Speech #500010116

There was but one member of the committee that could swallowthis proposition. I shall not distnrb him in the painful process of digestion . but will pass to consider the proposition of the majority of the committee. which is that Mr. White~was not naturalized for seven years prior to March 4. 1887. and that on this ground his seat should be declared vacant and this great constituency left without a Representative on this flor. I submit that this House will not be swift to grant tllis request. that it will respect the voice of the majority of that district. and will retain the sitting member. unless the House. having due regard to its own honor and the law of the case. should find it impossible to do so. Now. thisproposition that Mr. White was not naturalized for seven years prior to March 4. 1887. he disputes. He alleges that he was naturalized more than twenty years prior to that time. I will briefly glance at the testimony. I insist that Mr. White has thoroughly established the proof of his claim. and I hope the House in investigating this case will honestly and fairly endeavor to ascertain whether Mr. White was really naturalized. not whether he can prove that fact in the technical form or in accordance with the narrow rule which some other tribunal may have laid down for the introduction of testimony before it. This Iouse is a law unto itself. it is clothed with plenary power. and not bound by the precedents of other tribunals. I thinkit proper to make this remark. although I believe and hope every fhirminded man will finally agree that Mr.