The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-02-16
RESIGNS SEAT
IN LOWER HOUSE
Congressman ShaffrOth of Colo
RADIO Creates a Sensation.
ACTION UNPRECEDENTED
HIS ELECTION WAS TAINTED BY
FRAUD or WHICH ne WAS
IGNORANT.
By Associated Press.

~ fh@sc~ANsSQ i
Washington, Feb. 15.--Inyoluntarly
reiinquishing his seat AS a member Of
the house Congressman Shaffroth Of
Colorado. furnished a profound sensa,
ton during the forty minutes session
today. The manly and earnest words
of the Colorado member fairly took
the breath Of the house as he proceed,
ed to put the first case on record IN
that body where member gave up his
seat, acknowledging that his election
had been tainted by fraud.
For this fraud, Congressman SAT-
froth declared, he was not In any way
responsible, nor was he aware that
II had been perpetrated until evidence
had been adduced before the election
committee of the house 1t was not
done. he said further, fog the purpose
Of causing bis election.
As he announced the conclusion OF
eight years service in this manner
most unsatisfactory to himself. his
voice bctokened the emotion he felt.
The hush that spread over the floor
and gallaries when the purport Of his
remarks was realized became almost
painful but when he sat down with
words of thanks on his lips for the
treatment he had received from his
colleagues on both sides OF the cham.
Der, applause burst forth and CON
tinued long and heartily.
The Democratic members arose at.
most eli masse and extended their
personal expression Of sympathy and
encouragement.
Representative Olmsteld, chairman
OF the committee IN charge Of the CON
'est recognized the unusual position
Shah'roih had taken He said the in
stssisltian b. his committee exonor-
ated Shaffr0th from any connection
with Irregularities which had been
shown The stand taken. he said, was
a most manly and courageous ono
The committee had taken no action
toward formulating its report to the
house on the case, and the surprising
Initiative taken by Saffroth, as had
been explained by him, was based on
the showing made by handwriting ex.
pcrts employed to examine the bal
lots
Following the suggestion of Repre-.
sentative Saffroth In his speech to- the
house, Representative Olmstead hast
lily drew up the proper resolution for
his unscating, and the seating Of
Bonyngc and this was agreed to with
silent assent, wbereupon the house ad-
iourncd.
Secretary Wilson of the Agricul'
tural department, relinquishcd scat
In the house to a contestant In order
that the bill to make Grant full gen
eral on the retired list maght be
passed A report had been made from
the committee and was pending on the
last day OF congress. Samuel ]. Ran
dali brought In bill in behalf Of
General Grant, but the Democrats,
who we're In q majority, insisted there
should be vote on the contest against
Wilson. There WAS fiiibustering on
The Republican side. but Wilson
arose and stated he did not want TO
stand in the way Of the Grant bill and
asked that the contestant, B. l.. Fred.
orick. be seated This was done
about two hours before congress ex'
pired March A. 1885. The Grant bill
The unanimously passed.
While Wilson voluntarily retired II
was for special purpose and not be-
cause he felt that his election was
void. These are the only two like
cases ON record,