The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-16
With Simple Dignity
Shafroth Yields Place.
The ACT VOLUNTARY
! Was Not Aware of this Fraud Until
the Evidence Was kdduced
Before the House EIec-
tons Committee,
He SAYS.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c. Feb. 15-In volun-
tarily relinquishing his seat as mem
Der of the House of Representatives, Mi.
Shafroth (Dem.), of the First district OF
Colorado, furnished a profound sensation
during the forty-minutes session today
The manly and earnest words of the Colo
RADIO member fairly took the breath OF
the House as he proceeded to put the
first case on record in that body where
a member gave up his seat, acknowledge
lug that his election had been tainted
b. fraud For this fraud, Mr. Shafrorh
declared, he was not in any way RESPONSE
bic. nor was he aware that it had been
peIretrated until the evidence had been
adcucd before the Elections Committee
of the House. 1t was not done, he said,
further, for the purpose of causing his
election.
Mr. Shafroth in his statement to the
House said that investigation showed
fraud in twenty-nine precincts. He did
not believe the number OF illegal votes
WAS in excess of his plurality but he said
the tainted polls gave him a ght alter plu-
raiity than returned. The law was that
when a poll is tainted by fraud and it
is impossible to purge the poll of the
fraudulent votes the vote of the entire
precinct must be thrown out. Mr.. Shat
,cth said his inspection of the ballots con-
vlrced him it was impossible to separate
the illegal vote, and if he were judge
on the bench he w3afd be compelled to
fEd against himself.
AS he announced the conclusion OF eigs.t
years service his voide betokene6 The
emotion he felt. The hush when spread
over the floor and galleris when the puT-
pert OF his remarks was realized be-
camc almost painful But when he sat
down with words of thanks on his hips.
for the treatment ne had received from
his colleagues on, looth sides of the cham
ber applause burst forth and continued
lcLg and heartily. The Democratic mem
bers arose almost enmasse and surrounded
his seat to extend personal expressions of
sympathy and encouragement.
Mr.. Cjlmstead, chairman of the commit
tee iM charge of the contest, recognized
the unusual position Mr. Shafroth had ta-
kin He said the investigation by his
COMMITTEE, exonerated Mr.. Shafroth from
any connection with the Irregularities
which had been shown. The stand taken
he said, was a most manly and courageous
ol9.
Following the suggestion of Mr.. Shat
roth In his speech to the House. Mr. Olin-
ste1 hastily drew up the proper reso-
luton for his unseating and the seating
o: Mr.. Bonyge, and this was agreed to
With silent assent
Secretary James Wilson, of the Agricul-
tutal Department relinquished i seat in
the House to a contestant on the last day
oil the session in order that tie bill 20
make General Grant a full genera! on the
retired list might be passed. Samuel J.
Randall brought in a bill for General
Grant, but the Democrats who were In
the majority insisted that there should be
a vote on the contest against Wilson. The
Republicans were filibustering against
sCcl, a vote being taken but Mr.. Wilson
got UP and stated that he did not want
to stand in the way of the Grand bill and
asked that the contestant be seated. This
was done and the Grant bill was unani-
mcusly passed.