New-York tribune., 1871-03-31
XLIID CONGRESS-IsT SESSION.
A REMARKABLE SCENE IN THE sRwATR--GAR.
RETT DAVIS "oN HIS MUSCLE n-THp
KU-KLUX BILL DISCUSSED IN TIE HOUSx
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL
WASHINGTON. Thursday March 30, 1877


doned property taken possession OF by the Government
since JAN l. 1885, IL was laid over FER future action.
The passage OF Mr. Wilson's One Hundred Dollar Bounty
bill reconsidered appearing that instead Of
soldiers to he be benefited by it, neqry would
come under ts provisions The bill h be modified TO
reduce its scope. Mr. Anthony resolution 10
allow the consideration OF any House bill
In reference TO the South, which has
been pending for week, finally passed. after char
acteristic harangue from Garrett Davis, which
eved Of its usual dullness by the indignation excited In
the Senate by an attack the memory Of Secretary
Stanton resolution OF Mr. Sherman nsructing the
Judiciary Committee, was then proceeded with, MI.
Davis still retaining the floor very remarkable
occurred during this speech, between Mr. Davis and
Gen. Batter. The latter into the Senate
Chamber and took q seat directly IN front of
tho speaker, whore be sat attentiyely listening
and watching him closely. Finally. Mr. Davis became
very much excited and in referring TO the reports Of Ku
Klux outrages, made some very personal remarks,
and actually shook hs fist In Cen Buffers face. His
excitement apparently overcoming him, Mr. Days ab
ruptly sat down, when, for what seemed long time to
the spectators the sat garng at each other like two
tigers until Mr. Davis became much enraged that he
could no longer restrain himself and jsmpiDg up "went
for" Gen. Butler IN the old fashioned Kentucky style.
calling him a "G--d d-d scOundrel," and repeating
the epthet several times Gen. Butler sat Ike statue,
never moving his eyes, and cooy requesting him to 80
on with his speech. Mt Wilson, evidently fearing hos
to that sde and endeavored to pacy him. at the same
time suoeesting to Gen. Butler that would be best for
him % withdraw The latter however, sat still until Mr.
Davis dropped eyes, and then quietly walked over TO
the Republican side. Afterward, IN discus
sion between Mr.. Morton and Mr. Blair, tho
latter asserted that the Southern peope hau' stef
the war; accepted the situatlon IN ood iatn' ID Ins
he was loudly applauded by the galleries despite Tho
reproof OF the Chair. MI. EdnuntS then P'oVo''ea
against converting the Senate into cockpit ana Dear
Il.
garden and gave notice that at tho ne1t OF
disorder In the galleries no would ipist ta' to onep
~ 80 rrosted and punished. The Senate, then, after
an Executive session. adjourned hH' fooi VI North
Carolina has the floor for tomorrow.
The debate in the House was opened' this morning.
with violent speech against the shenabarSer Dill oy
Mr. Beck Of Kentucky. This gentleman VINO reXrdod
as one OF the ablest members on the Democratic SIDE OF
the House by bis excited dcton his disregard OF aes
which have been proved beyond the possibility OF doubt
The contradictions into which he repeatedly te ana hs
startling assertions which he made drew around himself
most of the Democratic members and held the attention
OF not few Republicans Having attempted to show
that no witness, who had testified TO kuklux
outrages is worthy OF belief he admitted that disturb
ances have taken place in the professed TO
willing TO protect American citizens everywhere though
he evidently knew Of way to do IT, Theh launching ou
into general denuncation OF the Republican party,
and its acts made the absurd assertion that the bin
under consideration Is the result Of attempt Of the
Protectionts retain power IN Congress and in the
country Mr. Blair of MchiRan who followed Mr..
Beck, made strong argument In favor Of
the bill. The other speakers, to-day, were Fer
nando Wood and Mr.. Maynard. The debate
threw but little light ulon tho yexatiow
question Of how to law and order at the South
The speeches were Of the stump ortory STYLE except
that OF Mr. Blair who expressed the oubs felt by some
Conservative Republicans about the wisdom Of pilins
statute on statute the OF the Existing disorders
He had all along believed that the execution OF existing
laws was what was needed not more law. He had be-
eved the best thing to do to adjourn after provd
ing for full investigation OF the condition OF the South,
but as the President and the House thought otherwise
he would support the pending meaalre, the consttu.
tonaty OF which he ably defended The real debate
the merits necessity ,aand political effect OF the bin
Is to be heard, not in the speeches made upon
the floor, but In the conversations be-
tween members seated the sofas, the CLOAK
rooms gathered in groups about the hail. IN the lob
bies around the desk Of Speaker Blaine From the
discussions and comparisons Of views made In this way
1t easy to that strong attack will be made upon
the BILL in the shape OF amendments offered by Repubh
cans and that Mr. Shelabarger will find that the chief
danger to his measure will come In this and not
from the assaults Of the Democrats In the talk among
members to day, Illinois Republican said he was in
favor Of laying the whole bill on the table; another
said that he would move TO amend the
second section which. at present worded be
objected to because believed would give the Federal
Government the same Jurisdiction crimes COM
mtted in the States which has like crimes COM
mtted In territory under its exclusive control and
would make man in Arkansas liable to be tried In
u g. Court under penal enacted TO the Distrct
Of Columbia. An Ohio Republican said lie would ~
further than TO give the u g. Courts Jurisdiction on
where aggeved swore that he could NOT
get justice done him in the State Courts, by Of
prejudice against him account OF his class, color
political convictions and that he should oppose all Of
the sheabarger bill except the first section. Other Re-
nuh
fcatons Of the second, third and fourth sec>ns the
bill ought to pass; and still others contended
that the is not stringent enough, and that
troops used TO enforce law the expense Of maintain
ing them ought to be betrayed by forced requisons
upon the awess communities, and not added TO the
burdens OF loyal taxpayers The fate OF the numerous
amendments that will be offered next week will depend
upon the course Democrats decide to pursue II they
agree to vote against every proposition TO modify the
BILL with view OF securing its passage in shape 40
Objectionable to their party possible, 1t Is not proDape
that any amendments carry II on the contrary they
unite with the Conservative Republicans tho bill will 10
materially changed possibly deprived Of much OF s
force by the time it comes 10 q final vote
Gen. Butler in explanation OF the amendment he PRO
poses to offer the KuKlux BILL TO authorize the Prcs
dent to call out volunteers to enforce tho law In th'
same manner done In 1901 says that the bill as 70
ported by Mr. Shellabarger gives the President this
power although not in explicit terms The language Of
the bill is that "t shall be awfus for the President and
1t shall be his duty to take such measures. by the
ployment OF the militia the land and naval forces o
the United States Of either by other means as he
may deem necessary for the suppression OF such nsur
rection domestic yioeroe. eombinat On. And tue
phrase by other means" Gen. Butler thinks could no
interpreted give the President to enlist as many
volunteers ho might think necessary and he regards
1t as better TO put this grant OF authority In expc
terms instead Of In the rather vague language eiS
ployed in the bills