The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-17
SHALL THE MAJORITY RULE?
utygS'S yIsITTNG STATESMEN As Or
GINIZERS or A REvOLU1ION.

noni.,- Weiy On-Keyser's Errnnd The |
Southern Democrats-AnotherC Conference. |
wAsnISGToN, May 1G.--Thc Republican
minority in tho House still follow the lead OF
Garfield. Hale, and Foster. Garfield and Hale
were visiting statesmen In Louisiana. and
will be in the same boat with John Sher-
man whcn tho bottom facts in his case
are reached. Foster was the chief rep
resentative OF Hayes in the bargaining
by which the electoral count was completed at
the expense Of the very principles for which
tho great mass OF the Republican party was
willing to hazard civil war 1t is true that there
are ngood many Republicans who are rcstive un-
der this leadership. but they hesitate to disobey
the beck and nod Of the men who assume to
be the political as well as parliamentary leaders
Of their party. few men like Butler OF Mas
.achusetts Baker Of Indiana. Fort OF Illinois,
and Phillips of Kansas will not follow blindly
long. They want only n plausible prctoxt to
break away. and they will find It in the deter
mination OF Garfield. Hale. and Foster to fili-
buster in order to prevent the passage OF the
Potter resolution.
That this s the determination OF these men
and the wish Of the Fraudulent Administration
cannot be doubted. They had the resolutions
published this morning adopted by their eau
Gus Yesterday in order to give them an excuse
for nlibusterng after the Democrats got
quorum. They will say to Republicans who
are tired Of keeping up factious opposition
to the investigation. that they agreed
in caucus 10 declare that the Potter
resolution was unjustifable and Illegal.
and therefore revolutionary and destructive OF
the good order business prosperity. and peace
o, the country. II this is the true character Of
the Democratic movement. OF course 1t will not
b. changed by the admission OF the Hale
amendment II II is an unjustiiiabe. Illegal at
tempt to reopen the question OF the Presidential
t,t,c to inquire into the frauds IN Florida and
Louisiana. of course il will be still more unjus-
ii1abe and illegal to broaden the scope OF the
investigation. and attack. for instance. the re-
turn from South Carolina Having got their
party associates TO declare that the inquiry pro-
posed by the Democrats is revolutionary 1t fol-
lows that to be consistent they must oppose any
inquiry.
That this was the game OF Garfield. Hale. and
Foster is made apparent by two things particu
lary noticeable to-day. First an attempt was
made to bring some influence TO bear on weak
kneed Southern Democrats by having Keyscr.
the Vice President Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. come here and privately inveigh
against any agitation Of the Presidential title.
Keyser met with but little success. and did not
earn what he doubtless expects to get-in-
creased pay for carrying the mails
second. rcdoubed efforts have been made to
influence Southern Democrats by appealing to
their gratitude for what Hayes did TO relieve
Louisiana and South Carolina from carpet-bag
rule The tactics Of the Fraudulent Admins
tration are scarcely disguised. The money
power is TO be brought to bear. II possible. by
representing that business interests will be
endangered by a revolutionary investigation.
At the same time Southern Democrats are ap-
l.l hat ls..N Ita
part OF the bargain. and good faith demands at
their hands every effort to prevent an inquiry
into the means by which he obtained the Presi-
dency.
1t is due to the great body OF Southern Demo-
Gratis to say that they stand firmly by their
party. There are more Northern Democrats
named by Republicans as likely 10 break away.
bolt. from their party than Southern ones
Carter Harrison of Chicago is one OF the loudest
mouthed batherers about the danger Of ques-
tionng Hayes title. His arguments u simple
one. The business interests are opposed to
such course" he says. "and l can't be
reaected II the business interests Of my
district oppose me-" Bouck of Wisconsin
is another Northern Democrat who talks in the
same strain and Morse Of Massachusetts. while
less dcmonstrative is troubled in very much
the same way The Republicans who are op-
posed to an inquiry are constant in their atten-
tions 10 this class of Northern Democrats. The
hope OF Garfield. Hale. and Foster is that they
can hold their own party together solld and in
duee enough Democrats TO refuse 10 vote on
seconding the demand for the previous ques-
ton to practically defeat the Investigation.
II the recognized lenders OF the Republican
side wanted Only 10 widen the scope Of the in
ycstGaton, they could ret al they demand with
out another hours delay Mr.. Potter announced
repeatedly on Monday that, while he was not
willing 10 have his resolution amended. he and
his side of the House were perfectly willing 10
have another committee raised and instructed
TO inquire into anyand everything Hale and his
side might want investigated. This was not
mere clnprap. intended 10 70 To the country rs
reply IT, nae demand lnr nSW,eIng lnvestlGa-
ton. The high character OF Mr.. Potter wouldbe
snl sunlcl,ut answer 10 any sven ,hnInuN.Gn nl hs
nat u was said in good i9ith. IL was applaud
ed by the Demorra side. 1t would be ac-
ceptei almost unanimously by the Democratic
majority. There u Il sound reason why Mr.
Potter did not. and does not want his commit
te- instructed TO inquire into the eGnnduct Of me
never be- possibility Of finishing the work. 1t
The next session If Congress. Moreover 1t is not
tho purpose Of the Democrats to travel over the
Whor field Of inquiry even in Louisiana and
florlda. they propose 70 investigate certain
speciir allegations affecting few prominent
men who are chnrgcd with having corruptly
barealned with officials ip those States 10 re-
Hayes, regardless OF the will OF majority OF
the people. This they propose to follow with
ths proof that. after Hayes was counted In, he
Kept me bargains made ~ his name by his
personal representatives,. II they make good
thtse .aleEatlonS, II the evidence obtained es-
hbshes the charges made Of course impeach-
mont must follow II this il revolutionary. then
ne nndlng out and punishment OF any crime
mat reck less desperate dishonest public men
might commit would be destructive Of good
order. business prosperity. ana the peace OF tho
country"
The conduct OF the Republicans who are de-
termlned 10 prevent an Investigation NJ all haz-
hris Is revolutionary. They are oDstructing
public business and imperlling business in
terrsts by n course which is unquestonably
revolutionary. Filibusering by minority To
thWart tne majority of n legislative body ls only
Jlsllable IN certain grave emergencies. IL is
Alright. however, which no friend OF free in
stltuiions would desire TO see unduly abridged.
Still. II can be exercised onlywithin certain well
defined limits. The exercise OF any strictly
parliamentary eXpedient is justiahle. II Is
not lustahle for the minority To pcrs ist for
uays ~ refusing to vote On secOndinR the de-
Inand Tor the previous question. The rules OF
thr House compel "A memhor to attend unless
ne has leave Of absence. He can be sought in
the renotrst part OF the country, brought to the
par Of the House. and dealt with summarily for
hA Mult lie can be mnde to answer 10 his
name on every roll call. II is only on seconding
We demand for the previous question, when
llie yeas ana nays cannot be called. that he can
escape voting. One-hfth can order the yeas
ana other question. one