Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-21
Forty.SecOnd COngress-First Session.
WASHINGTON, D. G., March 20.
SENATE


Senator Sprague presented, with few ap-
proprate remarks, a letter from Gov. Padetord
of Rhode Island, giving to congress, for the col
lection of statuary in the old hall of the house,
a statue of Roger Williams.
After the routine business Mr.. Bayard of Del
aware took the floor in opposition to the Sher-
man kuklu& resolution. His arguments covered
the points that the sole and only support pro-
duccd by Mr.. Sherman for his vague and whole
sale charges against the social condition of the
eleven southern states was anonymous news
paper cuttings; that, az to ten of these states,
there was not particle of testimony before the
senate, as the investigating committees laborS
were confined exclusively to North Carolina,
Senator Sherman had been compelled to except
Virginia, where democratic administration
has prevailed, and his only allegation in the case
of Kentucky has been Immediately refuted by
the senator from that state, Mr. Stevenson. The
logic OF this was, alter six long weary years,
unchecked, nntrammelled, congress had now
nothing left but to denounce the work of its
own hands, and admit its complete failure to
maintain republican governments throughout
eleven states. Was it not commentary upon
this 'that democratic Virginia should be pro-
claimed by her senator's here of opposite pol
itics to be entirely peacefulsand well ordered,
The base and malicious charge against Ken
lucky has been so effectually disposed of by her
senator, Mr.. Stevenson, that they would not be
likely TO be repeated, even by the senator from
Ohio. Notwithstanding that senator disclaimed
any intention TO create sensation, this speech
was the most outrageous vifcati)n of the
whole people ever uttered. The development of
the testimony taken by the investigation, con
fined to North Carolina, showed that persons,
arrested, for their politics, and without lawful
warrant, by the radical tools, Kirk and Bergen,
were most brutally treated; they were sus.
pended from trees, pistols pointed at them, and
their lives threatened, to make them confess
things of which they knew nothing. Not a sim
gle witness had charged the democracy with
encouraging theae outrages, but, on the con-
trary, radical witnesses had assisted to prove
that the best friends of law and order in the
state were to be found among the democracy.
He attributed the cause of lawlessness to at
tempts of the radical Governor Holden to con.
troll the politics of the state by force and his ap-
pointment of unfit men to office, thus compel
ling counter organizations, by men of property,
for self protection and safety, A secret oath
bound the organizations Of the state known as
the Union league, numbering $4,000 negroes.
He held that the same outrages which, when
happening in North Carolina excited so much
attention, would be comparatively dnheeded if
occurring elsewhere, and that the stories of dis
turbances there had been grossly exaggerated,
The federal government had no more justif-
cation for exercising police power in these cases
than in the case of the lynching of the Indiana
express robbers, coal operators combination,
and various outrages of robbng and murder in
the states of Massachusetts,, New York and else
where. There was more security for life and
property in North Carolina than in the city of
Washington.
The testimony had shown the supreme con-
troll welded by Governor Holden through negro
Union leagues, and one witness testified chat,
in conversation with Holden, the latter said be
had no doubt General Grant would continue
himself in the presidential chair, Mr.. Bayard
occupied three and half hours in his argument.
Mr.. Stewart, from the committeelon privileges
and elections, made a report which he ordered
printed, admitting Mr.. Goldthwaite Of Alabama,
and Mr. Blodgett of Georgia, as senators from
those states. The committee say they have
not had time to investigate the subject, and that
it would be unjust to keep those gentlemen from
their seats longer, and to deny their states rep
resentation. The committee therefore, recon-
mend their admission and their right to seats
shall remain subject to future investigation.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Thurman of the committee,
dssented from the recommendation as to Blod-
gett. The senate without action on the pending
resolution, went into executive session, and
soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Gen. Butler made the democrats repent this
morning for their objection to printing his bill
on the south, by persistenty refusing to allow
any bills coming from that side TO be printed.
Mr.. Morgan was subsequently anxious TO with
draw his objection to Mr.. Buffers bill, but the
latter declined any compromise.
At the close of the morning hour, Mr.. Dawes
moved to 20 10 business on the speakers table,
and the senate resolution for joint committee
was taken up.
MIR. Dawes was disposed to call the previous
question, but Messrs. Bingham, Butler and 9TH
ers asked for delay for debate in order that the
house might see what the senate would do on
the bill before them.
Gen. Butler advocated discussion as the best
means of ascertaining the condition of the
south.
Mr.. Morphis offered a dispatch from Gov.
Alcorn, of Mississippi, to the delegation from
that state, dated Friday, 17th which was read,
and in which the governor says: "The report
that the government of Mississippi is powcrless
to enforce the law finds no justification in the
fact that the riot occurred recently at Meridian.
II was promptly suppressed. The parties are
now undergoing legal investigation. Some
minor outrages have been committed in other
points on the Alabama border, in the night, by
parties in disguise. My only difficulty in these
cases is to discover the wrong doors, but that is
overcome, as confidently hope this government
is powerful to make them fear the consequences.
Save in these cases, Mississippi presents I'M
broken obedience and order"
The joint resolution of the senate, for a south
ern investigating committee, having been read,
Mr.. Dawes moved an amendment, a part OF
which was that the committee shall report
during the next or any subsequent session of
congress, and moved the previous question.
: Mr.. Bingham appealed TO Mr.. Dawes TO llet
the resolution lie over until it was seenkwhat the
senate wouldido on the billIbefore them.
Mr.. Dawes declined to acquiese, as lesisla-
ton by the senate was uncertain.
Mr.. Bingham said, if the gentleman persisted
in his motion, let republicans vote it down, so
there might be debate, in order that the coun-
try may understand the issue the gentleman
undertook to make up.