Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-26
Washington News.
From Special to Boston journal.
WAsHINGToN. March -. 1870.

REoRGANIzING THE SENATE.
The simple thing that the democrats had to
do this morning was to complete the organi-
cation of the Senate by dscharging the old
officers and appointing others in their places.
The democratic caucus leader indicated by the
assurance with which he spoke that this would
involve but the formal work of few minutes
The resultwas adebate of more than five hours,
which took the wide range of topics from the
war of the Rebellion until now. The most
remarkable fact of all was that the triumph
ant leaders of the majority were during all
these exciting hours pnt upon the defensive
and compelled 10 make TO the country an APP
ology, and to seek justification for their
course.
AN IMPORTANT DEBATE.
To an observer in the galleries the thought
certainly would never have occurred that An
thony Blaine and Conkling were the repre-
sentatives of the minority The debate was
one Of the most important and significant that
has occurred for many day in the Senate.
and was but precursor of similar great de-
bates to come Mr. Wallace, Chairman OF
the democratic caucus, furnished the text for
the debate by the presentation of the caucus
resolution that the Senate should proceed to
the election of officers.
DEMOCRATIC Folly DENouxcED.
To the surprise of the democrats at first,
and to their dismay afterward, Senator An
thony rose to protest against the change
Then in speech which exhibited great re-
search and minute knowledge of the early
history of the Senate, he traced the records
of the Senate officers from the foundation of
the government and showed that it had been
left to the democrats of to-day to disregard
the history Of the Seuate to violate its tradi-
tions, and to remove faithful officers without
cause.
The speech was delivered Ike one of those
eulogies for which the Senator is noted, and
while it was the obituary of republican Of
flee holders of the Senate. it was severe ar
ragnment Of the democracy for inconsist-
ency. Going back twenty years, to the time
when Mr.. Anthony first entered the Senate
Chamber, he drew a sketch of the officers of
the Senate he found there. some of whom
had then been twenty years in their places
and who, although democrats, the republicans
have continued for their knowledge and eff
cheney to this day. TO the surprise of the
democrats in the Senate, he presented a list
of thirty such officers, all democrats, and
many of them pronounced and aggressive
democrats, who have been permitted
10 retain their places through ALL the days of
republican rule
BAYARD PLACED IN AN AWKWARD PosITIoS.
1t was un unpleasant position in which Mr.
Bayard placed himself in attempting to reply
TO Mr.. Anthony. A professed civil service
reformer he voluntarily appeared as the apol-
orist Of the greatest violation of civil service
principles that has been witnessed in this gen
Grafton of American politics. 1t was painful
TO witness his embarrassed hesitatng attempt
to find justification for the democracy in spc-
ciOus excuses and in sermon ON civil ser
vice reform.
Senator Conkling took up the gauge Of bat
tie which Bayard had thrown down and laid
bare the Inconsistencies Of the democratic DO
sition. Bayard had been unfortunate enough
10 charge that Secretary Gorham was Secre-
tary of the Republican Campaign Committee
Conkling referred To the fact that John &.
Thompson of Ohio, Serge lnt-at- Arms of the
House, who had just been reelected. had
been Chairman Of the great Democratic Com
mittee OF Ohio. man, he said of grip and
gather, who guided the sword the blade of
which pointed everywhere but the hilt in the
hands of the Sergeant-at-Armso of the Hons.
of Representatives.
Bayard was still more unfortunate in re-
ferring to the fact that employees of the Dem.
ocratlc Senate Of lsGl had applied 10 him ia
be reinstated Conkling was quick to apulv
the reference which Bavard had inady.rtrn;.
ly made and replied To him in an mpa..ion.d
passage which those who heard it will no,
soon forget.
\ TELLING REPLY.
a. too" said Senator Conklinp. s.can,. :,
Washington in 1851 Abraham Lincoln called
me. II was time of great public exigenc,
and there were great many vacant seats in
the Senate. There were many vacant chairs
then that are occupied now. Those who had
them did not want them Then SO much Of
the Senate As remained after sedtion, priv,
conspiracy and rebellion proposed To fill tn.
vacancies, bat the Republican Senate thel
made bur one change and that on account o
treason to the flag, ana now the subordinate