New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-25
THE BATTLE IN THE SENATE.

s.pGryT's ATTACK AND CONKLING'S DRAMATIC
prrHSsE-DAwEs CREATES A PANIC-BAYARD,
csRlsTI.NCY, AND THURMAN sPKAK AT NIGHT.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, JAN 24.-The Senate met an hour
earlier than usual to-day to make time for the de-
hate on the Electoral Count bill. 1t was arranged
that Mr. Conking should take the floor at first and
finish the speech cut in two by the adjournment of
yesterday; but after the little morning hour bust
mos had been disposed of he not in his place.
Awhispered consultation was held around Mr.. Ed
pundss desk and then q recess of ten minutes was
voted and pages were dispatched to hunt up the abb
sent orator The ten minutes expired and still he
did not appear. Something had to be done, and
very reluctantly Mr.. Sargent, who had intended to
sneak later in the day, collected his formidable
pile of manuscript and begun. He had been
going on for q quarter of an hour when the doors
few open and the tall form of the Newly Senator
stalked in. With a look of amazed indignation he
stared at Mr. Sargent as If determined to call him
TO account for usurpinQ his privilege to the floor;
Int Mr. Hamlin and Others came up and explained
in updertones how the affair occurred. Then Mt
Conklng did what few of his assailants had the
courtesy TO do-he gave patient and attentive
hearing to Mr. Sargent's two and half hours adj
dress.
The unwillineness with which the supporters of
the bill listen any other opponent than MI Nor
ton is n peculiar feature of the debate. They seem
10 think that nothing can now be said on that side
of the question which is not dilution OF MI. Nor
TONS concise argument of Monday. They have
made up their minds that the passage of the measure
has become political necessity; and nothing that
can now lie urged against it will command their
respect except a strong constitutional argument
carving with il the weight of acknowledged
authority and that, it is needless TO say, IS mol
likely to be forthcoming. The roll of negative votes
on the bill will not include any of the recognized
constitutional lawyers of the Senate.
Mr. Conkling did not get the floor until o'clock.
Ue looked none the worse for his Yesterdays effort
and proved TO have reserve of power that aston
ished everybody. As prelude TO his speech he
offered first petition from New-lork City In favor
of the BILL and then telegram OF the same tenure
from indianapolis, signed by 81 Republicans and
three Democrats among the former being such
eminent Indiana politicians as ex-Gov. Baker. Con-
eressman-elect Sexton, and Gen. Benja Harrison
After reading the names, Mr.. Conkling walked over
TO Mr. Morton's seat and handed it to him
with a flourish. The dramatic effect OF
this proceeding was not lost upon wayer-
ing Senators fearful of home Republican OPP
position. Summarizing his argument of yesterday,
Mr. Conkling then proceeded TO carry 1t forward to-
the feature Of the constitutonality of the pending
measure He spoke for nearly three hours, and dis
played even more fervency than he did yesterday.
He ightened up the solid fabric of his logic with
more flowers rhetoric and apt quotations. making 1t
more pleasing to listen to. His readiness at cita-
tions of authority and at illustrations from tera
tnre. law, and history was remarkable in view OF
the fact that he had nothing written down except
few sheets of notes. Many of his figures of speech
were striking For example, speaking of Mr.. MOrtons
plan of having the President of the Senate count
the vote as necessity growing out OF the absence OF
lepislation he characterized it as a political He'll
Gate. paved and honey -combed with dynamite" His
most effective attack upon the opponents OF the bill
who think it surrenders the Republican position
was his showing that every Republican III the
Senate less than year ago voted for MI MOTIONS
bill. which if now law would give the House sole
and absolute power to reject the vote of any State
from which there are duplicate returns. The three
executions were Messrs. Conkling, Edmunds, and
Howe In the same line was his charge that Mr. Morton
had also voted for a proposition to bring IN the
Chief-Justice at the count as an arbitrator VI
course the conclusion implied, but not expressed,
was that the opponents of the pending measure are
taking shelter behind constitutional oplections 10
conceal their real purpose. The most welcome por-
ton of the speech to Mr. Conklngs friends was that
which cleared up the prevalent doubts as 10 MS
position on the main question, by saying that he be-
ieyes Gov HAYES elected and wishes to give MN q
clear title TO the Office.
Whatever Mr.. Conklings critics may say of his
mannerisms OF of his somewhat melodramatlc style
of delivery. they will not deny to his speech the
praise dne 10 a great effort Few men in the Senate
OF the country are able TO speak for three hours on
two successive days, making powerful and closely
Connected argument free from repetitiOns and from
the weakness of needless prOlixity and holding the
attention throughout Of an audience ihtolerant TO-
ward dizziness and tediousness. This Mr. Conkllng
has done.
Mr. Morton was evidently worried by the Indian
aDos telegram for by the time Dir. Conking had mn
ished he had sent dispatch here and got an answer
which he proceeded to read The friends OF the Dill
were little troubled lest II should prove that the
first dispatch was forgery but there was no dehla
Of its authenticity only statemet that al day had
been required TO get many signatures ana an
assurance that the Republicans OF Indiana were
almost unanimous against the bill. MI. MORTON
read other kilograms from the State but did not
give signatures which Mr. Conkng suspected
w.-e those of 'postmasters or other Oficeholders.
He also exhibited stacks of letters sustaining ms
course aud referred to the position of the Republic
can press Of the country sharp little collOquy
ensued between him and Mr.. Conkln0. and then
another with Mr.. Mcdonald. who had just returned
from Indianapolis, and cited number OF prominent
Republicans there as lavOring the BILL
Mr. Dawes closed the afternoon debate by a diver
non IN behalf of the opponents OF the Dill winch
had the effect upon it, supporters Of an unexpected
attack upon the flank Of an army marching 10 VIC
tory. BY good deal of skirmising at the close OF
Dir. Conklings speech. he got from that gentleman
an assent TO a well-known fact, namely that the
bill does not preclude the commission from gong
behind the returns TO investigate the election IN any
State. Then Mr.. Dawes answered that to guard