The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-18
THE FIRST STEf' ron iIsD JUSTICE.

WASHINGTON. April 10. In spite Of In
trigue. double dealing. and no little trcuchcry.
the first practical step toward n Juiicinl de-
termination ~ the Presidential question has
been taken 10y the House of Representatives.
That is 10 say. a bill to authorize an action in
the nature OF a quo warranto. To try IN" title Of
Mr. Hayes To- the office he now occupies. but
does not Ill., has been referred to the Judiciary
Committee. That committee consists Of tho
following members: Mr.. Proctor Knott of Ken
lucky. Chairman: Mr. Lynde of Wisconsin MIR.
Harris Of Virginia. Mr. Hartridge of Georgia.
Mr.. StcngeI Of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Mcmahon of
OHIO. MIR. Cu,brrson of TcNas. Mr.. Frye Of
Maine. Mr. Butler Of Massachusetts. Mr. Congcr
Of Michigan. aud Mr.. lapham of New York
seven Democrats and four Republicans.
THIS bill was referred IN the usual way on
Monday. before the Reuubli an side OF the
House became aware Of its nature, and they
ioohshly concentrated opposition IN the Mary
land resolution. when il was offered hy Mr..
Swanu which Is merely suggestive tthc meas
ure that had already passed out of the hand,
of the House. And Il was only at the end of an
angry debate when this fact WAS discovered
that Mr.. Garfield proposed 10 reconsider the
reference and 10 brink the bill back before
the House. This he will not live TO sce accom-
plishcd. for the Speaker promptly refused to en-
t'TlAln lAf IlhAl'l anu IL 'iu I'NNl h' l'NiN'A
with any prospect Of success.
The violence with which tho respectful reso-
luton Of Maryland was attacked by the differ
ent shades of Republicans furnished not only
the best evidence of the weakness Of their po-
sition. but exposed their fear Of any invcstGa-
ton which shall bring out the whole truth Of
Pre- sdcntial election. Ii was natural that De
Golyer Garfield. who had personally been assu-
| ciatcd with the Returning Board at New Orleans
and cogn2ant Of their frauds. who had suhse-
qucntly sat on the Elect oral Commission to con-
| firm the iniluity with which his hands were
soied and who recently Joined in public let
ter Of sympathy to Keno Anderson after his
! conviction. should BE- avcrse to any rropening
| Of II question when might transfer him from Il
scat in the House 10 tho criminals dock. His
anxiety and effort To nip this movement In the
bud wcra therefore to be expected.
But when Mr.. Banks. Mr.. Congcr. ana Mr.
Oliver came 10 his aid ana tried 10y parliament
tary DEVICES to stinn the memorial. and virtual
| ~ TO deny the sucrcl right OF petition even more
| vchemently than the pro-slavery champions OPP
! posed the abolition petitions presented by John
| Quincy Adams. the opposition assumed parti-
san shape. Garfield, speaking for the White
| House, Conger and Oliver representing the pro-
| nouncrd Republicans. and Banks, balancing be-
| tween the two extremes. all ioined in the same
r"ot"s' ",'ou' 'D'',' ~, -, NJ,
"',''"" ','""' ""''"' NV 80, -, - ,,,,
referred TO the judiciary Committee, where the
| hin Inns nlrendy gone hecause the majority dare
n.. r,fus. thut courtesy Ia the cXprrssion Of a
| c.. ,i,.,I II, ,,r,,s ,roo from, ali toiut ~
| -, -. 40 III a., ma, - I'm. 500,
| WV ''N"' '"' N''"' - 49,
| probable, the measure Whl'h the resolution pro-
| nosns IL houscd and must receive the consider
/ ~ wi &. lpmnnfE rOuoTt