The times., 1898-02-09
FIVE HOURS OF DEBATE
The Plowman Aldrich Case Is
Argued at Length.
1t Affords II Treat for the Crowded
Galleries Pure Food Bill
PASSES.

Nearly five hours were consumed
yesterday in the House in the argu-
ments on the majority and minority
reports in the contested election case
of Aldrich, Republican. against Plow-
man, Democrat, from the Fourth Ala
bama district AS was expected, the
debate turned on the method of cleo
tions in some of the Southern States.
1t was the first debate of the kind in
the House this session, and was heard
by crowded galleries.
Mr.. Settle, of Kentucky. made an ex-
cellent speech for the contestee, Plow-
man, in which he made ali manner of
fun of the Republicans, who were eX-
hausting all their energies 10 seat a
man who had been indorsed by Popu-
list convention, who had indorsed BIZ
metallism, and who, when he accepted
the nomination, formally thanked the
Populists for it, Mr. Settles well-di-
gested and manly speech was in mark
ed contrast with the partisan efforts OF
Mr.. Tayler, of Ohio, and Mr.. Mann, OF
Illinois.
The case for Mr.. Aldrich was pre-
sented by Mr.. Tayler, chairman of
Elections Committee No. l. He re-
viewed the whole ease, which was more
specifically argued by other members
of the committee.
Mr. Fox, of Mississippi made the
first argument in favor of Mr.. Plow-
man. He charged that the majority
report was an indictment of bribery,
! forgery and perjury against the people
of Ala hama 10 1lnY1Ggfa fa1 hn TT
! san manner i'll which Mr. Tayler had
presented the report. and denied very
forcibly at the outset the conclusion of
that report
Mr. Mann continued the argument
for the majority report. The Repub-
licans of the House. he said, did not
regard the issue as merely the seating
of a Republican. but as establishing
the right of the citizen To cast his bal
lot as he chose. Mr. Mann said that
the Alabama election law was made
for the specific purpose Of defrauding
the voters. He said that the ticket it.
self was a badge of fraud.
In the course of the speech Mr.. Mann
referred to some of the Western rotten
boroughS. h4
MI. Greene, of Nebraska;a1 would
like to know whether the gentleman re-
ferred to the Western States as rotten
boroughs.
Mr.. Mann: Not all of them. I com
plimented the State of Nebraska. l
have great respect for Nebraska-for
the State OF Nebraska.
Mr.. Settle replied to Mr.. Mann. He
promised that the case had been pre-
judged. He affirmed that the Alabama
election law provided every possible
means of preventing fraud and the
State was the judge of its own cleo
q irS Tho lnl
no right to assume that all colored
men would vote the Republican ticket.
Mr.. Settle made a magnificent speech.
which was interrupted by the howl for
adjournment. The vote on the major
ity report will be taken at 5 O'Clock this
afternoon.
The conference report on the District
pure food BILL to prevent the adulter-
alton of food products. was presented.
One of the important requisites agreed
to by both sides was with reference to
flour, which if sold as pure -four must
be so branded; if mixed the fact must
be stated
Mr.. Curtis of Iowa said that the med
ical authorities and the health office
had insisted on the Senate amendment
as TO flour, which. among others, DR..
Busey had shown could be easily adul-
terated, being retailed with all its re-
strictions The conference report was
agreed to with its stringent legal pro-
visions against adulteration Of pro-
ducts.
On assembling the Senate advised the
House that it adhered TO its amend
ments to the legislative appropriation
bill.
The bin authorizing the erection of a
steel bridge over the Snake River was
agreed to.
The Senate amendments to the agri-
cultural bill were disagreed TO.