The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-12

Mr.. Thurman then took the floor and
submitted tile following rs an amendment
to the resolution Of Blaine:
The committee shall also inquire
whether any citizen OF any State has been
dismissed sor threatened with dismissal
from employment or deprivation OF any
right or privilege by reason OF his vote or
intention to vote ut the recent elections or
been otherwise interfered with and to
inquire II in 1873 money was raised by
assessment or otherwise on federal office
holders or employees for election purposes
and under What circumstances and by
what means and II SO what amount was so
raisedand how the same was expended;
and further, whether such assessments
were not in violation OF law, and sha II
further inquire into the action and conduct
OF United States Supervisors OF elections in
the several states, as to the number of
Marshals, Deputy Marshals and others
employed to take part in the conduct OF
said elections, in what states or cities ap-
pointed, the amount OF money paid or
promised to be paid then, and how or by
whom and under what law and authority.
~ u ruuRMAN's SPEECH. rs ag
Mr.. Thurman then addressed the Sen.
ate. He said:
Mr.. PgEsiDENT-I attempted to offer
that amendment before tho Senator from
Maine proceeded with his remarks, but
failed to have any opportunity to do so: j
intehded then TO say that whatever opin.
| ion might be entertained on this side OF
the Chamber as to the competency OF Con-
gress to make the investigations that these
resolutions contemplate, yet we were dis
posed to waive all llsCruples OF that character
and suffer the resolutions TO pass without
Opposition II the amendment now pro-
posed should be added. The Senator
from Maine, however, having speech
carefully studied and prepared, exercised
his right to deliver that speech before any
amendment could be offered, and ! do not
complain OF that ut oil, nor do now rise
to make any extended reply to the speech
/ have heard, just now. Should this de-
bate be Eprotracted 1 may, exercise, my
privilege OF saying something in reply to
the Senator from Maine, butto-day shall
conflne myself to avery few general OBJ
servations. ia-.. ia.,a,
THE. Senator is frank in one thing; his
resolution is broad, 1t includes all the
states. II provides for an investigation US
10 whether the rights OF American citizens
| in connection with the elective. franchise
have been violated or rinterfered with in
any OF the states, but he frankly admits
| in the yery outset OF his remarks that that
was not his purpose; that his purpose was
To assail the Democracy OF the South.
He had two purposes In preparing care
fully elaborated speech, not TO vindicate
the right oi suffrage throughout this
whole Union, but 10 inquire whether
the Democratic Southern States had yiolat.
cd the rights OF American citizens and
then 10 And out what should be done with
them. Now Mr.. President that Is very
frank and have no doubt Q very true
statement OF the animus OF this resolution,
MrT President, i said that there might DC
some doubts as to the propriety OF tins IN.
yestiRation.6 / repeat 1t, There may be
some doubts, especially to-day. Here Is
4 the short session of Congress when, IN
Guiding the recess that We always take, Is
less perhaps than two months wlthln
which 10 dispose OF the appropriation blllt
and otflef measures OF legislation that
4 necessarily require the attention OF Con
gress. II the business OF the session IS u
Y he disposed of and no pYtFa sasstonis 10 p'
Now SIR the Senator proposes On tpyes
4 tigation that | defy any committee tna
can be found, to make with anything nk.
thoroughness,, nay, in any satisfactory
\ manner, With anytkinglike iustness, eltls
10 those who are implicated or those %h'
NAV be implicated within the time ina
T pemains oi ille session Of the Senate. i
4 Il anIimposssbIiity, Ibaye therefore won
dared Why this resolution Was Introduce.
I miles Il Il was to be made . string lpol
which TO hang speacbes TO arouse sec
tional hatred 10 oae portion Of this lIntol
asainst an almost defe1pelass people ~
another portion Of the Union.
HHNow,' this assault Of the senator lron
Maine is moi an assault simply, however
Snan % the people OF the South. said tiv
montbs AGO 10 q speech, which beg par
Ian ior rapeslIpg here, that It did seem q 2
. clear to mo ss anything In American 1,; poiii oi
, ties could be, that there was 2 gel Talei
, formed purpose under tho PreteSt Hts
there was a solid South 70 erRate 2 50 y
North I'd rule not only the solid South nn
m rule one-half nearly, II not more, pee
nIe al the North. ] thought that then,
: t6ink 20 now. ] thought then and \ INN y,
now that purpose more unpatrlotIE. Y
!. more Unjust, more fraught Eith run 70 ~ -
= th4.pt :, S,,av antapnh the brain OF mai