Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-03
tuted an invasion of the dignity of the

tuted an invasion of the dignity of the
House.
The matter dealt with by the resolution
might also affect the election OF PRESIDENT
of the United States a matter held repeat
edIy to be a matter of high privilege. But
Mr. Olmsted was willing to rest his case
upon the plain mandate of the Constitution.
Mr.. Richardson Replies.
Mr. Richardson made a brief response to
Mr.. Olmsted He conceded that an appor-
tionment bali was privileged, but commended
that resolution Itself was simply one OF
inquiry to ascertain facts which might or
might not be true.
The resoluti n clearly recites that in GER
tain states suffrage had been abridged
without reduction of representation, inter-
posed Mr.. Olmsted.
.'The whereas makes such allega-
ton, replied Mr.. Richardson. but the
resolution is simply one of inquiry.
How can we app 1rtIOn cOnstl ,uuonally,
asked Mr. Mahon (Pa), Elf we do not know
the facts? How can ascertain the truth
of the allegations that hundreds of thous-
ands of cit Z"ns are tiffranchiS ~?
n investigation be made" replied
Mr.. Richardson, but it must be made in
the regular way.
question was clearly settled by section of
article il of the Constitution, which he d.
rected the clerk to read 1t related to the
reduction of IT representation in states where
the suffrage abridged The resolution
and its preamble, said the Speaker, alleged
that certain conditions existed which the
Constitution expressly prohibited. and 1t
must be passed upon by higher rule than
those of the House-the Constitution of the
United States. He said never expected
to pass upon a question mere simple. He
overruied the point of order.
Mr.. Underwood Immediately raised the
question of consideration against the reso-
luton. On rising vote It stood. ayes, 60:
noes. 40. The ayes and noes were demand
eed and ordered. The Speaker announced
the vote Il to consider the resolution. 50
against and five present, but not voting,
House pending VIII - Mr.. Underwood
again moved adjournment
The rising NJte t--U..,,... IyeS, a.. noes,
"a but Mr.. OImsted demanded the ayes
ana noes. which were oruered.
The motion to adjourn was carried. q to
40. and. accordingly, at o clock the House
adjourned.
Representative Shattuc's Resolution.
Representative Shuttuc of Ohio intro
duced the following resolution in regard to
. dsfranchisement:
Whereas, in order that the apportion-
ment of membership of the House of Rep
resentatives may be determined in a con-
stitutionai manner, therefore be 1t
Resolved, by the House of Representa-
tives that the director Of the census be
directed to furnish this House at the eaiii-
est possible moment the following infor-
First. The total number of male citizens
of the United States over twenty-one years
of age in each of the several states of the
Union.
Second. The total number of male citi-
Zens of the United States over twenty-one
years of age who. by reason of state con-
stitutiondl limitations or state Legislation
are denied the right of suffrage: whether
such denial exists on account of i.literacy,
account of pauperism. on account oil
pOygamy. on account of property quail
fications. or for any other reason.
Resolved. further, that the Speaker OF
the House of Representatives be author
lied and directed TO appoint select COM
mittee of five members who shall invesu-
gate the question of the alleged abridg-
ment of the elective franchise for any Oh
the causes mentioned, in all of the states
of the Union in which constitutional or
legislative restrictions the right of suf-
frage are Claimed to exist; said committee
shall be authorized to send for persons and
papers, to administer oaths to witnesses,
and TO have hearings al such places as In
the judgment of the committee the de-
sired information can best be had. The
committee is also authorized to employ
stenographer and such other clerical and
expert assistance as 1t may deem neces
sary: the expenses of the investigation 10
be paid out of the contingent fund of the
House of Representatives upon vouchers
signed and approved by the chairman OIL
said committee