The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-05
Ixentuclxy's Dirty Political Linen
Aired i'm the House of Represent
atives without Bloodshed.
SPEECH BY VINCENT BoREING
WHO VERBALLY BORED HOLES IN
THE STATE ELECTION LAW.
Wheeler Fiery. hut Did Not Put His
Hand ON His Hip Pocket When
Pugh Questioned His yeracity.

exciting scene IN the House to-day as the
climax of discussion or the Kentucky
situation, when Mr.. Wheeler, Kentucky
Democrat. and Mr.. Pugn a Kentucky Re-
publican, faced each other from opposite
sides Of the main aisle and INDUCED 4, a
wordy duel. Mr.. Pugh charged Mr.. Wheeler
With disappearing certain facts. lie
laboring under great excitement. Mr..
Wheeler showed admirable temper. ard.
though quick TO resent the fancied Insult.
awaited the explanation of Mr.. Pugh. IN
which he disclaimed any intention of In
putting to him personally desire to dis
tort the facts Throughout the debate.
which was precipitated by a speech OF MI
Boreing. the other Republican membe-
from Kentucky. there was air of sup
pressed excitement. 1t was the first time
the subject had been preached in the
House, and intense interest was mani
tested. Mr.. Lacey. of Iowa. concluded the
debate with general denunciatiorl of the
Goebel election law. This incident over
Swallowed the other speeches to-day on the
Hawaiian bill, many of which were ir-
relevant.
Mr.. Boreing opened the discussion of the
Kentucky situation. Holding the light OF
civilization before the world as the United
States were doing, were we, he asked,
willing to see the torch of liberty extin-
guished at the birthplace or Abraham Lin
coin and the home of Henry Clay? II was
with no spirit of acrimony, he said. that
he referred to the situation in Kentucky.
So far as the GoebeI election law of that
State was concerned, ne said, the people
places with Porto Rico or Hawaii They
were not asking for federal interference:
they were asking simply for fair election
law. Mr.. Boreing gave numerous Illus
trations of the manner in which the elec-
ton law operated to the disadvantage o.
the Republicans of the State. He submit
ted that the clause of the Constitution
which guaranteed to each State a repub
lican form of government was dead let
ter i'm Kentucky. If each State was SOW
ereign. then, he admitted. each State mus
work out it's own salvation. In conclusion
he gave notice to the country that IL IL wal
necessary to get rid of the Goebel law h'
would ask for the passage of a fedora
election law. 81 will not appeal on behar
of the colored race or OF the Republican
party in Kentucky" said he. but for
general election law which will enable the
federal courts to reach out and detcrmin,
the validity and constitutionality OF the
election laws of the several States
WHEELER RETURNS THE FIRE
Mr.. Boreing's speech drew the fire of Mr..
Wheeler, who replied to him in fiery
speech He had sincerely hoped, he said,
that the Kentucky situation would not be
brought to the attention of Congress. He
admitted that the situation was humiliat-
ing to every kentuckian. but had hoped
that it would not be ventilated here Pro-
ceeding, he eulogized the Goebel election
law, which had been declared consiitu-
tional by the highest court OF the Stale.
To that decision, he said, IL was the duty
of every law-abiding citizen TO bow He
would not contend that the dominant party
had not taken advantage of Its power IN
districting the State. 1t had done so fol-
lowing the tactics OF the dominant party
in most of the Safes. Why, he asked. had
the gentleman from Kentucky threatened
the Democrats OF Kentucky with a fed
eral election law? Why threaten? Surely,
IL a federal election law were 10 be en-
acted it would be fair. The only explana-
ton of the threat was that IL was 10 De
used to terrorize the Democrats.
MIR. Boreing disclaimed any intention cf
threatening the Democrats. but the law
must be repealed.
..It will never be repealed said Mr..
Wheeler, turning TO Mr. Boreing- III you
come back TO Congress you will come back
under IL. 1t is there to stay. j Will put IL
i'm the Record that the people may see THIS
maligned and traduced law which Is similar
10 the law i'm other States Some of its
provisions are identical with the Constitu-
ton of Ohio.
Continuing Mr. wheeler said that ''ali the
fuss was being kicked up IN Kentucky Dy
fol ryhn
defiance of the courts whose mandates
they refuse to obey. lie challenged Mi.
Boreing and Mr. Pugh. of Kentucky. to
point out single instance of fraud or
rascality under the Goebel election law
Mr.. Boreing cited the case of the city or
Louisville the vote of which was thrown
out.
'sThe city of Louisville was thrown out
by the LEGISLATURE" replied Mr.. Wheeler.
acting under the provision OF the Con-
stitution. not the Goebel election law. The
election commissioners did not declare
Taylor Governor of Kentucky. They said
that on the face of the returns he had the
majority. but that IL bore such unmistak-
able evidence of fraud that If they had the
right they would go behind IL and Kick
him out, as the Legislature did"
did they not issue the certificate TO
him." asked Mr.. Pugh.
Certainly they did: but they said u bore
such unmistakable evidence Of fraud that
IL they had the power TO go behind the
returns they would refuse him the certi-
,ficate."
WHO KILLED GOEBEL?
II do know that some of them tried 10
pave the way for the contest" replied
Pugh. holly, that was afterwards waged
or partisan lines in the Legislature to the
disgrace OF our commonwealth and 10 the
disgrace OF you as a citizen thereof. Jap
plause on the Republican side.1
THAT is the gentleman's opinion" re-
torted Mr.. Wheeler. sarcasticaIly 81 would
rather be disgraced. Mr.. Chairman. at any
time by taking my lot with the Demo-
Gratis of Kentucky than 10 be identified
with the men who took the life OF Governor
Goebel, OF that State" Applause on the
Democratic side.I
Are you quite certain that the men vino
took the life Of Gocbel could not be traced
to your own ranks rather than 10 the Re-
publican party In Kentucky" asked Mr..
pugh. livid with excitement, amid ierisive
laughter on the Democratic side.
Nobody believes that shouted some
one on the Democratic side.
do you say nobody believes that -
asked Mr.. Pugh, facing the Democratic
side WAS not a more bitter contest
waged against Mr.. Goebei I'm that State
by his own party than was waged In the
Republican ranks: Was not he denounced
more from every stump I'm the State OF
Kentucky by Democrats than by Re
prblicans?
Mr.. wheeier-That Is true. Mr.. Chair
man. Applause on the Republican side.l
IL has been the fate OF great man who