The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-25
Wednesdays Debate.
The Discussion in the senate and House
The Scheme TO Ousf Union Soldiers
Campaign Documents.

Wednesday morning in tie Senate was coz
sumed in sharp and spicy discussion on the
Democratic proposition to sunmarily oust out
the subordinate officials of that body without
complying with the rule adopted twenty-five
years ago, and obeyed ever since, which re-
quires the consent of the president of the Senate
to all dismissals made by the secretary and ser.
geant-at-arms. The Democrats as usual. avoided
the debate as much as possible, and there ap.
peared to bs q preconcaftsd arrangement to
permit the Republican Senators to monopolize
debate, and the Democrats submitted to the
severe taunts and criticisms of Edmunds and
Oonkling with meekness that was aston
ishing. The amendments OF Senators Psndle-
ton and Wallace having been adopted bys
large majority: Mr.. Edmunds offered another
amendment which provided that Lo Union SOL
der should be removed without due cause sub
mitted In writing to the Vice President for his
approval. Considerable commolion followed
among the Democrats, who have recently
evinced nervousness whenever any sllusion is
made to the rights of Uuion soldiers. Mr. Wal
lace, Chairman of the Democratic caucus COM
mittee, and upon whom devolves the task of
acting as spokesman of the party upon politi-
been removed from office, nor did be believe
that any would be. Mr. ConkliDg after ex.
pressing bis surprise at this declaration, said
that one Union soldier had already been re-
moved. Mr.. Wallace demanded his name. and
Mr.. ConkliDg said it was Mr.. Fltz, the efficient
bill clerk in the Secretary's office, who was dis
missed from his post for no assigned cause.
Mr.. Fitz had been soldier in the Union army,
and had been honorsbly discharged for injuries
received while in the service Before Mr..
Conkling could proceed further Senator Thur
man, who was in the chair, arose, and, inter-
rupting him, denied that be bad approved of
any removals since he had become presldipg
officer of the Senate. Mr.. Conkling replied
that in spite of this announcement of MIR.
Thurman, Mr.. Fitz had received formal notice
that his services would not be required after
Monday. MIR. Wallace then broke in with the
cid argument about the rights of the maioritv
and their determination to control affairs AZ
they deemed proper. Senator Conkling was
proceeding to plead the cause Of the Union SOL
diers who have been in the employ of the Sem
ate for 80 many years, and who, as he said, had
fought to preserve the republic at the time that
those who now proposed to discard them were
IN arms against 1t, but his remarks were cut
short BY the expiration of the morning hour The
Democrats express themselves dissatisfied with
Senator Wsllace's political management and
. large number of them are in favor of placing
their interests in better hands. They say that
through his blnndering the Republicans will
make one OF the strongest points against the
Democrats. Senator Conkli0g omitted to state
that the successor of Mr.. Fitz is an ex Confed-
crate major, appointed at the request of the
Texas senators, both of whom served in the
confederate army 1t is also fact that among
those who have received notice of dismissal are
two Others who served in the Union army.
The maiden effort of Cerro Gordo Williams
oio not reallze the great expectations Of his au-
dlence, and the Democrats were particularly
disappointed, especially as they had hoped that
he would cure much Of the mischief which has
been done by the speeches of Blackburn and 9TH
er Kentucky extremists; but, so far from realiz-
ing this hope, General Williams opened by say
ing ne and his associates in treason had no apol-
ogies to make for the part they took in the late
war. They bad fought like neu and followed
the bonnie blue flag" until it had been buried
with all the honors of war, and he was not
ashamed OF what be had done. This declara-
ton, uttered with glowing enthusiasm, rather
startled the Democrats, who could in conceal
their cbsgriD. Mr.. Williams followed this up,
by stating that the Confederate brieadiers in
Congress were the most conservative men in
both houses, and that the extremists and mis-
cher makers we're those who had stayed at
home and thrived on the miseries and misfor-
tunes OF others. During this part of his speech
he nxed his gaze sternly on Mr.. Blaine, leav-
ing no loom TO doubt that when he made this
sluslon to non-combatants he had him in his
mind. Mr.. Blaine was not at all dlsconcerted.
but smiled contemptuously at the speaker, Gen.
ersl Williams, who has a weakness for rster-
ring to his services in the Mexican war, next
braDched out Ia an i'm passioned strain upon
the illustrious and gallant conduct of the army
In Mexico. taking good care to include Cerro
Gordo, stter which battlefield he is ncknamed
The rest OF his speech was upon the legal and
constitutional questions at issue He con.
cluded by paying high tribute to tie Demo-
cratic party, which he said had lived to drop
tear on the tomb OF the old Wbig party, the
most respectable OF all its rivals, and it would
yet live 10 strew flowers upon The grave of the
party founded by the late Williani Fl. Seward.
"Look", he said in conclusion, "upon that
grand, old party which stands like an oak
tree whose branches extend toward heaven
and whose roots. God-made, are deep-sesed
10 the hearts Of the American people.'
After this poetic peroration be was
surrounded by bevy of Kentucky Congress-
men, who almost sntfocated the speaker with
their praises. To Senator Jones Of Florida be-
longs the credit of having made the longest
speech OF the series; but, what was more re-
mark able still, his immense VOICE held out to
the last The days discussion ended by q
lively passage, during which Mr.. Blaine sue.
c@ssfully engaged. siDgle-haEded, the entire
Democratic side, including the president pro
tenl., and, as usual, came off VICTORIOUS.
The two notable speeches in the House we're
those of Mr.. Frye and ex-Secretsry Robesop.
The former had only five minutes, 10 which he
stated the heads OF bis speech, and gave notice
that it would appear in full in the Record.
The points which he presented were of great
interest to Republicans, and in the coming
Campaign will prove a serious embarrassment
to the democratic speakers, since the speech
sets forth SO clearly the absolute necessity of
election laws to an honest election iD the city
of New York. MIR. Robeson unq questionably
delivered the strongest constitutional argument
10 opposition to the doctrine of States Rights,
and in support of the national idea in our gov
eminent, that has yet been made In either
house, 1t held the undivided attention Of
Republicans and Democrats fer two hours.
IL was strong, com pact and logical argument
abounding at the same time in passages Of
great eloquence.