It was a historic moment, although it was hard to tell from the behavior of those involved. House Democrats cheered and mockingly waved their handkerchiefs as their Republican colleagues paraded up the center aisle of the chamber and out the door. When the G.O.P. members passed by, Democrats laughed and shook their hands.
Many involved hoped the dramatic walkout signaled the end of the bitter battle over "the bloody Eighth," the Indiana district whose tempestuously disputed seat was finally awarded to Democrat Frank McCloskey by the House last week. After a careful recount monitored by two Democrats and one Republican, McCloskey...