The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-02-27
agriculture, Markets, Anasements II.
NUMBER 2.

THE story OF TO DAYS SECRET SESSION
Is soon tod Ten o'clock found all
members in their places and the doors
ocked. Morton opened The hall with
IN hours speech after his own kind
Law, logic and fact were alike ignored,
md he confined himself solelyllo assert
ng that he knew all that was necessary
10 know--that the Republicans had
majority in Louisiana, and that no Re.
publican could vote to take oiIierevi.
derce than the certificate of the Return
ing Board. His speech was sinplya
last crack of party whip over the
shoulders of the Republican members OF
the Commission After Morton came
Thurman, who delivered what is conce.
lied by those who heard him to have
been the great speech of the. day 1t is
a great misfortune, said COMMISSIONER
Payne tonight, that Tburmans speech
was not taken down. l never cav him
so aroused, SO utterly absorbed in eHy
argument; ane never heard an argu-
ment more masterly,more unanswerable.
Thurman considered first the Louisiana
statutes bearing on elections. and showed
beyond all dispute that the repeating of
the act of 1872 repealed all previous
election laws. He conceded what some
Iofrthe Democratic counsel denied, that
the Returning Board might be adjudged
uniier the law 10 have power to tabulate
and compile the Electoral vote, but
showed they had no power by Ian tp
throw out votes. He also shovel CON
clusively that the Board had absolutely
no power to I'LL any vacancies. This
part of his argument was so strong that
Morton tried to break its force in his
customary way by Interruptions. Brad.
ley got round it by claiming that he be-
lieved the old election law was still in
force. Garfield followed Thurman for
an hour and spoke after Morton's style.
His only point was the reading of a de-
cision of the Louisiana Supreme Court,
affirming the legality Of the Returning
Board. Biyard spoke next His speecli
was an appeal to the honor Of individual
members of the Commission to pass ON
the law and the facts. as impartial Judges
and not as partisans. He pleaded for
the people of the South, and affirmed his
own disbelief that the Individual fteff.
bers of the Commission would act 9th
ierwise than just. Edmands followed
Bayard, and devoted himself to an en-
deavorto cover up Thurman's ugly logic
by ingeniously constructed sophistries.
Hunton then spoke ten minutes. and at
a quarter to four, Bradley, the moderii
Warwick, rose to close the debate A
strong effort was made to get more time,
other Democratic members OF the Com
mission desiring to speak, but thcpre.
Judged Eight refused to change the Gag
Law made yesterday to close the debate
at o'clock to-day. Thefe was look
lof astonishment upon the faces OF the
Democratic members of the Commission
as Bradley rose with roll of manuscript
tin his hand II did not seem possible
Ithatlhe man who was chosen to fill thc
post of mutual umpire had written ont
his opinion in advance OF arguments be.
fore him by the Commissioners, but such
proved to be the fact. Noticing The look
of amazement. Bradley attempted to
excuse himself by saying his brethren
knew he was nervous, and always had to
commit his views to writing, and that he
had written out his views last night. in
tending to change any portion that might
be n; cessary if he was convinced by ar
guments to day. 1t is needless to add
that he had not changed any of it, and
that. his predetermined opinion was
weak attempt to show why he should
lyotc as be did. ,6..ag
The moment Bradley concluded, Hoaf.
with his bland, hypocritical smile in full
blossom, jumped up and offered gene.
raj resolution that the Commission had
decided not to admit evidence. He
Thought, doubtless, to get off With only
this general, indefinite record; but he
reckoned without his host. Abbott's
deep voice arrested the attention of the
Commission before Hoar was fairly seat.
ed, psH Hold on there is something eiss
to be done first" he remarked quietly,
but in his most cutting tones thereupon
he7proceeded to offer, one after another,
six separate resolutions, in each of which
he demanded the yeas and nays. The
vote on these resolutions forced the
eight Republican partisans to record that
they refused to consider evidence Of for
gerry, of bribery, Of illegality, OF ineligi.
bility, and OF unconstitutionality. 1t
was master stroke on Abbott's part, is
go considered here. tonight, and Abbott
has received unqualified commentator
for thus forcing the Eight to make so
horrible record that their reputation as
fair judicial men must be worthless here.
after. As soon as Abbott was through
other resolutions we're offered by Payne,
J, HuEton and Bayard, until every possible
Ipoint was covered. 1t was terrible or
deal for poor Bradley, and he WINGED
under it. Morton and Garfield, fearihs
be would weaken, protested, but the nj
nority insisted on their right to offer
resolutions and claim a vote on each. -
While the vote was, progressing Morton
and Garfield acted as though in torment,
and Miller was so excited that he could
not sit still. From the start he has been
tho most partisan member of the Com.
mission, and has made his partisanship
so obtrusive that q member of the Com
mission told Morton 20 night he would
look 10 him quicker Tor fairness than to
; Miller Bradley answered to his name
on each call in a low voice, and in a pitt
ful Nay, as though ashamed Of his own
action.
. The Telephone.
The telephone is undoubtedly sue.
cess. A few days since, Professor Bell,
of Boston, its inventor, gave some test