The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-08
Congressional.


Special TO the Commercial.
WASHINGTON, January 5.-Congress-
men have not returned in 4 very genial
mood from their holiday rest. The dis
closures in the Pacific Mail investigation
have not strengthened the faith OF the
Democrats in the Stainless integrity Of
their party, and the Republicans are
made uncomfortable both by the condi-
tion of affairs South. The consequence
is that both branches of Congress reas-
sembled to-day in i'll humor. In the
Senate the Louisiana situation was the
text for an old political field dav debate.
Partisan feeling was more strong and
the debate more heated and bitter than
at any time since the days before the
Cincinnati Convention, when the Senate
Chamber was the cauldron of the Liber-
al party.
The echo of the tread of Sheridan's
United States Senate Chamber to-day.
The debate proceeded.upon a technicali-
ty which served as a cover for the pur-
poses of the mover of the resolution.
Directly after the morning hour was
ended, Mr.. Thurman submitted a resolu-
tion requesting the President to com
municate to the Senate whether any por-
tion of the United STATES, or any officer
or soldier of the United States has in any
manner interfered or meddled with, or
sought TO control the organization of the
Legislature of Louisiana, IN either
branch thereof, on the 4th inst, especial
ly whether any persons claiming seats
have been deprived thereof by the inter
vention of the United States forces, and
if so, the President inform the Senate
by what law or authority of law such
intervention has taken place. Mr.. Conk-
ling suggested that in conforming to the
usage of the Senate Mr.. Thurman
should amend his resolution by adding
"if in his judgment not incompatible
with the public interests"
Upon these two propositions the de-
bate proceeded. There was and is no
doubt that the resolution will be adopted
with the amendment of Senator Morton
calling for full information as to the
character of the White League opera
tions. Senator Thurman wanted a polit-
ical debate. He must have been satisfi-
ed. Mr.. Thurman, introducing the res
olution, made severe attack upon the
President. The Republican Senators
came TO the Presidents rescue. If there
were my Republicans who did not full
ly indorse the proceedings in New Or
leans, yesterday, they kept silent. There
was little in Thurman's four speeches
save their extraordinary heat, which
caR not be found in the average opposi-
tion speech on Louisiana, and in the
press dispatches from New Orleans. His
speech was the old jingle about militia
ry despotism, strangled State. Federal
usurpation, and bayonet rule. The i'm
mediate proceedings of Yesterday in New
Orleans were used for, the purpose of
oratorical establishment, and were not
so much discussed at length on either
side, as the facts are not officially known.
Both parties went back to the causes of
the present condition of affairs in Louis
ana, and presented strictly partisan the
ories. The Republicans urged strongly
home upon the Democratic the fact of
the existence of spirit of rebellion in
Southern people, and determined dis
regard of the lives and rights of these
whom the amendments have clothed
with citizenship. The Democrats were
careful to avoid the discussion upon this
issue, by seeking to turn the debate.
The startling feature of the discussion
was the seriousness with which reference
was made to The possibility of another
civil war, Senator Salisbury proposed
to tear the robes from what he called
the Caesar of the American people if
that Caesar insisted upon wearing purple |
robes. This brought Senator Logan to
his feet, who reminded the Senate that
such utterances revived the memories of
the early days Of the rebellion, when
warlike expressions were frequent in the
Senate Chamber.
In the House the reference to the
possibility of a civil war were more di-
rect. Sunset Cox is responsible for the
discussion. He said he could not con-
sent to proceed with the regular business
while bayonets were throttling State
If you do not want new civil var you
must draw of your bayonets from Louis
ana and other States. Ben Butler re-
joined that he had once given peace in
Louisiana, and could do it again.
The debate in the Senate is likely to
continue tomorrow. Senators Bayard
and Hamilton are expected TO arrive to
assist Thurman.
CABINET ON LOUISIANA PROBLEM.
The Louisiana situation was consider
ed in the Cabinet to-day. 1t is known,
that so far as official advices have been
received, the election of the persons from
the State House was approved. One
member of the Cabinet Tonight says
that those five persons had no more
right there than any of the outside mob.
The President and Cabinet have under
consideration the propriety of sending to
Congress a special message upon Louis
lana. Several of the members Of the
Cabinet favor the abandonment of Kel-
logg and the passage of a law for new
election. Some are unwilling to further
support Kellogg without specific author-
ity from Congress. Sheridan's dispatch
about the White League has been re-
ceived here to might, and creates great
excitement.
DEMOCRATIC FILLIBUSTERING on CIVIL
RIGHTS BILL.
In the House the session was long,
tedious and fruitless. 1t developed two
facts-frst, that the Democrats will ac-
cept no compromise upon the Civil
Rights Bill, but will resort to every ex-
pedient of legialation and to all fllibus-
tering devices to prevent its passage
second, that the stubborn partisan oppo
sition of the Democrats is likely to so