The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-05

j. G.. Davis. Democrat.

| Charles Greer. Democrat,
| j. G.. Davis. Democrat.
| Sworn to and subscribed to before me
| this. the Sst day OF January. 1897, by the
| above subscribers. "a NJ. Lockhart not
appearing. his name was erased By me.)
| fSeal. James II. Freeman,
| Notary Public, for Grimes County Texas.
! Now. gentlemen of the house. the returns
| of Pointers Prairie box, as certified To OH
the tally sheet, showed 1856 votes for |
| NJ. Bennett. and 90 votes for a. i. Bri
gance but when the votes were counted in
| Austin by the election committee. they then
showed for Bennett 1i2 votes and for Bri-
gance 60 votes. Now, gentlemen, do you
! think 1t reasonable that the officers of the
election at said box made such mistake?
The men who signed the above deposition
say they did not Now, when there is the
strongest kind of evidence to show that
the ballot box OF Pointers Prairie precinct
was tamencred with, in most shameiess
and daring manner will you deny me the
time and opportunity to prove this fact by
the evidence proposed above, in addition TO
the strong affidavit above shown? I do
not believe you Will deny me this right.
This is peculiar case in its details, as It
goes back directly to the sanctity and pro-
lection Of the ballot box A great question
Of principle is involved in II, and you, as
representatives OF the great state OF Texas,
re gardless of party affiliations. in passing
upon such a matter so vital to every free
man who loves his country. can not afford
to not let this case be fully investigated
and every evidence shown TO you that IL
asked to be presented. Yours respectfully,
I. NJ. Bennett.
Burns of Brown favored the resolution.
He said the populist party asked but one
thing postponeiuent for one week. He
thought II ought to be granted.
Mr. Ward said when he acted In matter
of this kind he acted without regard to
pQlit1rS He would his conscience
dictated, and If any persJl could make po-
litical capital out Of IL he was willing FOR
that to be done. He considered the rcsou-
tion most extraordinary one and he op-
posed it. He said the contestee had op-
posed the opening of the ballot boxes be-
cause he knew 1t would disclose an unfair
count. He said the only tampering that
had been done WAS done by the Judges OF
election when they fraudulently counted but
a democrat. Two years ago the democrats
of the house unseated magnificent young
democrat from Brazoria county and seated
a colored republican because the ballots
showed the republican had been elected and
for the same reason today. when / cast my
vote shall vote to unseat a populist and
seat democrat because the democrat was
elected.
Mr. Bennett pleaded his own case before
tho house.
Mr. VOTERS asked the question: "When
was your written objection to opening the
ballot boxes filed with the committed"
Bennett-Before the boxes were opened.
Woters-That is not fact.
Mr. Bennett proceeded and said he only
wanted justice. He said the affidavit
which he distributed in the house this
morning was not secured at his solicitation.
II was sent to him voluntarily. A friend
had telephoned him frcUzNavasuta that the |
Judges Of election were in n rage because |
their good names had been questioned.
Burney OF Kerr addressed the house. He |
said the democrats Of Grimes county had |
made n fight and lost and the house is to-
day trying to turn the battle for them |
and win It,
Henderson asked Burney II the commit
tee had counted the ballots in his pres
once and II the count was correct.
Burney replied in the affirmative to both
questions.
The resolution came to vote and was
los; by a vote of ~ ayes to &c noes.
Burney moved that contestant and con-
testce he allowed to be heard by counsel.
one hour being allotted to each
Field of Grayson moved to table. Car
So noes 25
Moore Of Lamar moved to adopt the ma
jority report of the committee on privi-
leges and elections.
Burney moved to substitute the minority
report.
Seahury moved to table Burney's motion.
%, noes IL.
VOTERS moved the previous question on
The majority report. Carried. The majority
report was then adopted by the vote of 90
ayes, II noes.
Smith moved that the report OF the COM
nlttee In the contested election case OF
Asberry VS.. Blackburn be made the special
order for Friday morning at 10 O'Clock.
Carried.
MT Brlgance was in the house and took
he oath Of office as representative from
irimes county and took the seat vacated
by Bennett. who was unscated by the adop-
Ion of the committee report
Ward offered resolution changing the
'ules so Az to make bills amending CITY
'harters local bills, so they can be ron,
lidered Saturday wye"
Iolland 81 Harris offered the following.
Shouid an adjournment of your honor
'ble body be taken in order to visit tbe
IVY OF galveston during the stay of tho
'a''ieshlp Texas In the harbor of tina, !
y ,e w on pehalf OF and by authority of the {
houston BUSINESS League. an organization
'eprcsenting the commercial and indus,,,ai
nterests OF Houston. ! hereby extend an :
INVITATION to this entire body and ofriccrs .
mercer TO make the trip from Houston IN !
'aINeston by steamer as the guests Of sojd I
e"Eue' transfer Will he made by rail di-
er1y from the train TO the steamers and
r'N''NAPH HtfNSsdFN 10 YOUR gnfnfp~A
hu nlensure will be made. Ar,nle ,ir,a ,
y,lu ne allowed to visit the battlefield OF :,
"a" Jsclnto to the end that the members
u u, ms honorable body may have the
'rViiege OF standing on the historic gro,,nJ c
,hleh is Immortality hallowed by the devo. /
, I, n ana consecrated by the blood Of sons I
. 'SN"s Norman g. Kittren,
r,o ~ Second Vice President.
hen adjourned "' Ao"s' n
'"e odd Fellows Adjourn,
''''las' Texas. February 4.-The State Il
rama Lodge Independent Order of Odd .
'nows' closed their work today after a h
w" '"sS session and the majority of the
ensa'es left for their homes tonight.
p,lo'e ''nal adjournment all the routine
oFN was disposed of, The mileage and Q
- "'em committee reported expenses for
~ "'elhg at S3l7l.S5, against $S545. 10 :