Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-30

the DAY with one of his best efforts. In the
house OF Repre- aentatives Mr.. ShellabarGer
reported from the select committe bill in
accordance with the Presidents message,
which was read twice, and Mr.. Sbellabarger
moved Its recommittal. He desired a general
debate and explained the bill at length. Mr.,
Kerr followed in reply. A general debate
followed until the adjournment.
The special Washington correspondence of
the Boston Advertiser of Tuesday SAYS: After
the reading of the Ku-Klux bill reported 70
the House by the special committee this morn
ing, the leaders on both sides of the House
announced the policy which would govern
themselves and friends in the debate just
beginning. The republicans disavowed any
purpose to limit the debate or to call the pre-
vious question as long as there is desire on
the other side to continue the discussion,
while the democrats agreed to resort to no
parliamentary tactics to prevent the passage
of the bill, or to prolong the session. Mr..
Shellabarger then opened the debate with an
explanation of the bill, and an able and ex-
haustive argument, proving the constitution
atty of each section of the bill and the right
conferred on Congress by the fourteenth
amendment to the Constitution to enact such
a law. Mr.. Kerr, who is generally conceded
to be the ablest constitutional lawyer on the
democratic side of the House, followed Mr..
Shellabarger, and made an analysis of the
fourteenth amendment to prove that it con-
ferred no new powers on the federal govern
ment, and claimed that the fourth section Of
the Constitution requires the President, when
the State governments are unable to preserve
peace, to go to their assistance when called
upon by the governor or legislature of the
State, and that this provision is itself sufficient
for all emergencies. He also argued that the
provision of the bill allowing the President to
suspend the writ Of habeas corpus is uncon-
stitutional, the new definition of the term
''rebelious" inserted in the bill in no way OBJ
waiting this difficulty. Mr.. Kerr then took
up and criticized seriatim the several sections
power conferred upon the President by the
third section. At three o'clock there seemed
to be little disposition to proceed. General
Stoughton, however, after some minutes de-
lay, took up the debate and made a strong
argument in favor of the proposed legislation,
after which the House adjourned.
San Domingo again occupied the whole
session the Senate to-day, although no such
crowded assembly listened to the debate a.
that assembled yesterday. The continuation
of Mr.. Howe's speech was simply an exami-
nation in detail of points in Mr.. Summers
resolutions, making the best possible showing
for the administration of tine facts of the case
as viewed from friendly standpoint. Mr..
Frelinghuysen brought out little that was new
bearing on the international aspects Of the
question involved, but made forcible appeal
for courtesy and kindness of treatment to the
President, citing his inestimable public SER
vices in the darkest hours of the nations his
tory, which ought to be shield against
carping criticism based on technicalities.
Mr.. Shurz began speech displaying q bril-
liancy and intellectual quickness the praises
of which are on all lips tonight. Frequently
interrupted by Messrs. Morton, Stewart and
Howe. he seemed to revel in their attempts to
disturb his argument, and met one after
another with prompt and apt rejoiners. He
showed that Mr.. Sumner had by no means
exhausted the capacity of the subject, and
himself brought forward many new points
which must have been obtained from mem
bers of the party freshly arrived from San
Domingo.