The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-10-17
MORTON ON THURMAN.
The Ohio DemOc, attic Senator's False Ac.
cusatiOn-An Able VintlicatiOn.

MORTON On THURMAN.
The Ohio Democ, attic Senator's False Ac-
cusation-An Able Vintlication.
[From the New York Times]
Senator Morton, of Indiana, by invi-
tation of the Ohio Republican State
Committee, spoke in Dayton On Thurs
day night last, and in the opening of
his speech took occasion to re-
ply to Senator Thurman's accusation,
in a speech resently made in Waverly,
Ohio, in relation to his action on the
salary grab question. Mr.. Morton said:
"Senator Thurman, in the opening of
the campaign, thought proper to make
a personal attack on ME, stating that
by my vote 1 aided in increasing the
salaries of the Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress. 1 thought that rather
small business for Senator Thurman. l
thought he had better leave that to
Democratic newspapers, which are
more accustomed to that sort of thing.
He no sooner opened his mouth than he
put his foot in it. You may think that
a very strong statement, but I
viii tell you how he did it. must
read you an extract from that speech. !"
He read that relating to Edmunds' test
vote. The paragraph was as follows:
"When it came to the Senate. there was
test vote on the amendment made by Mr..
Edmunds. Of Vermont, and that vote was to
strike off all the House amendment. except 70
much as related to the Presidents salary. II
that amendment had prevailed. and therest OF
the resolution agreed to, the whole effect
would have been to raise the Presidents sala-
ry, and not a single member of Congress
would have received additional pay. This was
the test vote. That motion, if it had pre-
vailed. could not have been called salary
grab, except so far as the President was con-
cerned. 1t limited the amount Of the grab
from a million and half to one hundred thou
sand dollars. and very cheerfully, although
opposed to raising the Presidents salary,
voted for that. thought if the people had
to pay it ont Of their pockets, it is better to
pay only one hundred thousand dollars than
million and half. And i'll that vote. which
was the test vote, where was Gov. Morton
found Why, gentlemen, among the knaves
that is. among those who voted against the
amendment. and who voted to keep the salary
grab i'll the bill
"The language of Mr.. Thurman is
conclusive. 1t is very strong it leaves
no room for qualification it leaves no
room for explanation. 1t precludes any
idea other than that l was absolutely
wrong, and on the wrong side. will
tell you simply the history of the mat
ter, and will be borne out in my state
ments by the record Of the Congress
sional GloJe. When the Appropriation
bill came up to the Senate from the
House, it is here that Mr.. Edmunds did
make motion to strike ont the amend
ment tackled ON it by the House, to in
crease the salaries Of the Judges
of the Supreme Court, the heads of de-
partments, Senators aud Representa-
tives in Congress, and clerks, leaving
only the increase Of the salary of the
President of the United States. Sena-
tor Thurman calls that test vote. That
amendment. had it been carried, would
have prevented any increase OF the sala-
ries of the Judges of the Supreme
Court, heads of departments, and clerks,
whom every one thought were made
quately paid for their services. Every
one who was in favor of increasing the
salary of the Supreme Judges, heads OF
departments, and clerks, could not vote
for that amendment, therefore 1t was
not test vote. | voted no. lmme-
diately, as soon as the vote was an
nounced, / rose to my feet and made n
motion to amend to strike out that part
of the amendment to the bill which
would increase the salary OF Senators
and Representatives. l made a test
question. 1t wns q test question, and
it was the only one that was made. l
spoke earnestly in favor of it. After
| that several Senators came to me and
asked to l,t the whole matter go to a
conference committee. | will not say
positively, but my memory IS distinct,
| that Senator Thurman was among those
Senators. supposed that The confer
ence committee would expunge from
the bill that part which related to the
increase of the salary of Senators and
members of the House. Accordingly, l
rose in my place and withdrew my
amendment, that the bill might go to
the conference committee. Mr.. Ed
munds Immediately rose to his feet and
said: Irenew the motion of the Scna'
tor from Indiana, and demand the yeas
and nays voted for it, for that was
my idea. 1t was just what l wanted.
voted in favor it, and my vote is record
ed in the Congressional GLOBE. Sena
tor Thurman was present at the time
1 say that in making this charge upor
me he was mistaken. Thenext time hi
makes an assault against fellow Sen
ator, he should be careful and look t.
his facts.
Gov. Morton then proceeded to re
view the speeches of MIR. Thurman an'
Mr.. Allen, taking up the points III thos
speeches seriatim, and to the satisfac
ton of the assembly, as was testified b.
the frequent applause. He gave tn
history of the Credit Mobilier, and vim
dicated the aspersed character of Attor
ney- General Williams, asking Senate
Thurman why he did not demand an in
yestigation into the matter during tn
last session of Congress, and calling
, upon him to repeat that part of hi
, speech which referred to Attorney Gen
eral Williams in the next session @
Congress and demand an explanation
He (Morton) would vote for it, an
, Thurman should be put on the commit
tee He denied the accusation c
fragrant corruption in the iudicis
affairs of Arkansas and North Caroline
, In this connection Senator Morton rea
r the following dispatch from Attorne.
3 General Williams:
OFFICE OF THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 1913. !
Senator Thurman's statements i'll his Wave
" speech are untrue and unj just to the depar
9 ment and it's officers. He speaks of large e
pepditures in Arkansas North Carolina al
Florida. The Indian country is attached
q the Western District of Arkansas. Prlsone
and witnesses are often conveyed 500 miles
court. There were l43 convictions in 1877
Senator Thurman said that there had IL
-. a aorrictinn of q Kn-KluX reportcd