Bailey, sit would not
be necessary to state the fact"
THE gentleman from Texas" said tho
Speaker pro tenn, twill not address the
chair until he is recognized.''
In response to repeated inquiries by the
Speaker pro tenn, Mr.. Daniels yielded to
Mr.. BARTLETT, Democrat of Georgia, who
stated that when the case was called I'D,
Mr.. Daniels asked unanimous consent to
close the debate in three hours, the time
to be equally divided between the ma
jority and minority. Objection was made.
Mr.. Cobb claimed he was entitled to
an hour in his own right The Speaker
pro tenn explained that he had been in
formed that there had been an agreement
to divide the time between the majority
and minority, and the latter having oc-
oup1ed an hour and a half, he had in
dicated to Mr.. Cobb that his time had ex-
pired.
Speaker Reed resumed the chair. He
said the confusion had arisen from a
misunderstanding by the temporary oc-
cupant of the chair.
Mr.. Bailey. Demoorat-"Not misrn-
derstanding; ignorance.
The Speaker said the temporary occu-
pant was, In the opinion of the Speaker,
properly endeavoring to carry out what
he believed to be the arrangement, con-
oerning which he had been misinform sd.
He confirmed Mr.. Bartlett's version of
the situation and said Mr.. Cobb Was sue,
titled to the floor for an hour. Mr. Cobb
concluded and Was followed by Mr.. Dan.
iels, who controverted his contentious
vote was taken declaring Mr.. Cobb
entitled to the seat The vote resulted,
yeas, AZ; noes, 109. A motion to recom-
nit the case was rejected, yeas, 80;
noes, 100. On the resolution declaring
Mr. Goodwin entitled to the seat, the vote
was yeas, 141; nays, 45. This was not
quorum and the House adjourned,
leaving the case unsettled. The vote
was on party lines, the Republicans and
Populists voting for Goodwin, and the
Democrats for Cobb. On motion to re-
commit, the following Republicans voted
yea, Arnold Of Rhode Island. Barrett of
Massachusetts, Loud, California and
Willis Of Delaware.