The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-22
Democrats I'm the House Thrown Into
n Frenzy by the Ruling OF Tenn
porary Speaker Barrett.
SPEECH BY MIR. L. w. ROYSE
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL AGAIN
DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE.
Arguments for and Against Govern
Report ON Pacific Roads,.

WASHlNGION, Aprfl Zl.-Tne House TO-
day unseated James E. Cobb, a Democrat
representing the Fifth Alabama district. and
voted-l21 to 45-to seat Albert T. Goodwin,
Populist, but the point Of no quorum being
made. the House adjourned with the final
vote still pending. Five Republicans voted
with the Democrats to recommit the case.
with instructions to the to per-
NIT the contestant to offer estimony In re-
buttal. Mr.. Cobb had sos majority on the
face of the returns, but the majority found
extensive frauds in the three black counties
of the district, which reduced Mr.. Cobb's
vote and gave the contestant $3.50 majority.
minority claimed that no opportunity
was given to submit evidence in rebuttal and
that fraud was presumed. not proved. Mr..
Cobb has been a member of the Fiftieth.
Fifty-frst, Fffty-second and Fifty-third
Congresses. He was unseated by the Fifty
first House. An effort was made to fix
Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday of next
week for debate on the bankruptcy bill, but
1t was unsuccessful Mr.. Picklers general
pension bill will be brought I'D tomorrow
and the debate will probably run until FRI
day.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Hender-
son asked unanimous consert that the bank
ruptcy bill, which he gave notice he would
cal UP to-day, be considered Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday of next week.
Mr.. Hepburn objected. There was a great
pressure for unanimous consent. and quite a
number Of bills were passed. Among them
was the Senate bill for the relief Of settlers
on Northern Pacific railroad indemnity
lands.
At 1915 o'clock, the regular order was de-
manded. and Mr.. Daniels, chairman Of e.ec-
lions committee No. l.. called up the con-
from the Fifth Alabama district. An unsuc-
cessful attempt was made to limit the time
for debate to three hours. but Mr.. Cobb. the
the unseating of Cobb. who is a Democrat.
Before the debate began Mr.. Cook. from the
same committee, made the report on the case
Of John 1 Riniksr a Republican. vs.: Finis
Illinois district. The report favored the
seating OF the contestant. Mr.. Downing Is
the only Democratic member Of the House
Riniker was decided on to-day by elections
committee No. / by a vote Of 8 to 4. Mr..
Moody, q Massachusetts Republican. voted
In favor of Downing. On the face of the
returns Mr.. Cobb had a majority OF sos votes.
Mr.; Royse, Of Indiana, who opened the
trict gave Mr.. Goodwin a majority Of 3.612,
while the three black counties returned ma
~jorities so large for Mr.. Cobb as to overcome
the majority for Mr.. Goodwin In the white
extensive frauds In the black counties, which
warranted a reduction Of Mr.. Cobb's vote
by 1855. thus giving the contestant 2,S60
plurality.
Mr.. Bartlett. In behalf of the minority. ar
gued that the contestant had been denied
an opportunity to meet testimony adduced
in support of the charges of fraud. He de-
cared that fraud was not to be presumed,
except upon the strongest proof.
Mr.. Cobb. the contestee, took the floor and
made an hours speech In his w behalf.
An exciting incident occurred toward the
close Of Mr.. Cobb's remarks. Mr.. Barrett.
a Massachusetts Republican, who was tenn
porarily in the chair. let the hammer fall.
the minority side had expired. recognized
Mr.. Danie.s. Of New York, chairman Of the
elections committee. Mr.. Cobb Indignantly
protested that he could not be taken of the
floor; that he had an hour In his own right.
Mr.. Bailey, Mr.. Turner, Mr.. McMilin and
several other Democrats jumped to their
feet and demanded recognition as matters OF
ries. Mr.. Barrett was deaf to the clamor,
refusing to recognize them for any purpose
unless Mr.. Daniels yielded. Mr.. Bailey, with
parliamentary inquiry as a right. not as q
courtesy, and shouted above the storm OF
protests from the Democratic side that II the
occupant of the chair had any knowledge
Of the rules he would know hat a parlla-
mentary inquiry was always In order. But
Mr.. Barrett was obdurate.
Just as the strain was growing intense,
Speaker Reed. who had beer hurriedly sum-
moned from his private room In the rear OF
the lobby, assembled the rostrum. He took
In the situation at a glance. The troub.s
had arisen. he explained very quietly to the
standing on the part of the temporary
occupant Of the chair.
Ignorance. not misunderstanding" shout
ed Mr.. Bailey.
The Speaker called Mr.. Bailey to order
with a bang Of his gavel and continued thai
Mr.. Barrett, understanding that but one and
q half hours had been allowed on a side
had sought TO carry out what he conceived
to be the understanding.
Mr., Cobb was recognized to proceed and
the excitement quickly subsidized. At the con
clusion OF Mr.. Cobb's remarks. Mr.. Daniels
closed for the majority.
| At $50 p. m. Mr.. Daniels demanded the
| previous question, which was ordered. The
| vote was first taken on the minority resolu'
| tons declaring Mr. Cobb, the sitting mem
Der. entitled to his seat. The resolution wa:
defeated on a rising vote. AZ TO 100. Mr.
with Instructions to the election committee
to allow the contestee to submit evidence
in rebuttal. The motion to recommit was
lost-60 to 100. Five Observation-Disclosures
Arnold, of Rhode Island; Barrett, Of Massa.
chusetts; Knox, of Massachusetts,; Loud. OF
California, and Willis. OF De.aware-voted
with the Democrats.
The first declaring Mr.. Cobb not entitled
to the seat was adopted viva voce. but thu
quorum faiied-12 TO 45-on the resolution
| declaring Mr.. Goodwin entitled to the seat
and at $50 p. m. the House adjourned.