The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-04
HOUSE.
Large Crowd Present-Hayes' Message
Read, and Elieits Considerable Discus-
sion-Mr. Wood Discusses the Presi.
dents Southern Policy.

sfon-Mr. Wood Discusses the Presi.
dents Southern Policy.
The galleries of the house to-day con-
tanned the customary crowd at the opening
of a session of congress. At noon Speaker
Randall raped the house TO order, when
the cha plain made prayer, and the roll was
called.
The roll call showed 229 members pres
ent.
Two new members-Bailey of New York
and Majors Of Nevada-then took the iron
clad oath.
Messrs. Atkins, Cox and Garfield were ap-
pointed to inform the president that con-
gress was in session.
After recess the presidents message was
received from Private Secretary Rogers, and
read.
When the reading of the message was end
ed Mr.. Wood of New York rose and moved
that 1t be referred TO the committee of the
whole house and ordered printed. But first
he desired to make some comments upon it,
although, as a whole, the document was
highly satisfactory; yet there were some
references in it which should be met at the
earliest practicable moment He referred
to that part relating to the southern states.
He Wood failed TO see where the president
saw any QlSpOSlLOD III Tue sOulu W dfOlu VI
an null in any degree the recent constitutional
amendments. He failed to see any indicE-
ton in the south, at any election, at any
time, under any circumstances, for series
of years of unwillingness to live in enti
amity with the whole country in regard 10
laws or to obey the government.
He regretted that the president, who
such a noble and patriotic position
as against the military despotism exercised
by his predecessor, should now indicate
change OF policy. He had watched with in
terest the course of the administration, in
order to see whether the president would be
forced from the manly aud noble position
taken by him. He knew that there was
wing of the republican party dissatisfied
with that position, and it had been a matter
of interest 10 the whole country 10 know
whether the president would continuously
maintain his attitude. While the president
expressed his views in very mild and very
decorous language, yet ne indicated quite
clearly that the condition of things IN the
south was not satisfactory to him. The pres
ident had referred especially to the elections
in South Carolina and Louisiana. He had
been able to single out two states, and only
two isolated instances in these states. That
was an indication of vacilation on the part
of the executive, and 1T was only
because it was such an indication that he
there was no foundation for the
allegation of wrong by the south. 1t was to
be regretted that while the presidents eyes
were open to the congressional elections In
South Carolina and Louisiana they were
closed to what occurred in the city of New
York on the 9Th of November, where 600
! legal voters were dragged to prison by gov
! eminent officials; where hundreds of them
were plunged into the viIest dens as common
prisoners, and where, besides those who had
! been arrested 10 600 other voters had been
! intimidsted, thus making a difference OF at
| least Is, 900 votes in the city OF New York In
| the last election. The president had not
seen that; the republican press OF New York
! had not told that to the president but ii had
| pointed him to the south. He (Wood) re-
| GREETED that the president had thought prop
| er to lend his high position TO reiteratlon OF
j Misrepresentation organized Tor him by the
republican press. He had the highest regard
! for the president, believing him TO be an
| honest and patriotic man. 1t was a matter
of profound regret that the president should
| permit himself to be an instrument in the
| hands of an ultra wing OF the republican
party.
Nj Garfield replied TO Mr.. Wood. He
| characterized il as very unusual to interrupt
| the ordinary form of proceeding, which was
simply to refer the presidents message and
order It's printing. by debating any of its
suggestions. and he thought the kind OF sug-
gestions made by the gentleman from New
York as still more unusual. The exact Ian
guage OF that part Of the message with which
the gentleman found fault was not in his
! (Garfield's) mind, but the gentleman's Ian
eusge was very plain. He (Woodl criticised
certain references in the presidents message
! as to some disturbances In the course OF
| federal elections In several states, contested
that with what he chose to call the noble
beginning OF the administration in favor OF
self government. and ssid that the president
has shown yacilliatioD, because he had seen
fit to refer to the disturbances In federal cleo
tions If the right of q state to attend to its
own local concerns undisturbed was
IN any way inconsistent with the right
| of the national government to attend to
national elections, and il that was what the
gentleman called vscillatIon, he hoped they
| should all vacillate IN that way. He (Gar-
field) bad never made himself particular
advocate of any administration for its vacil.
lation or want Of yacillatiop, but If the gen.