The National tribune., 1897-01-28
WEDNESDAY. JAN. 20.

In the Senate attentlon 10 Tue tcHezuciau
ouestion was renewed when Mr.. Pettigrew ad-
dressed the Senate in support of his resolution
calling on the Secretary OF State for report
ON the work of the Venezuelan Boundary
Commission and for copy OF the agreement
entered into Aetweeu the United States and
Great Britain. Mr.. Pettigrew spoke of the
tedious diplomatic struggle over this question,
covering many yeara
Last wear, he said, the President sent to
Congress a message that startled the world.
Acting on this. Congress provided for the Nene-
zuela Commission, but up to the present time
Congress and the public were in ignorance as
TO what had been DONE although it was well
understood that an agreement had been reached
between the Executive authorities and the
representatives of Great Britain and q treaty
had been made. This treaty, or agreement,
Mr.. Pettigrew alleged, was a surrender OF the
entire contention of the United States. Instead
of seen ring arbitration of the territory claimed
bv yenezuela it established Q 50-year limit,
which, IN effect, gave TO Great Britain all the
territory within the Schomburek line. 1t was
n complete abandonment of Venezuela and
surrender of all the United States had claimed.
At this point Mr.. Sherman interposed, say
ing he felt it to be his duty to move that the
Senate doors be closed, as this was question
concerning treaty which should be properly
considered in Executive session.
MrsPe,tigrcw insisted that he could speak
concerning the rEeSlu6ubs tucssAkc ou SuS DIV
feet and he proceeded on that line.
On the question of agreeing to the resolution,
Mr.. Sherman asked that it 6rst 60 to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations. and on Mr.. Petit
xrew's assent this disposition was made.
The Senate then resumed consideration Of
the Legislative, Executive. and Judicial appro-
pristion bill The amendment giving the ap-
pointment of the Librarian of Congress to the
President, with the advice and consent of the
Senate, was agreed to: also the amendments
for a Register of Copyrights. who shall perform
ali the duties relative TO copyrights, and for .
Superintendent of the Library Building and
grounds to have charge of the help incident to
the care of the building. The bill was there
upon passed.
In the House. the ost-Tucker contested
election case from the Tenth Virginia District
was called up by Mr. Mccall Mass, r. Chair
man of Committee on Elections No. g. The
majority of the COMMUNICATIONS Republicans
and three Democrats-found for the contestee,
Harry ST. George Tucker, a Democrat. who has
represented his district in four Congresses. A
minority of two Republicans-Mr. Walker
VA and M. Thomas Mich. )-brought in a
report in favor of the contestant, Mr.. Yost, who
is member-elect of the next Congress.
Upon the face of the returns. Mr.. Tucker re-
ceived 1922 votes and Mr.. YosS ii $50 The
case hinged upon the Justice of the Virginia
election law with regard to imperfect ballots
and the claim of the contestant that the re-
turns from one County should be discarded
owing TO the imperfect printing of ballots and
illegal instructions to election officers. A re-
count of the ballots, which included certain
"caption marked" and "blotted" ballots. still
gives Mr.. Tucker plurality of 332. There
were some 27ll ballots rejected because Of i'm
perfect marking, the Virginia law requiring
that in scratching" he must cross three
fourths of the letters of the name of the mar
he did not wish to vote for. Counting thes'
ballots. in which the contestants friends con
tended that the intent OF the voter was plainl,
figured. Mr.. Yost's plurality is 2059.
Mr. Codding PA, r.. member of the com
nittee who signed the report of the majority
opened the debate in favor OF sustaining tina
report aud confirming Mr.. fuckers title to til
seat Mr.. Codding argued that most of the in,
perfect ballots were counted under an arrange
ment between the contestant and contested, an
that after a careful examination of the test
mony in connection with the mandatory pro
visions of the Virginia law il was plain tina
the sitting member was entitled to the seat.
Mr. Yost the contestant followed Mr.. COO
ding with an hours speech in his own behal
the House BY unanimous consent accordin
him the privilege. He described the allege
manner in which the Democratic ele
tion officials blocked the negroes way to til
polls. Those who rob men on the highway
tHelf purses, SalC ne, are uot ics> Cuspao
than these chivalrous Virgiuisns, who assanlte
the weak and robbed them of their brit
right.
Tho stigms Of foul elections" said be, adj
eraced and debsuched the country for year
Its deadly influence paralyzed the public col
science, but now. thank God. in Virginia
lest the shock of this ballot broke the stupo
The fear of negro rule disappeared Blu
lsshcd by the sconrge of pnhlic opinion Il
guilty trickslers stil dare to bring their fan
20 the doors of Congress II you accept the
Vaccinations yon approve their methods 81
give them fresh license"
Argument was not concluded.