Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-04-04

The majority Of the Committee on Priyi-
legeS and Elections under Mr.. Carpenter
lead had reported in favor of ordering a new
election in Louisiana under the direction Of
the Federal authorities. While the report
was illogical in Its cOnclusi0nS-ior it ad
mitted that the Mctnery government Is the
government de JurC in that State. which
would precludea new election under Federal
authority a. a new act of uSurpation-it
was at the same time remarkably fair and
candid in its statements Of facts. Ii de-
nouncei Judge Durell'S interference as
gross usurpati0n. a utterly subyer>lye OF
all constitutional principles. and the kel-
logg government a> a palpable fraud, with
out a shadow of legal existence. Mr.. Nor
ton dissented from the majority, and insist
ed upon the recognition Of the Kellogg gov
ernment fraud or no fraud, usurpation or
no usurpation. Mr.. Trumbull, according
TO the logic and the law of the ease, adj
yocated the recognition of the government
headed hy McEnery. The President sent
message to Congress inviting action IN
the case, and declaring at the same time
that he would continue to sustain Kellogg
unless otherwise instructed by Congress
one OF those demonstrations Of blind OBJ
stinacy 50 characteristic Of this administra-
ton This message and the threatening
news from Louisiana induced Mr.. Carpen-
ter to insist upon the immediate eonsldera-
ton of his report and bill. lie made very
brilliant speech in its defence, attacking the
Durell usurpation and Kellogg fraud, and
laundering at Mr.. Morton and that class Of
extreme partisans led by him in 50 effective
a style as to create the impression that some
good might possibly still come from Mr..
Carpenter. The debate lasted a whole day
and night and when finally vote was reach
ed, Mr.. Carpenter, in the face OF his brilliant
invectives, voted for an amendment ntroduc-
ed by hi, colleague, Mr.. Howe. by which the
same Kellogg government which he had de-
nounced as a fraud and usurpation with
such indignant eloquence was virtually rec
ognized. This tergiyerSation decided the
fate of the bill. The amendment was
adopted by Mr.. Carpenters vote, and the
bill lost the votes of those who would not
under any circumstance recognize the kel
logg government, and failed.
The debate revealed several interesting
things. There had been an impression that
Mr.. Morton was n little inclining to the
Liberal side. On this occasion he marched
out again under his old colors a. the advo-
cate Of the EXTREMIST and most reckless
partisan measures, and the champion of the
administration through thick and thin, and
Mr.. SclurL Saluted nm aS Such IN the
opening of his speech. Mr. Morton's status
may now be considered rs fixed for an in
definite time. Mr.. Conkling displayed him
Selfon the same side. and he may with
safety be classed in the same category. Mr..
Carpenter has sometimes good impulses,
and occasionally obeys them; but his intel
lectual vagarieS are such that many people
doubt whether he has any convictions; if
he has, he certainly does not stick to them
lie has shown himself capable of making a
brilliant speech, then voting against his
own argument. and having a good laugh
over it, Mr.. Edmunds distinguished him
self in the Louisiana debate by an earnest,
fearless, and very able speech in support of
the theory that, McEnery having, in point
of form, been legally elected, he was
priDla facie entitled to recognition by the
federal government under the Constitution.
Ii i rumored that the party managers are
very much dissatisfied with him, that they
begin to distrust him, and are going to
watch him. If Mr.. Edmunds is equally
distrustful to them, and vigilant in watch
ing them, he may render very valuable SER
vice to his country, and it is to be hoped
that he will We may now consider ii as
certain that Messrs. Morton and Conkling.
supported by Cameron, Chandler and Fre-
linghuysen. will WELD the party whip in
the Senate, and that Messrs. Edmunds.
Carpenter and Logan will occasionally re-
fuse to obey orders Washington Core
spondent Nelc York Nation.