The San Francisco call., 1904-02-16
LAWMAKER
GIVES Up
HIS SEAT
ShafrOth of Colorado. a Rep
resentative in Congress, Sur
prises Members Of the House
by Presenting His Resignation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-In volun-
tarily relinquishing his seat as a mem
Der Of the House Of Representatives
Mr.. ShafrOth Of the First Colorado Dis
trict furnished a profound sensation
during the forty minutes session to-
day. The earnest words Of the Colo
radO member fairly took the breath
Of the House as he proceeded to put
the first case on record in that body
where d member gave up his seat, ac-
knOwledging that his election had been
tainted by fraud.
For this fraud Mr. Shafroth declared
he was not in any way responsible,
nor was he aware that ii had been per
petrated until the evidence had been
sdduced before the Elections Commit
tee Of the House tt was not done,
be said further, for the purpose Of caus-
ing his election.
AS he announced the conclusion of
eight years service in this manner,
most unsatisfactory 10 himself. his
voice betOke2ed the emotion he felt
The hush which spread over the floor
and galleries 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
long and heartily. The Democratic
members arose almost en- masse and
extended personal expressions Of SYM
pathy and encouragement.
RESULTS OF AN INQUIRY.
Mr. Olmsted, chairman OF the com
mittee ia charge Of the contest, recog-
nized the unusual position Mr.. Shafroth
had taken. lie said the investigation
by his committee exonerated Mr.. Shat
roth from any connection with the ir-
regularities which had been shown
The stand taken he said. was a most
manly and courageous one. The com
mittee had taken no action toward
formulating its report TO the House
on the case. and the surprising initia-
tive taken by Mr.. Shafroth as has been
explained by him was based on the
showing made by the handwriting ex-
pert employed TO examine the ballots
Mr.. Shafroth's statement was as fol-
lows:
Mr. Speaker, / rise to a question or
personal privilege in the contested
election case Of Robert w Bonynge
against ShafrOth. 1t was stipulated
and agreed by contestant and con-
testee that the ballots cast at that
election in the twenty-fOur contested
precincts should be brought before the
Committee on Elections Of this House
and opened for the first time in
the presence Of its members. The bal
lots were those cast at the general
election Of 1902 for State officers and
Representatives in Congress. The OBJ
ject was that the original arrangement,
form and condition Of the ballots
should be seen frst by the committee.
The ballots We're shipped TO the Clerk
Of the House OF Representatives at the
5oint expense OF Congress, contestant
and cOntestee.
INSPECTION OF BALLOTS.
AT the first meeting Of the commit
tee for the hearing Of the case the bal
lots were presented for inspection. A
subcommittee was appointed TO ascer-
tain how many illegal ballots were
contained therein. 1t was agreed that
IN order 10 facilitate their work their
session should be executive. The sub
committee opened the ballots from
three precincts, and, finding that it
took one week to examine them, asked
the House for authority to employ an
expert which was granted. Since that
time the expert has been examining
the ballots. and on Thursday last be
made his report 20 the committee. The