The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-05-09
DEFEAT FOR TINKHAM
With HOUSE IN UPROAR
Massachusetts, Representative Makes
Demand for Immediate Con-
sideration of Resolution
Affecting Rights of Negro
Voters in South

Washington, May Rising to a
question of the highest constitutions
al privilege, Representative Tink-
ham, Republican, Massachusetts
threw the house into an uproar to-
day over a demand for immediate
consideration of a resolution affect
ing the rights of negro voters in the
South. o..
The battle mainly. along patlia-
mentary lines, ragged for two hours,
but in the end the proposal was re-
jected on a point of order by Repre-
sentative Mondell, Republican lead
err. Still determined to press the
fight, Mr.. Tinkham appealed from
! Speaker Gillette's decision sustain
ing the point of order but the house
stood by 2S5 to 46. The Tinkham
resolution, substantially the same as
that presented during consideration
of the reapportionment bill at the
last session, had been expected and
Democrats were ready to jump into
the fray. The Republican leader
went to the front;however, and won
the day alone.
AS framed by the Massachusetts
member the resolution would have
directed the census committee to
proceed forthwith to make diligent
inquiry respecting the extent Of
which the right to vote is denied or
abridged to citizens of the United
States, prior to preparation of a bill
for reapportionment Of the house.
In the course Of a long argument
Mr.. Tinkham declared the resolu-
ton was in order ahead of all bust
ness, that the measure offered be-
fore was never reported out by COM
mittee, and that if referred again it
would meet the same fate. He de-
manded immediate action a proceed
ing which Mr.. Mondell' opposed on
the ground that if the Tinkham plan
should prevail members could come
in any day with other complaints
against enforcement of prohibition
under the 18th amendment and thus
upset the regular business Of the
body.
The only Democrat to break in
during the debate was Represents
tive Gallivan, Massachusetts, who
wanted to know how long MI. Tink-
ham expected to speak.
81 want to vote with him but if
he talks too long he may lose q
VOTE" Mr.. Gallivan shouted and the
house roared.
Representative Garrett, Tenbes-
see, acting Dmocratic leader. sought
recognition as Mr.. Mondell conclud-
ed his answering argument, but
Speaker Gillett, said he Was ready
to rule. This was accepted as con-
elusive ven before the speaker be-
gan a long statement, that the Tink-
ham plan had failed.
It was largely on demand of MI,
Garrett that the house voted on a
straight out question Of sustaining
the chair, rather than On a substi-
tute by Mr., Mondell to table the
Tinkham appeal. This settled the
issue definitely so far as action at
this session goes. Members said later
the Gillett decision probably would
stand longer than the lifetime of the
average representative.
Mr.. Mondell, in quoting authori-
ties, recalled that a Republican
house 20 years ago refused to rush
through a similar proposal. He de-
clared the Tinkham resolution was
precisely the same in form as that
offered by Representative Olmstsad
of Pennsylvania in 1901 and thr,wn
out on a point Of order with Speak.
er Henderson in the chair.