The Washington times., 1924-04-11
DEMOCRATS ARE
HAPPY OVER
VICTORY
Cong. Bloom Wins Contest for
Seat in House With Aid
of Progressives.

Democrats are jubilant today
over yesterdays victory when they
prevented the unseating Of Con-
gresham Sol Bloom (Dem.) of
New York whose place was con-
tested by Walter M. Chandler,
Republican and former Member
Of the House. There were 210
votes for Mr.. Blooms retention
and 1913 for Mr.. Chandler.
Status Permanent.
At the end Of the contest, Repre-
sentative Garrett Of Tennessee,
minority leader. executed parlia-
mentary maneuver which will pre-
went the question: of Mr.. blooms
eligibility being raised again in this
Congress.
Extraordinary interest was taken
in the Bloom Chandler contest, be
cause on its outcome depended the
political complexion OF the New
York State delegation. Haw Chandler
replaced Bloom, there would have
been a majority of one Republican
instead Of majority Of one Demo
crat. The Importance of the ma
Jortty Of the delegation would he
felt II the Presidential election were
thrown into the House, as each
State in that event would have only
one vote and that vote would be
determined by the majority.
Party Round-Ups
Party leaders on both sides Of
the chamber corralled stheir mem
bers in face Of indications that the
outcome would hinge on a few
votes. Democrats watched to see II
Representatives Zihlman Of Mary
land and Langley Of Kentucky,
Republicans, who are under inves.
tigation by a House committee,
voted. But neither did.
Every Democrat who voted cast
his vote for Mr.. Bloom. In the Re-
publican ranks Congressman Beck,
Nelson, Schafer, Schneider, and
Peavey of Wisconsin, CongreSs.
woman Mrs. Nolan of California. and
Congressman Keller Of Minnesota
left their leadership and voted for
Bloom also. Congressman Kvale,
Independent, and Congressman We
fald. Farmer.Labor, both Of Mime
sofa, voted with the Democrats.
Congressman who voted presen:
were Berger, Socialist, Wisconsin;
Lineberger, Republican, California:
Patterson, Republican, New Jersey;
Roach, Republican. Missouri. and
Bloom.
When Congressman Longworth,
leader, saw the Democrats
were about TO win on a standing
vote on their substitute resolution
declaring. Bloom to have been
elected. he demanded a roll call.
The result was 21O votes for Bloom
and 1913 for Chandler.
The resolution, as amended, passed
by a vote Of 200 to 1913. Mr.. Gar
rett at the last minute having
changed his vote from Bloom to
that he might move a
had Chandler won.
When the result was announced
Garrett moved a reconsideration and
that his motion be placed on the
table. His motion was out Of order
because he had voted with the min
ority, but Congressman Crisp, Demo-
crat, OF, Georgia, repeated the motion
OF his own account, and It carried.
There were cheers, even yells, from
the Democratic side Of the chamber
as the effect of the sudden parIia-
mentary maneuver was realized.
Both Applauded.
Both Bloom and Chandler ad.
dressed the House and each was
wildly applauded by the members
of his party.
eff I thought for one moment
I was not entitled to my seat in
the House would break all speed
records going out the door," ex-
claimed Bloom.
II have examined every BIT of
evidence in this case. It Is the
most inconsistent, illogical thing
have ever read. There Is no doubt
In my mind that I was elected.
was elected on the face of the re-
turns in the initial count. Twb
recounts accorded me reelection.
Now I am up for reelection for the
fourth time"
Addressing the Republican side of
the House, he said: you have no
right to steal my seat. I am en-
titled to 1t under the law and the
evidence. now leave the matter
In your hands,"
Pleading his cause in long
speech in which he reviewed the
election and the evidence offered in
support Of his contest, Chandler in
sisted the House should unseat
Bloom and that he should be de-
"lared to have been legally elected.
We said there had been frregulari.
ties in several of the precincts.
Il do not want you to steal this
7eat from Bloom" he said. "I do
not want you to let Tammany Hall
steal 1t from me-"
Aided BY Nelson.
Representative Nelson, Of Wiscon.
ain, leader Of the Progressive Re-
Nublicans in the House and a men,
her of the Elections Committed.
made plea for the seating Of
Bloom, but failed to rally all the
orogressives Of his party.
Mr.. Nelson referred to the posi-
bility of the Presidential election
Neing thrown into the House and
he effect today's action would have
n such an event.
while this political exigency has
been whispered about in the cloak.
rooms and throughout the corridors, I"
"e said, 1T do not believe any such
'gnoble motive is the primary
cause Of this partisan contest. To
unseat a duly elected member of
Congress to get control Of a State
delegation so as to elect President
would be bold and hazardous to
the nth degree. The end would not
Justify the means"