Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-17

INVESTIGATION.


The Democratic senators not only
court the fullest investigation of al
legged outrages in the South, but de-
mand that the committee charged
with this duty shall sit with open
doors. When Blaine's resolution in
regard to elections in the South came
up Yesterday, Mr.. Wallace moved to
lay it on the table. This motion was
rejected by a vote of three yeas and
sixty nays, nearly all the Democrats
voting in the negative. This shows
the country that they are conscious
of holding the vantage ground, and
desire an opportunity to yindicate the
long slandered South. When it be-
came evident that the Democrats
would not oppose investigation, other
peculiar Radical tactics interviewed.
Mr.. Conkling submitted an amend
ment to have the investigation made
By a special committee of nine instead
of the Judiciary committee, and this
was agreed to by almost a party vote
yeas, &c; nays, q. Mr.. Blaine then
submitted an amendment authorizing
the committee to take testimony by
itself or by any subcommittee, and
visit any portion of the country where
such visit may in their Judgment facili-
tate any portion of the object of in
quiry. The main object is to manu-
facture political capital for the next
Presidential campaign, and the sub
committees thus armed with a rowing
commission are expected to take ex-
parte testimony of the Eliza Pink
erton style and put it before the coun-
try as a truthful representation of
affairs in the South. This is to work
up the Northern mind to a state
of frenzy again, and some man like
Blaine expects to be swept into
the White House on the topmost wave
of the great upheaval. That this is a
well laid plan, utterly regardless of
the welfare and peace Of the country
or the ends of justice, is palpably
clear. When Mr.. Butler moved yes
terday that this committee, or any sub
committee, shall sit with open doors,
the amendment wa rejected. Mr..
Davis, of West Virginia, then renewed
the amendment to the amendment in
another shape, and Mr.. Bayard spoke
in its favor, saying that there was
something un-American in this secret
inquisition. This was rejected by a
strict party vote, showing that the Re-
publican party loves darkness rather
than light. subsequently Mr.. Davis,
of West Virginia, moved to amend
so as to provide that the
committee, or any subcommittee
should sit with open doors when
requested to do SO by any member o.
the committee. Here again there was
a lively discussion, Mr.. Bayard saying
that the courts took testimony Will
open doors; that if the charges ar,
true he hoped exposure and punish
ment would follow, but if untrue h
hoped the punishment would fall OIL
those who placed them on foot
Blaine, who Of course prejudges tn
people Of the South, asserted that tn
witnesses dare not tell the truth be
fore an open COMMITTEES. Mr.. Ransor
spoke with great ability and fore
in favor Of the amendment 1
the amendment, but all to n
purpose. 1t was rejected by a striC
party vote. A special committee {
nine will be virtually instructed VIVA
kind Of testimony they are to find, an
what sort Of report they are to max,
The majority report, manufactured i
the dark, will be taken up by a part
san, sectional press, and heFalded
the world. The minority report wi
not be noticed by the a%gitatOrs. I'll
attitude Of the Republican senators j
this matter does not commend itse
to the intelligence and patriotism {
the country. Business men, farmer
and all the laboring classes, are veal
of this sectional war constantly mao
upon the South. 1t unbalances trad
d~epreciates values, and blockades a
the avenues Of industry and eommerc
The issue is a false one, and is rais'
by men who could not rise to prom
nence or hold their own in public Ii
upon their own merits. The sgit
ton is intended to keepup bad feelin
to manufacture prejudices, and
educate millions Of people to Ia