Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26
THE MURRAY PETITIONS.
Further House Committee Hearing
Tbereon-yIurray,s Argument.

WASHINGTON. d. c., February %
The House Committee on the Election Of
President, Vice-President, and members
Of Congress to-day gave a further hear
ing on the petitions presented to the
House by Representative Murray. OF
South Carolina, making certain charges
of fraud regarding the elections In that
State under the new Constitution. and
requesting a congressional investigation
of the matter.
Mr.. Wilson Democrat Of South Caro-
lima, spoke or the legal aspects Of the
case, holding that Congress had no right
10 investigate. The milk I'm the cocoanut,
he said, was that Murray and his CO.
contestants desired their testimony 10 be
backed up by evidence collected by Con-
gress. This they would use IN the con-
tested case Of Murrays when that should
be brought before the House. He ex-
planned the requirements as TO regstra-
ton. as being drawn in the interest OF
the illiterate.
He did not approve Of the plan Of in
vestigation suggested by Murray. Onder
Il, the House only would be considered,
and a report would be made to it. This
would not be binding upon the Senate.
The proper procedure would be TO have
joint committee investigate.
Murray followed Mr.. Wilson. He was
not asking the investigation for his own
benefit. but for the citizens Of South
Carolina He had made successful
contest before the House heretofore and
his case for the next Congress was al
ready made up II time were only given.
he would present to the House the petit
lions OF 10000 citizens from all sections
of the State praying for a republican
form of government, as Is guaranteed
them by the Constitution.
Mr. Tucker DemocraD, Of Virginia,
asked II the people who had signed these
memorials had been disfranchised.
Murray replied that they had been, ana
added that people who had passed eX-
aminations for school-teachers had been
treated In the same way, being clasSea
with the illiterate.
Under the present state of affairs,
negroes had been refused registration.
There was a deep-seated conspiracy 10
deprive a large portion Of the citizens OF
his State of the right TO vote. In his
district alone, over 1000 had been re-
fused registration. The only remedy was
to apply to Congress for relief. The
sufferers Of the State thought 1t the
duty of Congress TO investigate the mas
ter and If in its power TO remedy II by
legislation. NO ItllcL SOuiu NC OpNe''''e "a
I'm the courts II Congress would make
the Investigation, it would satisfy all
concerned. and they would accept the re-
suit as final and binding.
question was asked as to the taking
of the oath by the members of the con-
stitutional convention, and Murray re-
uuested Smalls (ex-member OF Congress),
and member Of the convention, to an
sWer ii.
Smalls said that when a portion Of the
delegates to the convention had taken the
oath. Senator Tillman held that It was
unnecessary, and the roll-call was sus-
pended and the matter referred to the
judiciary Committee. That committee
reported that it was unnecessary to take
the OATH
The committee adjourned until to-mor-
row. when DR.. Pope, the Independent
candidate for Governor, will be heard.