The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-09
CONTEST FROM DIXIE
Majority and Minority Reports
to the House.
ALDRICH -PLOWMAN CASE
Develops the Usual Southern
Election Modes.

Washington, Feb. S.-The house today
entered upon the consideration of the Al
drich- Plowman contested election case
from the Fourth Alabama district. The
majority of the committee reported in IA
vor Of seating the Republican candidate,
ton vigorously denied by the Democratic
majority. Mr.. Plowman's plurality on the
face of the returns was 1851. The ma
jority revised the figures so as to give
Aidrich a plurality of 234. Two speeches
were made today on each side; by Messrs.
Taylor Ohio, and Mann Qlls), and by
Messrs. Fox (AIlss), and Settle CKy.). for
the minority. 1t is expected that a vote
will be reached tomorrow.
Washington, Feb. SIN the house today
a bill was passed authorizing the Lewis
ton and Concord Bridge company to con-
5truct and maintain q bridge across the
Snake river, between Idaho and Washing
ton.
Mr. Taylor Rep. Ohio.), chairman of
election committee No. 1, then called up
the contested election case of William
F. AIdrich VS.. Thomas S. Plowman from
the Fourth Alabama district.
Mr.. Plowman, the sitting member, is a
Democrat, and Mr.. Aldrich was the Popu-
list and Republican candidate. The ma
jority Of the committee reported solidly in
favor of unseatng Mr.. Plowman. Mr..
Taylor. who opened the debate with an
elaborate argument N Tabor of sustain
ing the majority report deplOred the fact
that a partisan body was called to pass
upon such case. but in this particular
instance he said there had been no draft
upon his political prejudices. He explain
ed the Alabama election laws, which, he
SAID, could rot have been framed more
effectively to encourage fraud and thwart
the peoples will The illiterate voter, he
said, was absolutely at the mercy of the
ticket-marker. Fraud. he said, was every
where. not lurking or secret, but bold and
insolent.
Mr.. Fox CDem. M,ss). presented the
case Of theminority, which reported thar
MI Plowman was entitled to his scar.
lie dwelt upon the fact that Aldrich was
not the regular nominee Of the Republican
and POpulsts, and that any assumption
that het commanded the full strength Of
the Republicans and Popul.sts of the dis
trict was unwarranted While there was
a time, said Mr.. Fox, when the magic
name Of Lincoln and Grant, together with
Il baseless fear that the domination of
their former masters might again impress
them into slavery, kept the negroes solid, !
that time had gone. Republicans from
the north had no right to assume that
every negro voter was a Republican be-
cause his skin was black. He controvert- I
I'd the claim that a conspiracy existed /
and maintained that a revision of the re- /
turns in accordance with the testimony I
would still give Plowman a plurality OF
:. 49,.
Mr.. Mann Rep., I'D. a member of the I
committee. who followed, in concluding
MS argument in favor of the majority re- /
port, said he had gone into the case with .
MS prejudices in favor Of the south. His
people were all southerners. But after
sxaminationof the testimony fraud was
2atent and he could not but condemn a
which, by conspiracy. sought to
control the congress Of the United States
md leg,slate through fraud for the bust
less interests of the country. He appeal
d 70 his Republican associates 10 seat
he man in The face Of utilization. had
he nerve and the manhood to say 10 the
ascals pursued him" I Will fight you
III I die"
Mir. Settre Dem, Ky) another mem
nber Of the committe IN opening his ar
said that while he feared the
erdict against Dir. PIowman was already
made up. he could not believe thaat hon
st men would seize upon a combination
I isolated irregularities. none of which
mounted to actual fraud. as SOP Of con-
cience and vote 20 uneat a feilow-r1eua-
er because he was a Democrat.
Mr. Settle was very severe n his con
emnation Of Ar. Aldrich's tactics Hts
smarks were given close attention ana
frequently aroused his political ascot
ties manifestations of enthusiastic an
roval sone az his sallies were applaud
Z. even By Republicans
Without completing his argument he
ielded 10 a motion n adjourn. and AZ SOS II,
n. the hose adjourned.