Mr. laItNSWOltTH. Mr. Speaker, it is my custom, so far as I can, in all these election cases to understand them before I vote. It seems to me to be the duty of every member of the House, when he comes to act as judge under his oath in deciding between 2 men, both claiming seats upon this floor, to understand the case. I am not willing myself ordinarily, thoughIhave great respect for the committee of elections and for its able chairman, to shelter myself behind the report of that committee without some examination and an effort to come to acorrect conclusion on in own part. With that view, I have devote what time I could to the investigation of this case. I have read the majority and minority reports, and the tes iniony referred to in them. It seems, Mr. Speaker, that the 8th congressional district of NewYork is a Democratic district, I fear hopelessly so. There is noquestion about that. If any man wili examine t a vote given at the election of 1864 he will I am not complaining or I am only stating; come to the conclusion that there is a very large majority in that district against my party. There were 3 candidates running, the sit ting member, Mr. Brooks, the Tammany Hall Democrat, Mr. Barr, and the Republican can didate, Mr. Dodge. Mr. Brooks obtained the certificate that he had received a plurality of the votes, being 148 more than Mr. Dodge, who received the next highest vote. Mr. Barr received 4 or 5,000 votes. I do not remember the exact number. It is claimed that there was fraud practiced in preparing the register of one of the election districts in this cengressional district, and that incompetent and illegal votes were iolled in another voting precinct. The committee diseard as unsustained the allegations against the other voting district and confine themselves in their report to the 15th district of the 18th ward and the 7th district of the 21st ward. Now, sir, it is nowhere claimed, or if claimed it is not proven, as I can understand, and if I am incorrect I wish some member of the committee would correct nie there is no proof whatever bringing home to Mr. Brooks any fraud or corruption at.either of those polls. It is not shown that he had any knowledgeof or participation in any frauds. It is not shown y any of the evidence that he used any money to carry the election. I believe I am correct in this. Then, so far as he is individually concerned, his skirts are clear from any imputation of fraud or other corrupt practices. So far, so good, then. On the other hand, it is proven in this case that Mr. Dodge paid Mr. Barr $2, 0Q0 to run.