The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-03-31

XLVI CONGRESS.
Garfield Whines Pitaous1y.
HOUSE,

WASHINGTON, March 29.-Mr. Garfield
argued against the policy Of the democratic
party 10 congress, declaring it to be utterly
revolutionary and tending to subversion of
the government. The pending PROPOSE,
ton was a simple statement and most in.
offensive. Still, when it was demanded as
matter of coercion it had to be resisted.
1t was not against the proposition it
self, but against democratic methods
that he spoke, and what was the law on
the repeal of which the democrats now
insisted at the very peril of the nations
life. 1t was law proposed by demo-
cratic Senator, Powell of Kentucky, re-
ported against by the republican commit
tee and passed in both houses by
a majority of democratic votes. He
named as voting for it Senators Hendricks,
DAVIS, of Kentucky, johnson. of MARYLAND
Mcdowell, of California, and among the
democratic Representatives Randall, of
Pennsylvania, Wood, Of New York, snd
Pendeton, of Ohio. We pick up the
gage of battle which you have thrown down
and will appeal to our common sovereign,
the people, to say whether you shall break
| down the principle Of free consent in legis-
lation at the price of starving the govern
ment to death. We are ready to pass
these bills for the support of the govern
ment at any hour when you will offer them
in the ordinary way, and If you will offer
these other measures as seperate measures
We will meet you 10 spirit Of fraternal
debate, but you shall not compel US; you
shall not coerce US, even to save this
| government, until this question has gone
to the soYereigns to determine whether
they will consent to break down any OF
its voluntary powers, and on that ground
we plant ourselves.
Mr.. McMahon said the gentlemen on the
other side improved every opportunity
that offered to read the gentlemen on hi!
iside lecture as to their past and presen
conduct. That sentiment was re-echoeC
to the partisan press. He wanted to know
where these gentlemen had received thei
authority to hold over southern gentlemen
that the feelings created by the war wer
not yet pacifed? 1fitwas not,competentfo 70
southern men to be admitted TO the foo
of the house with the full right of Yotin
, on vital questions as their Judgment die
, tated, then the war for the Union was
! failure. 1t came with i'll grace from an
|, republican to say that provision was i'm
, proper because it was put upon an apprC
priation bill. The republicans themselve
! had passed many measures in the sam
. way. 1t had never been considered revC
lutionary, but on the contrary as a proteC
ton against arbitrary power to attach les
islation On appropriation bills. The GEN
ocrats wanted the jury box purified, th
!. use Of troops at the polls prohibited, al
! the repeal of that most infamous OF a
!, measures, which put it in the power {
! marshals aud their deputies to corrupt th
= ballot box and intimidate voters.
= A long political discussion followed,
= which Messrs. Wood, Sparks and Whit
= were participants. The debate will be n
, !, sumed Tuesday, Mr.. Belford, of Colorad
y having the floor.
a Before adjournment the speaker al
. nounced the appointment of the Cincinna
i committee, Mr.. Mcmahon having decline
;' to act, as Messrs. Carlisle, Kenner, NeV
: Sanford, Conger, Brown and Robinson,
- Massachusetts.