Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-18
The PartiZan Plot.
Especial to the Boston Daily Advertiser.l
WASHINGTON. May l6.

WASHINGTON. May l6.
Today's proceedings in the house were 9 rene
tition of yesterlav's, with but slight variations
There were l42 democrats present and voting on
the motion TO adjourn, one of them-Morse OF
MISUNDERSTANDING "no, but the largest vote
on secouding the previous question was l36
There is no question but that the democrats are
verv much divided on the policy of their under
taking. aud the spirit of revolt is spreading Mr..
Potter himself told some republicans TO day that
he had doubts about being able TO muster quo
rum in his party, and gave out that, in case he
cou' d not, he would keep no the fight until the
10th Of June, aud then concur with the senate in
the resolution for final adjournment, leaving the
appropriation bills and all other legislation in its
prese nj condition. He wanted to know what they
would do in that case, and was told that the Pres
ident would probably call an extra session i'm
mediately, and then he intimsed that he would
withdraw his resolution and renew the strug-
ole He was given to understand that the repub
icans could stand it If he thought the democrats
could. But this sort of talk on the part OF the
demociata i buster. They will do no such thing
for many of them have sense enough to see that
they are playing losing game, so far as the ef-
feet on the country is concerned. The republi-
cans showed their confidence to-day by making
the proposition to postpone this subject until
Saturday, when the democrats expect to be able
to muster all the strength they ever can, and de-
vote to-day and tomorrow to the public business.
but the democrats refused to yield, although they
might have done without prejudice. Alexsu-
der II. Stephens, who got weeks leave OF alb
sence on Monday on account of his feeble health
and had left the city, has returned and was in the
House to-day. He denounces witnou hesitation
the democratic scheme and management as stu
pendous blunder, and will not support it. He
went to the House TO day, determined to intro
duce, f possible a new proposition, covering the
ground of Potter and Hsles, but when he at
tempted to get the floor, his voice was drowned
by cries for the regular order from the democratic
revolutionists.
The men who think inst as Stephens does Oh
this subject, are much encouraged by the appear
ance on the scene Of the independent ADD conrsg-
aous veteran of 50 many political conflicts, who
will not he-I'ate to defv the dictston Of the con
spira,ors who forced this issue the party. 1t is
understood that If Mr.. Stephens had been allowed
tn speak to-day he would have declared mis- oppo-
sifiou to any inve.tigation whatever, as detrimen-
tai to the peace ard business interests of the
counttv: add further if there was to be any in
stigs,ion. il should cover all the plausible allie
cations of attempted fraud, and not be partisan.
Mr.. Stephens having always heretofore been
treated with distinguished courtesy, the bearing
OF the extremists toward him to-day was conspicu-
on.ly rude.
Spe sker Randall recognized him, as usual but
the mob insisted that be should not be heard
Two republicans asked leave Of absence to-day
for short PERIODS, but the same crowd who would
not hear Stephens objected.
the business interests Of the country, who had
come 10 watch the proceedings on the tariff DILL.
Almost without exception they disapprove of this
political scheme 10 uDsettle still more. aud for sd
Indefinite time, the industrial condition of the
country. They are giving the republican oppo ST.
ton strong encour agement. Business of all K nds
has burdens enough to contend with now without
the addition Of threat of civil revolution. such g.,
is implied in this investigation. The business me
Of the country are beginning to be heard from, 10
opposition to any reopenng of the old strifes aud
sores of the last campaign. The effect o.
the dem cratic threat of revolution trade and
commerce and all business ente prses beg inning
to oversha1ow partisan considerations.
The more Speaker Randalls ruling on the qnes
ton Of privilege is considered in connection with
the circumstance that it was deliberately formu-
lated beforehand as part of the movement for
sn invest CATION, the more significant does its
language seem. lie characteriZes the MARYLAND
memorial as an appeal for the correction" of a
high grievance, the grievance being the deter mi
nation of the Presidential election wrongfuly
and he says he is unable to conceive of q higher
privilege than the here involved, and directly
and broadly presented as to the righ,fu occupan-
cy of the chief executive chair of the govern
ment. This gives a meaning to the resolution
which Mr.. Potter attempted to avoid and
reveals the magnitude and reach of the is
sue over which the struggle is now going on.
Whenever the democracy get their quorum and are
able to second the demand for the previous ques-
ton, there will probably be no more adjournment
until the matter is decided. If the republicans re
solve to flibus,er the democrats will probably op-
pose all motions to adj purn and it will be a con
tinuous succession of roll-calls until side or the
| other yields. In such contest the minority al.
ways have an advantage, for they can do their
work with smaller force on duty and thus rest
| their men by relays. Such contest almost al.
ways ends in the captulation of the eoIity,