The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-10-15

l also desire to thank the members
OF this house for the uniform courtesy
ard evidences of respect which | have
received during the eight years of my
service in Congress. | have formed
friendships here upon both sides of the
chamber which shall cherish through
lie. | fully appreciate the high char
acter of the men who compose this
body but it is only when | am about
to leave that | fully realize the dis
tnguished honor it is to observe as a
member of the greatest legislative
body on the face of the globe. Wish
ing you all a happy and prosperous fu-
tnre | will say good-by. cloud gen
cral applause.)
Mr.. Speaker: | will ask the chair
man of the committee, if he is ready
10 present the usual resolutions in 4
case of this kind.
Mr.. Olmstead: Mr.. Speaker, had
risen for different purpose. AS chair
man of the committee which has had
this case in charge, it seems to be
proper and becoming say few
words
1.-The Speaker: The gentleman pro
ceeds by unanimous consent. Is there
objection? CATER IL pause.) The chair
hears none.
Mr., Olmstead: When this case
once apparent that it would depend
largely upon the result of the eXami-
nation of several thousand sealed bal
lots, concerning which the contestants
made certain allegations of irregular
iiy.
THE contestee. Mr.. Shafroth, at
once stated that he did not believe
that the ballots would disclose such a
state of affairs. but that if they did
he should decline the seat and at once
acknowledge the fact.
"Thereupon the investigation of the
BALLOTS proceeded, as he has stated, by
subcommittee and by the handwrit-
ing expert employed under authority
conferred by the house.
THE reports of the subcommittee
ard of the expert were received by
the full committee and, by resolution,
submitted for one week to Mr.. Sha-
T: 9th for examination and comparison
by himself d his counsel. He had
not consumed the time allotted for his
examination of them, and no member
Of the committee, | think. was aware
that he was about TO make the state
ment he has just made until just before
The house assembled this morning.
when he mentioned his intention to
me.
Il think ii is due to him to say that
there was not in the notice of contest
nor in the entire record any charge
whatever in any way reflecting upon
his honor or his propriety of conduct
throughout the campaign. Indeed, the
contestant expressly admitted before
the committee that he had no allega
ton whatever to make against Mr.
Shafroth, but that he believed his con
duct to have been entirely proper and
fair. | can only add, therefore. that
there is nothing in the record in this
Case reflecting in the slightest degree
upon the personal character or con
duct of Mr.. Shafroth. (Applause.)
"On the other hand. it appears that
the irregularity. while ii carried his
Tote along with it. was not made for
his special benefit; that the irregular
oction was not made with any special
reference to him, but his vote was
simply an incident because his name
';as upon the ballots. | desire. Mr.
speaker. to say that his retirement
from this body, like his entire course
during his membership. is in entire ac'
cord with the gentleman's high sense
of honor, with which all present who
know him or have come in contact
with him. officially or otherwise, know
him TO entertain at all times and to be
governed by. (Applause) The cleo
tons committee has had no official
knowledge of the action of Mr.. Shat
roth this morning. and | do not feel
without the action of the committee in
that behalf. | will ask unanimous
consent that Mr.. Bonynge be now
sworn in as a member of this house.
Mr.. Payne: Mr. Speaker do not
think that that would be proper with
out resolution fro mthe committee.
Mr.. Shafroth: Mr.. Speaker, | think
The gentleman can ask unanimous con
sent to pass the resolution. 1t is per
fectly proper TO do that
MIR. Talbot Mr.. Speaker, | ask
unanimous consent to make a state
rent in connection with this case.
THE Speaker: The gentleman from
Maryland asks unanimous consent to
rlake statement. Is there. objec'
ton?
"Crhere was no objection.)
MIR. Talbot: Mr.. Speaker. ! wish
I" add to the statement of the chair.
man of the committee on elections No
has made, this fact, speaking as the
leading member of the minority on
That committee. that Mr.. Shafroth took