Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-05

in two new members-Bailey, of New York,
| and Majors, of Nebraska, who had been
| elected to fill vacancies-and appointing the
usual committee to call upon the President,
! the house took a recess until the message was
received The appointment Of s. S. Cox as
| one of the committee excited some remark,
and some members thought Speaker Randall
| should av8eelected some one else, in view of
| the fact that Cox was the only representative
who had called the President a fraud from
the floor of the house. They did manage,
however, to
SPRING A POLITICAL DEBATE,
but it was inaugurated By the Democrats
instead # by the Republicans, as was ex-
pected. The only thing in the Presidents
message that attracted much attention was
what be said about elections in South Caro-
lima and Mississippi. When Fernando
Wood moved to refer the message to the
committee of the whole, he took occasion to
express regret that the President had said
what ne did about the southern elections. be-
cause it vas at variance with his purpose, as
declared in his inaugural address. 1t seemed
to HIM that the President was vacilla'ing,
and that he was about to throw himself into
the arms of the stalwarts, and raise again the
bloody shirt. While the President could see
what he supposed to be wrong in the south,
he was blind to what occurred in the north,
GARFIELD, AS MATTER OF COURSE,
rose to defend the President, and applauded
him for calling attention to those matters,
and twitted Wood with the reduction OF his
majority in New York. OF course Eugene
Hale had to have something to say. He Is
never backward, and as this is his last session
he will want to have his name appear on
every page of the Congressional Record.
He, too commended the President for what
l. ,ol Nl,oS l. flynr
ing himself into the arms of the Republicans.
1t was simply matter of duty, and the whole
country, he argued, would demand that every
constitutional right of every citizen be en-
forced in every State.
THIS WAY, MR., MERRIMAN.
Cox. of New York, closed the discussion,
and made a good deal of fun at the expense
of Hale. As an off set to what the President
said were wrongs in South Carolina and
other southern States, Cox called attention
to what was done in New York by Johnny
Davenport under the supervisor law. 1t Is
not supposed that Democrats will make any
serious objection to a full investigation of
the allegations In that part Of the Presidents
message; but they will couple with 1t an IN
vestIgation of the elections in New York,
Cincinnati and in every other city where the
machinery of supervisors was put In opera
ton, in order to fully show the workings of
that measure.
TWO APPROPRIATION BILLS
were reported to day: The military academy
bill by Mr.. Durham, and the Notification bill
by Mr.. Baker. The latter approprlates two
hundred and seventy-fve thousand dollars,
which is the same amount as given in the bill
in the current fiscal year; and the military
academy bill recommends the sum OF two
hundred and seventy-six thousand six hun.
bred and forty seven doll 1rs, which is six
Thousand one hundred and fifty eight dollars
less than the amount appropriated in the last
bill, or ffty-eight thousand one hundred and
sixty eight dollars less than the estimate sub
mitted by the department. Durham gave
notice that he would call the bill up for ac-
ticn to. morrow,
ARMY REORGANIZATION,
The army commission, composed of mem
bers of the senate and house, which has
been holding it's sessions during the congress
sional recess, investigating the subject OF re-
organization of the army, holds its final
meeting Saturday next, to agree upon re-
port. 1t is said that while bill for thor
ough reorganization will be presented, it will
involve but few reductions In the present
force of officers.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
disappoints both Republicans and Democrats;
the former because, while they think that he
is willing to use every effort to punish the al
legged offenders against free and fair cleo
ton in the south, they had hoped his Ian
guage would have been more torclble; and
the latter because it is forcible as it Is. Its
reading attracted but little attention in either
house, and the only decided expression which
was evoked was in the house, when that por-
ton of an extract from Secretary NJ 'Crary's
report was read recommending the repeal
of the posse cOn1itGttS law In its application
to the army. 1t provoked quite smile on
the Democratic side, and sneerS as well. As
a State document it is considered quite COM
monplace. 1t has been discounted by the
Lr5ss from this place month ago In all its
essential points, and for that reason falls
quite hat. It ia regarded in tone as about all
the Republicans had & Eight to expect, and less
than the Democrats, or many of them did ca
pect. Those who defend itsay that its weakness
is not so much the fact that its commonplace
presentation Of the condition of the country
makes it q weak gtste paper, as the fact that
the condition of the country ot{ered no OPP
pertunlty 10 p1ake it a stronger one. 1t is
considered conservative enough, even to COM
monplace. The Republicans do not regard
1t as a document which will aid them poiitl-
eRlly, nor the Democrats one which their po-
iltleai a5Vefsarles can get much comfort out
Of. It's principal CRITICISM IS that 1t lacks
craftsmanship, makes no recommendations
which will attract tbs country, suggests no
legislation for the relief of the hurdened
people, and is not assuring in its general
character.
WHAT THE GREAT STATESMEN SAY OF 1T.
To give fair idea of the feeling it has
produced here, the following laconic express
si9rg Of members serve to show:
Wood, Of t3ennsvlyania-Fine essay on the
prosperity of the agricultural department.
Entertaining disqulsltion on ladlan aRalrs
and other subjects, perhaps Of importance,
which don't strike one.
Senator Kellogg-Haven't read ii.
Chapman Freeman, of PennsylVania-Too
long; too general, lQo weak; and if he had
anything to write about he couldn't have
known how.
Lathrop, of Illinois-It's all right. Fact
is, since last election things have SO quoted
down that the people don't care much what
the President says.
John Goode-One of the weakest State pa
pers ever issued from an executive.
Herr Smith, Of Pennsylvania should
haye been Imads stronger On the southern
Caswell, of Wiseonain=-It Will have good
effect in making people think, especially on
the southern question.
Fernando Wood expresses the same opin
ion in private that he did on the floor, that
there Is nothing important in it except the
southern question. Other members agree
msnd much attention.
Knott, of Kentucky-The whole paper is
aiscse9it to the administration. Cannot
think the eabinst had much to do with it, for
it would then have b3en more marked.
Schleicher, ct Texas-lts fair document,
because there is at this time very little that
could be put into a message to make strong
impression. Congress should take notice of
the suggestions as to the south and inVesti-
gate.
Harry White, who is one of the stalwarts,
preferred stronger talk, bat on the whole
likes il
Singleton, referring to the southern part.
says he wants the allegations fully inquired
into, and it will be shown that no dishonor
attaches to Mississippi at least.
Blount, of a-Congress viii not pay
much attention to any suggestions in the
message.
Bliss, of New York, and Criitenden of the
same State, are we'll pleased with the 6nan
ciel part.
Rice, of Ghio-Very weak; very thin.
General Banning-Lacks statesman ship;
makes no prominent or salutary suggestions.
Senator Blaine-Better than | expected.
An improvement on the last message.
Senator Toorhees-Don't like if. Has no
reading about it,
IL