Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-27
57th CONGRESS.
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had intended to demand the complete
reading of the journal and the Speaker,
anticipating this, created smile by
directing the clerk to read the journal
in full" While this was proceeding
clerks of the President and Senate had
been in the hall for an hour awaiting
patiently an opportunity to deliver
their messages.
The reading of the journal consumed
20 minutes. AT the conclusion of the
reading Payne moved it's approval but
Richardson demanded the reading of
the bills and resolutions introduced,
yesterday. The Speaker said that
While it had not been the practice to
read these addenda, if they were de-
manded he would direct the clerk to
read them. Richardson insisted and
they We're read. 1t required Is minutes
to read the addenda
Payne then renewed his motion to
approve the Journal, but withdrew it
to allow Russell. Dem, KY, to consent
to correct the journal in regard to a
vote he cast, yesterday Hay, DEM,
va, objected, but the Speaker some
what sharply ruled that a member had
the right to make such correction A
had feeling began to show and a mo-
ment later when Payne again renewed
his motion he exchanged sharp words
with Richardson.
Payne said he made his motion be-
cause there was an evident disposition
on the other side to delay proceedings
and all sorts of motions to amend the
journal might be made.
Underwood, Dem, Ala, protested
against the previous question without
giving his side an opportunity to reply,
but Payne declined to yield and de-
manded the previous question. An
other roll call was forced upon this
demand. ,4.,.s
The previous question was ordered,
154 to So. Another roll call was forced
on the motion to approve the journal.
Wadsworth IN. " attempted to ask
unanimous consent to send the agricul-
tural appropriation bill to conference,
but half dozen Democrats demanded
the regular order"
Olmstead (Pa) then called UP the
contested election case of Wagner VS..
Fuller from the 18th Missouri district,
and Richardson raised the question of
consideration against it. The roll was
called again. The House decided to
consider the case, 1853 to 100, a party
vote. 5s4....
Olmstead. in charge of the case, took
the floor in support of the majority re-
port, which recommended the unseat-
ing of Butler and the seating of Wag-
oner. An attempt to agree on time was
unsuccessful, Olmstead offered to allow
two hours on a side, but Feeley Qll),
on behalf of the minority, rejected the
proposition, asking for a full day fol
the minority.
Olmstead then reviewed the history
of the contest. Feeley in arguing that
Butler should not be unseated, protest.
ed that the whole proceeding before
the elections committee was irregular
and unprecedented. Feeley spoke 81
minutes and then yielded the remain
ing nine minutes of his time to Dear
mond (MoD. Two requests were pre-
ferred to extend the latter's time, but
Olmstead objected, saying that so much
time had been wasted that he could
not agree to any extension.
DeArmond was exceedingly severe in
his arraignment of the majority and
aroused his side to great enthusiasm.
He denounced the conduct of the case
as Il remarkable proceeding, devoid
of honesty or decency, a shameful spec
tacle. whose base and sordid motive
was to vote the contestant $4,000 in
salary" He declared that it was an
act of theft and in conclusion warned
the other side that from now until
March the Democrats proposed to 40
what they could to impress upon the
country and upon the record the fact
that they would not tamely submit to
this larceny"
IF legislation fails" said he, adj
dressing the Republican side, ''remem-
Der that when you vote to steal But
ler's seat you vote to kill measures in
which you are interested" Demo-
cratic applause.)
Miller Kas., replied to DeArmond,
declaring amid applause on his side of
the House, that neither vituperation
or threats could prevent the majority
from doing its duty"
Olmstead concluded the debate in a
5-minute speech and then demanded
the previous question. 1t was ordered,
$50 to Ill.
The vote was then taken on the mi
nority resolutions declaring Butler en-
titled to his seat. They were voted
down, liz to 1876.