Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-01
EDITOR CHAPLIN VOTED
How a Marshalltown Man Helped
to Settle the Hayes-Til.
den Contest.
Editor Chaplin Was on the Floor
OF the House and Was
Counted.
Happened to Be in Wilson'S
Seat and Stood Up to Be
Counted.
pccial to Times-Republican,

Special to Times Republican.
Washington, July 1.-Major Rath-
bun, of Marion, became reminiscent
yesterday while chatting with some of
the Iowa crowd in Senator Delivers
committee room. The major said the
swift rush and the hurry and confu-
sion incident to the last days of the
session called to mind a time a score of
years ago when he was present at the
closing of a session of congress.
At that time Congressman Wilson
represented the Fifth district. Samuel
j. Randall was speaker and Wilson
stood very close to Randall. 1t appears
that this was the Sd day of March. The
following day Rutherford B. Hayes was
to be inaugurated president of the
was claimed that Samuel j. Tilden
would take the oath of office as presi-
dent in New York.
Everything was at fever heat. 1t was
feared there would be trouble in the
house in spite of all precautions. A
certain element of the majority in the
house was in an ugly mood. Randall
was straining every nerve to keep the
strings in hand and tight. He depended
upon Wilson, republican tho he was, to
help him in a certain quarter.
1t seems that In those days the rigid
rules in connection with floor privileges
now in vogue had not been laid down.
1t was then possible for members to
have their friends upon the floor, upon
invitation.
Major Rathbun and Editor Chaplin,
then of Marshalltown, reached Wash
ington just about noon of the Sd of
March. They jumped from the train,
rushed into the st. James Hotel, threw
their grips over the counter and said:
Save us room." and started pell-mell
for the capitol.
Arriving at the house entrance they
found matters badly congested. In an
ticipation of trouble, guards had been
stationed and orders issued practically
denying visitors the right to the floor
curing the day. Major Rathbun pre-
scented his card to messenger and re-
auested him to take it in to Congress
man Wilson. The request was refused.
An effort was made at another entrance
with similar results. They tried
third, but We're repulsed. Finally,
around on one side they prevailed upon
a messenger to take the card. He went
inside. but soon came out, saying that
Mr. Wilson was not in his seat.
That's all right" observed Major
Rathbun, but you will find him stand
ing so-and-so. Hand him that card"
The messenger soon returned with
orders to admit them. 1t seems that
Congressman Wilson had gone to
Speaker Randall and informed the lat
ter that a couple of Iowa newspaper
men were anxious to witness the ses-
sion and requested permission for them.
to enter The request was granted and
the two Iowa editors slid inside.
The chamber was somewhat crowded
and many visitors We're ranged along
the railing on the edges Of the desks,
standing. Editor Chaplin was weary
and seeing no inviting sofa convenient,
nonchalantly drifted over to Congress-
man Wilson'S desk and dropped in his
chair. Mr. Wilson having taken po-
sition Of vantage where he could be OF
service to Speaker Randall, if neces-
sary. The situation had reached such
a state of tension, the vote in the house
being near at hand, that no notice was
taken of Chaplin as he appropriated
Wilson's seat.
Within a few moments the deciding
vote in connection with the Hayes
Tilden matter was taken and when the
affirmative on the rising vote was called
for Chaplin arose along with others on
that side and was counted. Thus the
vote of Chaplin was recorded; not by
name, but by number, his vote swelling
the number by that one. Major Rath-
bun says he believes this the only case
on record where a non-combattant act
ually cut ice on the floor of the house.
It's different now. The non-combat-
tant don't get on the floor.
1t is expected that within a couple of
weeks it may be possible to announce
with some definiteness the itinerary
that will be followed by President
Roosevelt and his marty this fall. Just