Daily globe., 1879-04-03
House of Representatives..


WASHINGTON, April 2.-An effort was made
by Mr.. Sparks to fix time for closing debate
on the army appropriation bill. Suggestions
were made to have a night session, to restrict
speeches to fifteen minutes and to close TIE de-
bate Tomorrow, but objection was made to all
propositions, Mr.. Conger stating that number
of gentlemen on both sides have given notice
of their desire to speak; also many have pre-
pared speeches and would not like to be re-
sLrlcted to fifteen minutes; also that but few
members would be present at the night session.
On both sides it was declared that there was no
desire to shut off debate, aud the speaker gave
it as his experience that unlimited debate was
the shortest debate. A motion of MIR.
Stephens that stnraav vote be otad taken do at
Finally, on motion of Mr.. Dunuell, of Min
nesota, all genersl debate was ordered closed
at 8 o'clock Friday, leaving the five minute de-
bate still open. The House then went into
committee of the whole.
WILLIAMS, OF WISCONSIN.
The debate WAS opened by Mr.. Williams, of
Wisconsin, who stated that two things were
absolutely impossible-purity of the ballot
box and peace at the polls. If it required all
the State and general government, that power
should be exercised, whether it be put forth
under national Or State jurisdiction. He had
heard much talk about bayonet government,
but he knew of no government which did not
rest ultimately on the bayonet. Who
talked about government without that final
ultimate resort in case of resistance to civil
law. talked about Ethiopia.
He knew of no bayonet rule in this country
except what had put down one of the most
wicked and cruel rebellions that has ever dis
graced the earth. which had denied his
Southern friends the sociable pastime of shoot
ing negroes. Ever since 1864 the Republican
party Lad been tripping over chip, because
then for the first time that party had begun to
acquiesce in the non-performance of the laws
of the country.
He contended there was no place where the
President had not the right to send troops,
whether to the polls or to the church of Christ.
He admitted that it was not pleasant sis ght to
voters mass at the polls within lines cf
bayonts, but neither 1t pleasant to see
voters assailed by roughs with bowie knives
and rev"lvers. He differed from the gentleman
from Ohio, Garfield, in his opinion that the at
polls was fight on the skirmish lines. He,
Williams, regarded it as the center of the whole
question of federal authority and nationa
perpetuity. The statute which it was proposed
to repeal had been passed in 1865, at the rin,e
it was but question of time when the brave
boys of the North should come marching home
again. Home, it is true, to land filled will
broken and pleading hearts, but to land de
voted to liberty, and dedicated to law. Tha
law remained on the statute book, and there
unQer GOO, so Tar aS the hepuOllCan party Wa
concerned, it should remain forever.
TowNsHEND.
Mr.. Townshend, of Illinois, spoke on the Dem
ocratic side. He dl:'n't know by what authori
ity Mr.. Garfield spoke when he iutimated tba
bills would not receive the sanction of the
President; but if the prophecy to be veri
fed, there was 10 man So blind or prejudicet
as not to know that their failure was due t
the President. If the government to b
starved the responsibility for that was not t
be laid at the door of the Democratic party.
In answer to the charge, it is revolutionary fo
the Democratic majority in Congress to plac
amendments on appropriation bills in regar
TO the election laws. Townshend cited the his
tory of such legislation in Congress as enacte
by the Republican party, and said that if
was revolutionary that party responsible
for the precedent. Legislation of simia
character was i'm posed on the army appropria
ton bill in 1857, by the Republican House
which eventuatsd in an extra session. Th
Republican Congress of 1867 inserte
legislation in the army bill strir
ping President johnson of hi
in 1872, under the leadership of Garfield in tn
House. one of the provisions in regard to supe
visors of elections was inherited in the sundr
civil appropriation bill. Garfield, in 1872 d
nounced the Democratic minority for opposir
the will of the Republican majority in securr
such Iegisiatlon' tnen oenounclns tnelr act
revolutionary as he now denOunces their our
as revolutionary in enacting such legislatit
against the will of the minority. The fir
expression of the people the issue befo
Congress was given in Chicago yesterday by tt
election of Democratic mayor and 9th
officer for the first time in twenty years.
Townshend) regards the issue solely one of fl
elections and impartial justice.
CALKINs.
Mr.. Calkins took the position that in eve
case where State refused or failed or negle,
ed to fully protect the citizen, it was the rig
Of that citizen to call on the government