Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-16
58TH CONGRESS-.
Shafroth of Colorado Furnishes
Sensation in House.
Convinced Of Fraud in Election He
Voluntarily ReIinquishes Seat.
Only Case on Record Of Such an
Occurrence.

Washington, Feb. 15.-In voluntarily
relinqushing his seat as a member OF
the House of Representatives Mr.
Shafroth Of the First district Of Colo
RADIO, furnished a profound sensation
during the 40 minutes session, today.
The manly and earnest words of the
Colorado member fairly took the
breath of the House as he proceeded to
put the first case on record in that
body where member gave up his seat,
acknowledging that his election had
beer obtained by fraud. For this
fraud, Mr. Shafroth declared he was
not in any way responsible. nor was
he aware that it had been perpetrated
until the evidence had been adduced
before the elections committee of the
House. 1t was not done, he said. fur
Their. for the purpose of causing his
election.
AS he announced the conclusion of
eight years service i'll this manner
most unsatisfactory to himself, his
voice bctokened 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 fo- the
treatment he had received from his
colleagues on both sides of the cham
Der applause burst forth and continued
long and heartily. The Democratic
members arose almost en- masse and
extended personal expressions of SYM
pathy and encouragement.
Mr. Clmstead, chairman of the COM
mittee in charge of the contest, recog
nizcd the unusual position Mr.
Shafroth had taken. He said the in
vestigation by his committee eXoner-
ated Mr.. Shafroth from any connection
with the irregularities which had been
shown. The stand taken, he said, was
a most manly and courageous one. The
committee had taken no action to-
ward formulating its report to the
House on the case. and the surprising
initiative taken by Mr.. Shafroth as had
been explained by him. was based on
the showing made by the handwriting
experts employed to examine the bal
lots.
Following the suggestion of Mr..
Shafroth in his speech to the House.
Mr.. Olmstead hastily drew up the
proper resolution for his unseating and
the seating OF MT. BOnNnSe ana tnlS
was agreed to with silent assent.
whereupon the House adjourned.
Secretary James Wilson. of the agri-
cultural department, relinquished a
seat in the House to contestant in
order that the bill to make Gen. Grant
a full general on the retired list might
he passed. a report had been made
from the committee and the case was
pending on the last day of the Con-
gress. Samuel 7. Randell brought in a
bill in behalf of Gen. Grant. but the
Democrats who were in the majority,
insisted that there should be a vote on
the contest against Wilson. The Re-
publicans were filibusternE against
such q vote being taken. but Mr.. Will
son arose and stated that he did not
went to stand in the way of the Grant
bill and asked that the contestant, B.
Frederick. be seated. This was done
two hours before the Congress expired
March 4. 1855. The Grant bill was then
unanimously passed. While Wilson
voluntarily retired. it was for special
purpose. and not because he felt that
his election was void.