Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-15

kings.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion, and when the doors were reopened,
Senator Blaine submitted substitute for
the silver bill, of which he gave notice several
days ago, when he addressed the Senate, the
provisions of which he then explained.
Adjourned.
House of Representatives..
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-The Speaker laid
before the House communication from the
Secretary of the Treasury, stating that the
internal revenue of the government had
fallen off $4,969, COO, principally on account
of the agitation in regard to the tax on to-
bacco and whisky, and recommending the
House to take immediate action on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Gibson, rising to a question of privi-
lege, said he repudiated the intinlation or
suspicion by any representative of having
been engaged in any bargain in regard to the
presidency, which reflected on the honor of
that State. He had differed from his col
leagues in supporting the electoral bill, and
he had advocated strongly the policy of ad
herring to the bill framed by the committee
appointed for that purpose. He had felt that
that bill was great measure in the interest
of peace, of honor, and of the welfare of
the country, and, representing people
whom he knew to be law-abiding people,
who preferred to abide by the forms of law,
he had not hesitated to give the electoral
commission his sanction. He had
been gratifed to see that the action of
Southern men on that question in standing
up for law and union, had excited in the
breasts of the Northern people sentiment
of confidence in the constituencies and States
of the South, sentiment which had been a
stranger to that people for more than quar-
ter of century. He felt that it was in the
interest that he represented, that his State
had no part in the Union separate from the
interests of the whole country, and he had felt
that whatever redounded to the the interests
of the whole country, would secure the hap
piness and prosperity of Louisiana. He had
seen at that time the President declaring in
unequivical terms that the time had come
when he had made up his mind no longer to
uphold military commander in New Or
leans. He had felt assured that no bargain
was necessary, that no private understanding
was necessary to secure the people of the
South in their rights. He had felt gratifed
when he read the inaugural address of Pres
dent Hays, and when he had seen that gen
tleman call to his chief cabinet position a
gentleman whose voice had as emphatically
| declared his opposition to military govern
| ment iu the South. He referred to Mr.. Ev-
arts, as well as to the leader of the Demo
cratic party himself, Samuel J. Tilden. He
referred to the visit of statesmen to New Or
leans, and stated that he himself had pictured
70 4l,a 81
rule in Louisiana, and they had advised the
President that he could without imperiline
any interest, withdraw the troops. He sent
to the clerks desk and had read the resolu-
| tons of the Louisiana Legislature, endorsing
President Hayes policy, and declaring that
Nichols government would discountenance
any political prosecution. That was the only
transactions that he was acquainted with. He
knew of no agreement, he knew of no under
standing. Those resolutions spoke for them.
selves, and showed that Governor Nichols
and the Legislature pledged themselves to {
rigid enforcement of the laws. This was
being done at the present time in regard t.
one of the members of the returning board
who for violation of the State law, for the
commission of misdemeanor. is being hell
| for trial in one of the State courts. He saw
nothing extraordinary in that spectacle ex
cept the enormity of the offense. The pro
ceedings of that event had been in accord
ance with the criminal practice and crimina
law of Louisiana.
Mr.. Hall-Does the gentleman sustain til,
i prosecutions that have been and are now go
ing on against the returning board?
Mr.. Gibson-H the men have been guilt,
of any violation of the laws of that State
the authorities are perfectly right in prose
cutting them.
Mr.. Hall-Then the gentleman does no
discourage it?
M. Gibson-Does the gentleman mean t,
say that he thinks it is not right to prosecut
them?
Mr.. Hall-Does the gentleman ask what
think? I think the whole proceeding is tn
4 greatest outrage which has ever occurred il
4 American history, because believe it to b
4 political persecution under the guise of
process of law. Derisive laughter on TIL
j Democratic side.
Mr.. Gibson do not yield to the gentle
man to denounce the people of the State o
Louisiana. Since have been on this foo
the gentleman from Maine has omitted n
occasion to denounce the people of Louisiana
have treated his former denunciations as
i treat this-with the contempt which the
merit. He went on to say that the proceed
], ings of the courts of Louisiana were in cor
formity of law, and with the law Of til,
! State, and he desired to know on whs