The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-07
High-Handed and Disgraceful
Proceedings in the House.
i'm UNsEATlNG LOCKHART
Speaker Chagrined and Mad
dened by Disappointment.
SEEKING HIS PETTY REVENGE
The Proceedings in Seating Martin
Showed that the Charges Against
Lockhart Gould Not Be
Sustained.

Washington, d. c., June 6.-(Special)
The high-handed and disgraceful
acts of the Fifty-frst Congress, when
Thomas b. Reed won the title of Amer
bean Gar, were eclipsed in the House
Yon Friday last. The occasion was the
consideration of the contested election
case of c. II. Martin VS.. j. \. Lock
hart In defiance OF all rules, decency
or justice, the case was summarily dis
posed of and Martin sworn in. Old
members openly declared that they
never before witnessed such disgrace
ful proceedings in the American Con-
gress.
Tom Reed, chagrined and disap-
uointed in his Presidential aspirations,
disowned and repudiated by the syco-
uhants who faWned upon him in his
palmv DAYS, seems to have been filed
afresh with the venom of tyranny and
usurpation and to gloat i'll tiendish
satisfaction in turning out Democratic
members whose seats have been con
tested in the House.
| \ plain statement of the proceedings
OF the House in the pretended consider
alton of this case will be sufficient to
stamp the brand of infamy on Thomas
! B. Reed forever, which should prove
a warning to all others who may pro-
pose to emulate his unworthy and
tiendish example.
Some four weeks ago the Committee
Of Elections considered this case, and
the Republican members of the COM
mittee decided to report in favor OF the
4, .f AalN spgsts a
who was not present when the discus
sion before the committee took place,
was assigned the duty of preparing the
report in favor of Martin. He was three
weeks preparing the report, and intro
duced it in the House without giving
the Democratic members of the COM
mittee an opportunity TO see it until
it was printed and distributed among
the members Of the House. Mr.. Strobe
and other Republican members of the
committee assured Mr.. Bailey, OF
Texas. that he should have ample
time to prepare a minority report be-
fore the case would be called up and
left the impression that the case would
not be called up this session as there
were several cases on the calendar,
where reports on both sides had been
printed and they would all hardly be
reached. Mr.. Bailey, however, prompt
Iy prepared his report, clearly showing
that MIR. Locllhart was duly elected.
On Tuesday, Mr.. Bailey asked permis-
sion of the House to have the minority
report printed, but this was prevented
by the objection of Mr.. KEN, Populist,
from Nebraska.
Mr.. Strobe and others told Mr..
Bailey that as KEN, a POpulist friend
OF Martin, had prevented the printing
OF Mr.. Bailey's report, and as they
would not try the case until both re-
ports were printed, they would not
bother about the case this sesEion;
vet under these circumstances, on
Thursday, Speaker Reed, Immediately
after disposing of Elliott's case and
seating the negro, Murray, sent for
Mr.. Strobe and made him call up the
Lockhart case. Without notice, be-
fore the minority report had been
printed, with one side of the question
ONLY before the House and in defiance
of an honorable understanding be-
tween Mr.. Bailey and Republican mem
bers Of the committee, this case was
preeipitated upon the House. Such
course was a surprise to everybody.
Mr.. Bailey protested i'm strong iaQ-
guage against such unheard of pro-
ceedings and said if this course was
adopted, he would not speak, that such
conduct proved that they intended to
turn Mr.. Lockhart out without reason
or Justice. and it would be a waste of
time to discuss the issues; that it was
proposed that to try the ease on an eN-
parte hearing, and that an honorable
tagreement had been violated He sug-
0ested that the contestee should he
heard. Whereupon Mr. Lockhart arose
and in an able and manly speech e%-
posed the treachery and injustice
which had been practiced by the
Speakers course and showed conclu-
sively to unprejudiced minds that the
report of the majority of the commit
tee failed to justify the charges pro-
posed to be made against him and that
he was honestly elected Old mem
bers, like Mr.. Grcsvenor, of Ohio, and
other Republicans who saw the great
Injustice about to be perpetrated, went
to Mr.. Lockhart and told him they
would vote to recommit the case, and
allow his report to be printed. The
Speaker seeing that fair-minded Re
publicans would not tolerate such a
wrong. suggested to Republican
member to have the minority report
read as a part of his speech and thus
pretend to be giving Mr.. Lockhart an
opportunity to be heard and at the
same time agree to have the vote taken
next morning. O fcourse they knew
the report thus printed would not be
seen by half a dozen members before
the vote would be taken.
On Friday morning, when it was pro-
posed to vote, Mr. Bailey moved to re-
commit the case to the committee, and
the Democratic members seeing that
Reed had whipped in enough Of his
party to carry out his purpose, refused
to vote. The result of the vote showed
over 40 votes less than a quorum, and
under the rules no business can be
transacted without a quorum. Mr..
Bailey promptly raised the point of
no quorum The occupant of the
chair cried out II decline to enter
tain the question Of no quorum and
in open violation Of his rules. declared
Martin seated and without further
ceremony swofe him in. -
Such proceedings are S,disa.ace to
C9neresa, for which all credit due