The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-07-27
The Democrats got pretty well skinned
in the United States Senate one day last
week Here is a condensed report:
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.

MIR thurman, 10 recommit the bill to the Com
mittee on Appropriations, with instructions 10
report a bill reducing the aggregate amount Tor
the Improvement OF rivers and harbors TO
sum not TO exceed four million dollars.
Mr.. MERRIMON (Dem.,l of n. G., made a
speech defending the House from the imputa-
tions thrown out yesterday by several sena-
tors, that the bill was framed in such a way as
to secure the expenditure of money in doubtful
districts TO secure them TO that party. He
showed where large sums had been appropria-
ted for works in Republican districts.
Mr.. SHERMAN (Rep.,) of o., asked what sim
gle reform had the Democratic party accom-
plished since 1850, and said that he could show
fifty for the Republican party.
Mr.. MORTON (Rep.,l of Ind. would like my
friend TO name one single good act OF any kind
that the Democratic party has done wlthln
twenty five years Applause in the galleries.I
cediug the there was nothing to reform.
The revenues were not stolen, and the taxes
were so light that the people scarcely knew
that they were contributing to the support of
the government. Now, on the contrary, one
fourth of the revenue was lost in its collection.
The frauds practiced by the Republican party
from 1866 TO 1871 We're so appalling that the bet
evils and "a Commission was raised to endeav-
or TO reform the civil service of the Govern
ment That Commission, composed of George
William Curtis, A. G.. Cattell, Joseph Medill, ID.
A. Walker, r. B. Elliott, Joseph III. Blaekfau,
aud ID. q. Cox, was indorsed by the Republican
party. Those gentlemen, he supposed, belong
ed TO the better class of Republicans and he did
not deny that there were good men in the Re
publican party, but they were impOtent 70 con-
Mr.. MORTON (Rep..) of Ind, reviewed the
history "
the party in Convention in Chicago in 1864,
with Tilden himself on the committee, declared
the war a failure. In any other country than
as high treason. The Democratic party had the
blacklist and most damnable record in the his
| [Applause in gallery.l 1t was true that the ex-
penses of the government had been increased,
but who was responsible for IL? His friend
/ Merrimon and those who acted with him.
They had laid the burdens upon the people OF
| the country, and il required a good deal OF face
a the Senate you
Republicans did not conquer our rebellion as
| ferred to the Hamburg massacre, and said that
/ IL the Republican party used force To prevent
the repetition of these things, IL was Justified In
Democratic party. He had been miugling with
Democrats good many years
Mr.. MERRiMON-YOu used to be one.
Mr.. MORTON-Yes; but left that party in
| 1854, and am OF age in the Republican party
/ now. Whenever a Democrat wants TO hurt my
| feelings, he charges me with having been
Democrat. lGreat laughter.l
| Mr.. MERRIMON said that he did not mea n
| TO hurt the feelings OF his friends. He spoke of
| his being Democrat, thinking they Were the
proudest day OF his life.
1iI. MORTON replied that the proudest days
of his life were the days when ne assisted in
putting down the rebellion and conquertng his
| friend (MerrimOn) and those VINO acted with
MIN. Referring to the question of reform, he
asked who could safely be lntruSted with the
work OF reform, il not the Republican party.
the necessity for reform always existed, and
that party was the true reform par y, which
carried on the work of reform quietly every
year, as the Republican party had done, and
not that party which broke out every now and
then for reform, and practiced extravaganza
down the rebellion, amended the Constitution,
and abolished slavery, was the true party TO IN
trust IL TO that party than those hacks and
humbugs who had come down from the Demo-
VINO had been kicked out of the Republican
party-better than the Alumni of Tammany
MIR. SALISBURY CDem.,) of Del, said that
the Democratic party took hold OF the country
in its infancy. It's first act was TO wipe out the
sedition laws from the statute books. IL took
hold of the country when IL was composed Of
but thirteen colonies, and added the great
Texas and golden California. II took hold of
the country when IL had shinplasier curren-
cy, and substituted gold and silver. IL paid of
the National debt during the administration of
| Gen. Jackson, and IL would pay OF the Nation-
al debt which the Republican party had Gre
Mr.. salisbury then referred TO the Resump-
tion Act of the last session, and said that that
act was passed by the Republicans without any
| intention of resuming specie payment. IL was
| a tub for a whale. When the Democratic party
came into power II would take measures to re-
sumo at the proper and at no very distant day.
Mr.. MORTON lRep) Of Ind, said that the
country was on the eve OF a great campaign
and the success of the Democratic party de-
pended upon carrying Louisiana, Mississippi,
South Carolina, Florida and North Carolina,
States all largely Republican. Their chances
/ of success were in overpowering that majority
| by bloodshed and the campaign was opened at
| Mr. MERRIMON (Dem.,) of n. c., remarked
| that II the statements hurt they were but a be-
/ ginning, and there would DE facts and figures
/ brought out which would secure the repudia-
tion OF the Republican party In November
Mr.. SHERMAN (Rep.,) Of Ohio, said that
while he heard the great Republican party ar
raigned like pack OF thieves, he could not
| help but feeling indignant, and II aroused the
/ old fire in him. There was II a single position
| taken by the Democratic parry during the past
| stand and defend IL.
| Mr.. BAYARD Dem.,) OF Del, (sotto voce)-It
/ Is wrong To make n stump speech.
/ Mr.. SHERMAN said, yes, he knew IL was
wrong 10 make "A stump speech. but he wanted
came into power, 1t would not seek TO stand
| upon any position which 10 had taken within
/ the last thirty years. II would not do for that
party 10 talk about grand corruption and dis
| honesty in this hap hazard way, and asked
/ who is il that stole the public money? The
names, the time and the circumstances should
Mr.. SALISBURY. Dem:l Of Del-Look at
| the investigation OF the Navy Department,
| there YOU will find IL all.
Mr.. SHERMAN said that il any wrong exist
| ed there the Republicans would be quick TO
| punish the peTpetrator. Though he did not be-
| Iieve there was anything wrong about the Sec
Nj. SALISBURY said that he did not state
| that there was anything wrong about the Sec
retary, but there was wrong practieed upon the
Mr. SHERMAN, resuming, argued that Nc
| Donald and Mckee were put In states prison
! No Democrat had any hand in it. He next
| referred TO the expenditure OF money i'm the
/
| down Ku-klux organizations. The most 1nfa-
i nous organization which ever existed. He ar
| gued that the public money had been disbursed
| with absolute fidelity both during and since
| the war. II this was to be "A campaign of scan
| dal and abuse, OF calumny and reprOach, the
| people would not heed IL. II the Democrats
| were trying To prove Grant a rascal, and those
who had carried the Republican banner cor
| Tupt, and could not bring the facts and figures,
| the people would turn their backs upon the
| party. The Democratic party had been crying
| reform, but it must do something else before
| the people would trust the associates o. Tweed
| in New York. The Republican party had given
| the country a good administration, and people
| were willing TO trust IL further. The time had
| not vet arrived when the Democratic party
| could again come into power.
/ Pending the discussion, the Cnair an nou need
| Messrs. Frelinghuysen, Edmunds and Wtthers
| as a new Committee of Conference on the Con-
| sular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
| Mr. ALLISON (RepD OF Ia, submitted sub
| stitute for the River and HarbOr Appropriation
bill, which appropriates s5,22OOOO for that pur-
| pose. Ordered printed
! Mr. INGALLS,, from the Conference Commit
tee the bill to declare forfeited TO the United
| States certain lands granted TO the state OF
Kansas, TO aid in the construction OF a railroad,
| ETC., made a report which was agreed TO.
| The Senate then went into Executive session,
| and soon adjourned.
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