New-York tribune., 1878-12-17
THE RESOLUTION SURE TO PASS.

lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-Owing to the antagonlsm
for priority of consideration which appeared last
week between the bill for a reorganization of the
ratent svstem and the resolution of Senator Blaine
to investigate election frauds in the South, and
owing also 10 the fact that Senator Wadeigh. VINO
il in charge of the former bill, had expressed bis
intention not to give up the advantage Wmch Ills
measure had by ITS position on the calendar IL was
not generally expected that the Blaine resolution
conld be reached IN season for discussion to-day
Consequently the crowd of spectators which lis
tened 10 the debate this measure last "Wednesday
did not make it's appearance this afternoon The
galleries were only partially hlled, whlie upon t"e
floor of the Senate we're to be seen not more thah
score of persons beside the Senators themselves.
In wouId be a misuse of terms to characterize the
event of to-day in the Senate an exciting debate
Forcb. and pointed things were said upon elther
side as the argument proceeded, but the zone
throughout was moderate courteous and emlnenuy
credrable 20 the good sense of the paFtlcl-
pants In the votes which took place toward
tha enl of the session party lines were
SHARPLY drawn; but from this fact alone could
spectator have gathered that any motive inspired
the honora BILE Senators who took part in the de-
bate other than wish to search out with judicial
fairness and imparaty the facts in relation to the
recent political occurrences the South, and to
punish under the law any who might be found
guilty of its violation
The debate was not at any time upon the merits
Of the main question. That, indeed, was practically
disposed of by test vote very early in the day,
when Senator Wallace, of Pennsylvania, moved,
after the resolution and the Thurman amendment
had been read, to lay the whole matter
on tho table. Mr. Blaine expressed hls
willingness to test the. strength of his measure
in that way and at that time, and called for yea
and nay vote. As result only three Democratic
Senators, MesSrs. Davis, of West Virginia; Me-
Creery. of Kentucky; and Wallace, of Pennsyl-
vania and no Republicans, were found willing to
place themselves upon record in opposition to an
investigation of the alleged Southern election out
RACES.
Judging from appearances the greater portion OF
the debate to-day was entirely unpremedItated and
accidental. willingness was apparent on both
sides early in the afternoon to let the matter he dis
posed of at once and this seemed several times on
the point of being accomplished, but was as often
prevented by motions to amend, usually providing
formerely verbal changes
The first important amendment was that moved
by Senator Conkling as q member of the Judiciary
Committee, in the absence of Mr.. Edmunds, It's
chairman, that the investigation proposed IN the
resolution be conducted by special committee OF
nine Senators, instead of by the Judi
ciaTy Committee of the Senate, as pro-
posed in the resolution itself. The Sem
ator explained that the judiciary Committee
is now so overburdencd with work winch has been
sent to it by the Senate that it would not be possi
bic for it to undertake to carry to completion an i'm
portant investigation like that contemplated in the
pending resolution. He expressed his belief that
the Investigation ought to take place, ana
thonght the matter of too much Importance to be
risked in the hands of a committee already over
bnrdened with other business of great public
moment This amendment was supported indirectly
by Mr. Blaine himself, and adopted by q vote of 80
to 20.
TIE DEMAND FOR OPEN DOORS.
2 Senator Butler, of South Carolina, moved to
amend the resolution by instructing tbe committee
TO sit with open doors.
Senator Blaine Immediately opposed this motion
as calculated, in fact. to defeat one of the prime
objects of the original measure. He sharply brought
out the fact that this would be- in effect. sending
proclamation in advance all through the South that
timid men, either white or coored, who should ven
ture TO testify 10 facts damaging to their Demo-
cratic neighbors, would do 50 at their peril Such
matters should be left to the discretion of the COM
mittee OF the subcommittee charged with the con-
duct of the investigation.
Senator Butler replied with emphasis that there
did not exist in fact particle of evidence to sus
tain the allegation made by the Senator from Maine
against the people of South Carolina $50 far as l
am concerned" he added representing i'll part
South Carolina. desire to say to the Senate and
the country that, as the Senator from Maine has
chosen 10 single out my State, our people desire
tho most complete. full and open investigation"
Senator Eustis, of Louisiana, spoke briefly to the
same effect on behalf of louisiana botn Senators
asserting that in neither State does there exist now
nor has there been in the past. any danger 10 Repub
lican witnesses IN testifying IN any manner they
might soc fit.
Senator Blaine retorted rather sharply calling at
tentiOn to recent facts in the political history OF
those States instancng especially the massacre at
Hamburg; and he asserted that the Senator from
South Carolina exhibited affected ignorance of
vents which no other American is uDacquainted
with.
vote was taken on Senator Buffers resolution,
resulting IN its defeat by tie vote of 80 to 30.
TUE DEBATE GROWS A LITTLE POINTED.
Senator Davis of West Virginia, then moved that
power be given to any member of the committee to
have the investigation conducted with open doors.
This was Recognized as substantially the same
amendment as that just disposed of. and upon this
ouestion of open or closed doors the subsequent de-
bate was based
Senator Bayard, in speech which lasted twenty
minutes, urged that there was something un-Ameri-
can and which offended his of fairness in the
plan proposed Of closing the doors and holding
secret inquests where whole communities had been
indicted and where regulations Of reputable cti-
zens Of the United States might be assailed by per-
sonal OF political enemies, while no method of de-
fence or even of learning the source aid animus OF
the assault was afforded.
Senator Herman made an earnest argument IN the
same line, urging in addition that the system of
taking testimony in courts of justice has ever been
with open doors. If there is fact which ought to