The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-20
WASHINGTON.
THE DEBATE IN CONGRESS ON THI
REPEAL OF THE SUPER
VISOR LAW.
The Radicals Lose Their Temper and Be-
come Violent G0od Effects 0f Their
Violence on the Democrats.


Especial Correspondence OF the Democrat
WASHINGTON. Feb. 19.-The two parties In the
House fairly locked horns to-day on Southard's
amendment to the appropriation bill repeating
the Federal supervisor law. In order that the
scope Of this amendment may be definitely un-
derstood It should be remarked that 1t does not
repeal the Federal election law entirely. but only
those portions OF 1t under which the present
diabolical crusade Is being carried on. namely:
Sections 2oi1 to 2022 inclusive pages 35i, a5s and
356. second edition Revised Statutes.
Mr.. Sou'hard offered his amendment about Q
O'Clock this afternoon. the house having re-
pealed the test oath without material opposi-
ton. and being In Q mmittee OF the whole de-
bate was limited. therefore. by the Ave minutes
rule, The House was Immediately thrown into
fierce wrangle. At first the Democrats led of
cautiously and betrayed some signs Of hest
fancy. but Powers of Maine. Hanna of Indiana.
and several other Radicals who were defeated
at the last election. made violent speeches,
which served to rouse the Democrats to a
sense OF drty far more effectually than any
thing else could have done.
Hanna was peculiarly violent He declared
that the movement to repeal the supervisor law
was the beginning Of q new rebellion; that 1t
was smother stab at the life Of the Union by the
still reeking hand Of treason. and all that sort
OF Internal North Methodist rant. He pranced
about the floor and fairly howled that the de-
sign OF the amendms mt was to prevent the In
dictment and imprisonment of certain Demo-
cratic members elect to the next House. thus
Inadvertently contessing all that has been
charged. OF a Radical conspiracy to capture the
organization OF the next House.
The effect Of this TRADE on the Democrats
was fairly electric. Men who had been timid or
wavering came sauarely to the front and Demo
cratic ranks closed up like the Macedonian pha-
lanx. 1t Is exceedingly fortunate for the people
OF the States. elected for persecution and for
the cause OF free government generally, that
the debate opened with such violence on the
part Of the Radicals. 1t is also lucky that this
violence should have proceeded as 1t did exclu-
sively from men repudIated by their constitu-
ents at the last election. and In most cases men
defeated. not by Democrats but by Greenback-
ers and Nationals.
Garfield followed In great passion. quoting
from recent articles on the subject. and cbarg-
ing that Blackburn. who is chairman OF the
committee of the whole. was ruling points OF
order In obedience to the dictates Of caucu .
and that the caucus was inspired by mandates
Of reckless partisan newspaper writer's inti-
mating that Blackburn was ruling unfairly.
This brought Blackburn out OF the chair to
repel the insiDuations and force Garfield to re-
tract. which he did
Contrary to general expectation. the House
adjourned as usual tonight, leaving the great
fight for constitutional liberty and freedom of
the ballot to be resumed tomorrow. To- days
debate has cemented the Democratic party In
the House together like a wall OF adamant.
During six years have never seen such per-
feet accord In Democratic ranks on all aues-
tions. nor such grim determination to fight 1t
out to the bitter end as prevailed among Demo-
Gratis here. Bayard and his poor counsels Of
timidity are as little needed here now as the
chirp Of q cricket would have been In the crisis
OF Waterloo.
The fight Is almost certain to run through the
week and perhaps to the end OF the session.
The Radicals to-day thoroughly unmasked
their animus and purpose to use this law fol
their most desperate and criminal partisan
ends. There Is no danger OF backdown
on the part OF the Democrats. Every effort Is
being made to secure the retul of absent men,
bers. and by to. morrow night there will be a
quorum Of Democrats here. so that the Radical
plan OF filibustering by refusing to vote will be
defeated. A.C. B.