The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-20


mander-in-Chiefw which he constitution
ally possesses, and that it is not meant
to do SO. Nevertheless, 1t is very de-
sirable, but unlikely, that this part OF
the bill will be changed.
The An.NiEht session of the United
states Senate last Saturday Night
Scenes and Incidents OF the Oeca-
siOn---HOW Ih0 Democrats Failed TO
weary Out their Opponents
Fron the Washington %. O. Chronicle.
The important debate upon the bill
to provide for the more efficient gov
ernment of the rebel States attracted
crowds to the Senate chamber last week.
The climax of the debate as well as OF
the public interest in it eliminated on
Saturday evening. 1t was understood
that the Republican members of the
Senate would refuse to adjourn until
they reached a vote upon the bill. In
the early part of the evening the Senate
galleries were well filled, and the large
audience remained intact until very
late hour. After midnight, however, a
large number retired, but even then,
and until the adjournment of the Sem
ate on Sunday morning, a respectable
audience remained. The interest and
the curiosity of the auditors seemed to
be aroused soon after midnight, and
became more intensified every hour
sition upon the part of the Democratic
members of the Senate to fillibuster by
calling for the yeas and nays upon
every motion, and to speak against
time with a view to delay final vote.
One by one the Democrats gained the
door and discussed the entire question
of reconstruction, may of them COM
mencing with the period of the
rebellion itself and ending with
the future glory of the Republic
which shall be revealed when "my
policy" becomes popular and the De-
power. The leader on the Democratic
side of the House, the Hon. Reverdy
johnson, of Maryland, retired rather
early, and the honors.of opposing the
substitute for Mr.. Stevens bill, propos-
ed by Senator Sherman, were equally
divided between Senators Hendricks,
Doolittle, Cowan, Davis, Buckalew,
Some of these gentlemen contented
themselves with single speech of
moderate length, while others repeated
themselves several times. 1t seemed
to be understood among the opposition
that each member should speak as long
as possible, and tell the country all he
knew upon this important question,
and that they should relieve each other
by turns. Mr.. Salisbury led off and
Messrs. Davis, Cowan and Buck
alew next gave their views.
At two o'clock on Sunday morning, Mr..
salisbury again obtained the floor and
made an able plea for the sancity of
the Sabbath, concluding with motion
to adjourn; but the implacable Radi-
Gals, recognizing the fact that the Sab
bath was made for man and not man
for the Sabbath, and that
accomplishment of IA work of
paramount importance, refused to
adjourn without vote upon the bill.
The Democrats, doubtless foreseeing
the ultimate result, determined to sell
the victory as dearly as possible, and
seemed to take delight in keeping the
Republicans out of their beds. When
the result of the motion to adjourn be-
came known, Mr. Hendricks immedi-
ately took the floor, and the Republi-
cans seemed as patient as ever. The
people in the galleries began to give
signs of fatigue, and not few of them
fixed themselves in comfortable posi-
railroad car who were starting on long
journey. They seemed to feel that,
Notwithstanding the gloomy predictions
of Mr.. Hendricks should the bill become
law, the country was, for the present
at least, comparatively safe, safe enough
to warrant them in indulging in little
sleep. When Mr.. Hendricks became
exhausted Mr.. Buckalew came to the
rescue, rushing into the breach with an
ardor worthy of better cause. So
much inspired was he with the impor-
tqnce of the occasion that, contrary to
his usual custom, he spoke entirely eX-
tempore. After him came Mr.. Cowan,
who talked for an hour or more to the
Indifferent Republican Senators and
the listless sleepers in the galleries.
Before he had concluded, it was OBJ.
served that Garrett Davis was prepar-
ing to follow. He was turning over
some manuscript upon his desk, and
eagerly searching into some authori-
ties, When he obtained the floor, the
drowsy people In the galleries yawned
more necessarily, and those OF them
who were yet awake prepared to follow
the example OF their more philosophic
neighbors, who were already asleep.
a few Senators laid themselves down
upon the sofas in order to obtain lew
moments of repose. Even the gentle
men who occapy the reporters gallery
seemed to have abandoned hope, and
set about the work of making them
selves comfortable for the remainder of
the night. Mr. Davis was followed by
Mr.. McDougall, and SO on till the end
of the programme. The Republican
column was unbroken; its members
stood as firm asa rock, but there was
no speaking among them At last,
tired out and seeing opposition useless,
the Democrats ceased to speak, and at
half-past six o'clock the vote was
taken, to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned.
The Prevailing Commercial Depres-
--a... zss sion.
Fromthe Ne1O York Financial and COn1n1er-
eial Chronicle.
Complaints are universal of the stag
nation and the unproftableness of bu-
ness. a spring season SO depressed and
generally unsatisfactory as the present