New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-19
XLIID CONGRESS-IsT SESSION

AN EXPLANATION FROM MIR. FENTON-ANOTIIER
DEBATE ON THE KJ-KLUX BILL IN THE SEN
ATE-TIIE CONFERENCE REPORT ADOPTED
ANOTHER CONFERENCE ASKED ON TIE DE-
FICIENCY BILL-No ACTION TAKEN Br THE
HOUSE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSRl
WASHINGTON, Tuesday. April ~, 1871.
Mr. Fenton's personal explanation Of the charges con-
Meeting his with the treaohery Of Winans, was re-
ceived with pleasure all sides today and conceded
TO be one the Senator's best efforts lie has been re-
peatedy assured however, that IL unnecessary, as
nobody believed the charges as the malignant annus OF
them was too patent deceive any The additional
assertion that Senator Fenton has for long time past
been practically acting with the Democrats, causes al
most as much establishment here tonight as the charges
printed Yesterday, and il emphaticaly denied Mr.
Fenton denounced as false every charge made yesterday
and ad that they were made In the interest OF those
who are endeayoring divide the Republican party In
New-York state. Mr.. Blair who thinks he has dlscoV-
cred something striking IN connection with the tai Oh
tho Yerger case, before the supreme COURT
was very anxious for the passage OF
his resolution calling on the Attorney General Tor copy
of some imaginary stipuatons entered INTO by te uo'
ernment and Yergers counsel but the Senate dld not
seem 10 think Il necessary TO Oblige Mr. Blair Inc us
cusson on his motion interrupted by the SupSson
of the Conference Report on the ku-hluN Dill Inc
Democratic refused TO sign the report anu o
iectionabe TO them than the original Senate amehu
ments Mr.. Edmunds intimated that the CommltSo
were OF the belief that the report would meet the views
NJ the mnority but tho minority are resolved 10 DO
pleased with nothing and hence they debated INC IePoi
all day to empty galleries The rather amusing speci
Gle was presented, during the debate, OF Garrett Da'S
and Casserly being on the moor at thc 9"ii'
time telling each other what mOnstrous usurpaton the
bin WAS and with not solitary listener except the uh
for Nyl
Trumbu was quite "a decided in his opposition az inc
Democrats To facilitate business the Ku kluN report
WA laid aside after some hours discussion and the Con
ference report the Deficiency Appropriation OH was
submitted 1t was, however, soon apparent tha' al
eaually long discussion would ensue on II, and lere
fore the consideration Of the KuKlux bill was resumed
At $50 the Senate took until $780, with the notoe
from Mr. Edmunds that vote on concurrh8 III tho
report must be taken before adjournment.
Al the evening session Of the Senate the Denocra'c
arguments against the KuKlux bill we're continued W
Messrs Davis and Bayard The former accused senator's
of being unduly influenced by Executive patronage, anu
said half dozen Senators were now waiting to step INTO
the shoes Of ChiefJustce Chase. Mr. Morton Thought
there was no necessity for alarm at the Democratic
denunciations OF the bill for every measure passed
during the Rebellion, to preserve the integrity OF
the Union. and every measure taken since 10
secure the results established by the war; had Deeh de
cared unconstitutional by the Democratic party. Inc
conference report cOncurred in by 81 10 TO- ssrs'
spra0ue and schurz voting with the Democrats Mr..
Frnghuysen declined to vote, because he regarded inc
Sherman amendment unconstitutional. Mr. Trlmbul,
who would have voted against the report was paired
This being disposed Of the conference report on the
Deficiency Appropriation bill was again taken
up Mr.. Bayard uttered paintiye lament
that the President had not sent In the
names of any Democrats for the inew District OF
Columbia Territorial appointments Much opposition
Sorrr orig
reasons provisions in relation to the Southern Claims
Commission meeting the most opposition After much
discussion the conference report rejected by tie
vote and the Senate at 1880 p H.. went into Executive
5 ession and then adjourned.
The flood Of talk in the Senate on the KuKlux bill
prevented either OF tho Conference Committee reports
from reaching the House to-day and that body went
to the Speakers table. after an hours acrimonious
debate on the Cox "Revcnue Reform resolution, during
which Cox Nback and others made speeches for Bun
combe" MI Kelley rs y radical and Mr.. Coburn as
moderate PrOecOnist in short speeches, drew the IRE
OF Cox and his friends, and showed up their purpose
Early In the session, Gen. Butler asked permission to
make Lis long expected personal explanation,
but to this Mr.. Beck of Kentucky oNcitedly
objected, saying that he did not propose to allow
the gentleman from Massachusetts To make an
explanation while his (Beck's) state was under
indictment. Gen. Butler exhibited much surprise at
Becks objection, but made reply. He afterward
gagged in an excited conversation. The Speakers table
was cleared OF Senate bills, all Of which, with one or
two exceptions were passed, there being very few OBJ
jectionabe measures among them. At o'clock, there
being prospect Of hearing from the Senate the House
took recess till 10. O'Clock tomorrow morning. As the
Senate will probably sustain the report of the Confer
ence Committee in regard TO the sherman amendment
to the Eu-Klux bill, and as the House viii surely not
agree to it, conference will probably be necessary
and several days may yet pass before the final adjourn
ment.
The greatest objection the Sherman amendment TO
the Ku-Kux bill seems now 10 be constitutional one,
and many the lawyers of the House and Senate have
been searching the books to-day, for information on this
subject II generally agreed that, If the Constitution
gives to Congress power authorize the damages done
by the Ku Kux to assessed the counties in which
the ourages are committed it is given in those sections
which confer the power TO levy taxes These provide
direct taxes must be assessed on all states alike In
proportion to the number of inhabitants each State by
the census and that imports and duties shall be
levied at uniform all the country Now, it is
argued that If the Constitution contemplated any other
kinds OF taxes besides these two, they may be levied
without being either per capita or pro rata Numerous
decisions are quoted to show that the power TO levy
other taxes granted to Congress by the Constitution
and that the sherman amendment Is therefore defen-
sible.
REGULAR REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE. WASHINGTON, April Is, ISL
An UNJUST CHARGE REFUTED.
Mr.. FENTON Rep., n. ", obtaining unani-
nous consent to make personal explanaton to the
Clerk and had read article from The Washington Re
publican Of this morning embodying extract from
The Netc York Times, charging him with completely In
the reported treachery of Mr. Wnans of the NewYork
LEGISLATURE