The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1877-02-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Innnnry o. ~

WASHINGTON, January p, 1877.
On Monday, the galleries of TIN
Senate chamber We're crowded, ant
such notables as Bob Inoersoll, MIR
Evarts, Judge Black, Landaulet,
Williams, General Sherman and Mr.
Pulitzer, were on the floor, expecting
to hear great speeches on the electora
reference bill. They were al
disappointed. The speeches were not
great. AT 1880 p. M, it was observed
that Mr. Morton had pushed his chail
into the main aisle (the Indiana
senator always Eliminates sitting il,
c0ihelrd) and it was evident that he
would open his mouth and speak.
An impressive silence fell upon the
galleries, and the eyes of all the
senators (it is rare for one senator to
pay the least attention to the remarks
OF anOther) were fixed upon the
Sergeant Bates of the bloody shirt.
lie began speaking in an almost
iuaudible tone, complaining of indis-
posi- ion, but his voice, husky at first
become louder and sufficiently distinct
to make audible the lamest speech
that the lame senator ever made. You
wi have read it before this reaches
you, and it will not be necessary for
me to give its outlines now; but his
friends weCe disappointed at the weak
ness Of the effort and his opponents
almost pitied him. When he enun.
ciated two or three times, with the
emphasis Of desperation: 81 believe
Rutherford b. Hayes is elected presi-
dent Of the United States" the gal
ler.e9, and even his partisans on the
floor gHzed at him with skepticism
that seemed to inquire, care you fool
or only 81 liar?" Senator Morton spoke
no more than forty-five minutes, and
was followed by Senator Frelinghuy-
sen, Of New Jersey, who, in written
speech of considerable length, defined
his views of the bill, and gave his rea-
sons for supporting it. Mr.. Sherman,
OF Ohio, interposed dilatory motion.
1t is the object OF the conspirators to
Kill the bill by delay. Senator Ed
munds, OF Vermont, who has charge
Of the bill, urged the necessity of the
utmost speed consistent with delibera.
ton, ina much AS the bill would have
to be considered by the Senate, the
House and the president, all inside Of
seven days. This aroused the Ohio
senator, and, with a voice tremulou5
from excitement, he accused the sena-
tor from Vermont of desiring to
hurry legislation on novel and
most unheard of proposition Mr.. Ed
munds wanted no better opportunity |
for display of that polished irony |
and cGustic sarcasm fer which he is
universally dreaded. He disclaimed
any desire to hasten action or cut Of
debate; he insisted that the measures
proposed were not nOvel-that the !
Senators from Ohio and Indiana had
considered similar bill, and he was
happy to say, had very clearly, ably, !
and in accord with constitutional |
precept, placed themselves on record |
when the conditions were favorable for
unbiased reflection, when there were
no selfish motives to influence judg- |
nt,oniy eleven months ago. During |
this terrible rebuke, the effect OF which |
| can not effectively describe, the tall
Senator from Ohio, covered like cul'
prit while Senator Morton tore, nerv-
ously yellow envelope in which he
had just received telegram from an
indiana postmaster, imploring him to
mold the fort. He arose, rare thing |
Tor MI. Morton to do, and supported
himself on a rack attached o his
desk, that has been made especially |
Tor him. There was expectation of a
splendid explosion, but it did not come,
he only uttered some absurd stun
ABOUT the Senate having been bull
dO2ed by fears OF Democratic invasion.
A speech full of weakness and seniliiy
nom Senator Cameron, OF Pennsylva.
MA, concluded the first days DEBATE.
Senator Conkling began speech IN
AVor of the bill yesterday, ana he will
continue to day. Before this reaches
You the bill will have passed the Sen
ale, and it will meet but little
opposition in the House. The presi-
ueht Will sign it, and all but the Office
holders are happy. Many Democrats
We're at first opposed to the bill, for ie
seemed like exchanging certainty for
nope, hut they are calm and confident
IN the expectation of justice. Justice
Il, OF course, what the Cameron, Nor
ton aud Sherman trinity fear. One
question Mt least has been definitely
settled by this debate. A majority OF
the Senate is opposed to the plan for
the vice president to count the vote.
There will be but little more talk about
tlhat. The overthrow of Boutwell, and
Logan should be, and perhaps has
open, n warning to extremists here.
what can Morton and Cameron hope
70 accomplish in their respective states
without the vantage of patronage?
Among the significant occurrences
OF the last week have been the collapse
OF Washington Republican daily pa
Per, the Chronicle, and cecrease IN
me size of the National Republican, a
paper which has received the sobri-
9uet of the Administrative Kitchen
organ" The Union, Democratic
uSily, started about two months ago,