The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-21

Washington, February 1.-THE re-
pablican members of the house OF rep
resentatives held q third caucus TO-
night to consider the question of south
ern elections. The attendance was not
as numerous as at former gatherings.
Speaker Henderson not attending and
only eighty-six republicans out Of a
total of 1873 being present. This was
short of q quorum, but the meeting pro-
seeded, with speedy aud definite results.
q resolution being adopted, asking the
house committee on rules to report a
resolution for a speciaI investigating
committee of eleven members to con
slider questions relatiLk to the disfran-
ehisement Of voters.
Representative Cannon. Of Illinois. &C.
cupied the chair, and In the absence of
Mr.. Loudenslager, Representative
Tawney, of Minnesota. acted as secre-
tary. 1t was agreed 1t the outset hat
the vote should be taken at , o'clock
Representative DiCk. or Ohio then
presented the following resolution as n
substi ute for hat of MIR. Crumpacker'
heretofore introduced:
Resolved. That 1t is the sense OF
this caucus that the committee on rules
report a resolution D. UyidinS in sub.
stance that a select committee be ap-
pointed by the speaker. consisting of
eleven members, whose duty it shall h.
and who shall have complete power
m authority TO investigate and inquire
into the validity OF election laws aud
the of their enforcement in the
Eeveral states. and whether the right
to vote OF male Inhabitants of any of
the states, 81 years Old and being citi-
Eens of the United Sta tes. is denied or
In any abridged, except for
crime, and such committee shall report
the result Of its Investigation at as
early Il date as practicable"
The debate was brief and was ell
tirely favorable to the ADOPTION of the
resolution.
Mr.. Dick supported IL on the ground
that 1t was simply a preliminary step
with a view to ascertaininS facts, leaV.
ing n question OF remedy To be deter
mined when the house was in posses-
sion of all h facts.
Mr.. Crumpacker c~oncurred in this
view and readily accepted the resolu-
ton In lieu of the one he had first i'll
PRODUCED. which proposed not only an
investigation. but also zee the remedy.
namely: A reduction of representa-
ton in congress pr~opurtionate to the
extent of disfranchisenIent.
kf. GTOSV6nOr, OIL OIllu- CiOSSu Tic uS-
bate by a speech in support of the res
olution. He pointed out that as this
was a step merely TO ascertain facts.
there was no danger of creating the
public impression that the republican
party proposed to enact ANY drastic
legislation on the subject.
The vote was then taken. and with
out a dissenting voice the resolu on
was agreed to. The caucus ~thereupon
adjourned.
1t was stated by members of the eau
Gus that the unanimous action by
e~ighty-six members would undoubtedly
be accepted by the comIni tee on rules,
Notwithstanding the absence OF a quo
rum, and it was pointed out by these
members that the eighty-six af1rma-
tive votes would have been a majority
IL a quorum had been Lrcsent.
1t was also stated BY the those who
had been roSt instrumental in framing
the resolutions that the investigat ton
could be conducted here in Washing
ton. probably wi bout any necessity of
making personal investigation i'll the
south or elsewhere.