National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-06-18


Mr. McLANE said that the gentleman from Michi- |
gan made great mistake about the bill. II IN no
wise invaded the rights Of the people North or
South. II was intended to deal with one great |
source OF political corruption.
Mr.. DuNNFII When the Democratic party was |
III power did II ever propose TO pass such bill
Mr.. McLANE. When We get into power agan----
Mr.. DuNNELl. That Is too far IN the future. |
Laughter on the Republican side.l
MIR. MCLANE When we get into power again II
YOU put this law on the statute book we Will be
obliged 10 follow IT,
session.
Mr.. McLANE proceeded to argue that no greater
source of corruption existed in this country than
that assessment of onicc-hoders. 1t was the mean
est vice he had ever heard of in morals to tax tho
poor ni1e.hodes for what the gentleman from
Michigan and every other man who entered public
life ought TO take out Of his own pocket. lie as
sented that 5000 had been sent into the state OF
Michigan By the National Executive Republican
Committee. How much had gone into the district
OF the gentleman from Michigan (Mr Conger)Y
Mr. CONGER. Not q cent
Mr. McLANE thought that perhaps the gentleman
dare not nvow It, because he knew that no man
ought TO hold seat on the floor in the procuring
OF which any money had been used. lie explained,
IN answer to questions, that the bill did not intend
10 apply and did not apply, to pens oners OF the
government, but did apply TO all the great con
tractors with the Government. who had been as
sessod for the last fifteen years.
The gentleman from Michigan must have done
himself great injustice when he talked about inter
ference with something that he wanted TO do
Though he OR, McLane) had never given the
slightest consideration to professions OF political
reotitude and morality yet this was the first time
he had ever heard man glorying IN his own
shame and infamy. Applause on the Democratic
side Never before had he heard either Repub
lican or Democrat stand up and ayow himself the
champion and defender of political corruption and
vice. On the contrary he had never known man
so mean, so bad, so politically corrupt that he did
not want TO wash his skirts clear of such political
corruption The gentleman was blinded by his own
partisanshp and passion, and was like mad bull
when n red flag was Haunted IN his face.
When that gentleman said that he saw nothing
1pmOprutip House
corruption and secession Ia voice on the Repubii-
can side, "That is Ill there is!"l he did his people
great injustice. When the gentleman supposed
that his constituents would wallOw in the fraud
and corruption that he was willing to wallowin, he
was very much mistaken No man in Michigan,
in his senses, would ndorse the sentiment that
office holders should be made TO contribute for po-
He then branched off from the consideration of
the bill aud proceeded TO draw picture of Louis
Napoleon. holding in one hand the church, in the
other the state, and utterly Indifferent of civil
scTupulous careless of Human life careless ofeyery
moral principlo-that was Louis Napoleon. Need
he write horse" under That picture when applied
nize the American President who had been, and
who II the honorable gentlemen OH the other side
could have their way, would be again? lCres OF
" He will bel" and applause on the Republican
sidc.l
Mr. McLANE I" lie will be-" For shame, then, to
you il he is, and not only shame to you, but to this
country.
Continuing, he paid homage TO the military rec
the time of General Grant had he known of
President sitting in the White House who had had
at his side u corrupt, coniessedly corrupt Minis
ter, and who had, on the occasion of that Minister'S
resigning, accepted the resignation with regret"
Mr.. HAYES. Was the gentleman asleep when Blu
chunan and Floyd and Cobb and Thompson were
MIR. McLANE wonder al the gentleman making
such lame excuse. What has Buchanan or Floyd
or Thompson TO do with Grant?
Mr. HAYES. You said you never knew so corrupt
President. 81,
any such excuse. You cannot talk about Buchanan
and Floyd and Thompson, In the first place, Floyd
and Thompson indignantly denied the charges
made against them and defcd your investigations,
while on The other hand The guilt was confessed
and when not confessed was absolutely proven
and you are indebted to my iorbearnnce Tint do
not extend my picture. Shouts of " Go on!'l
Mr. MCLASE.' ! say, in all candor, you are in
dcbted to my forbearance IL stop nj the Secretary
of War, because you know rs well as do that 1t
did not lie in the mouths of any OF his associates to
call that kettle black
Continuing, he reproached the Republican party
with fostering corruption and vices. Tic issue was
before the country aud the issue was the present
bill lie was persuaded that II was no other mo.
tive but corrupt political motive which deferred
Mr. CoSGER. That is an Infamous assertion from
| the gentlemen, and l say II 10 him here In my
| A great deal of noise and confusion ensucd
| Messrs. lIawley and Manning demanding that the
| language of Messrs. Mclane and Conger should be
| taken down as unparamentnry.
The words were written by the official reporter and
| read by the clerk, and the Speaker having decided
that the language did not apply personally to any
| member in his representative capacity, Mr.. Nc
Lane was permitted to proceed with his speech in
| favor of the bill
| Mr.. BCTTERwoRTH asked Mr.. McLane If he would
| favor All amendment extending the bill 10 office.
| holders under State and municipal governments.
Mr.. MCLANE said he would not, because that
| would DO beyond the constitutional power Of Con-
| gTess. He would extend the principle us far as
| possible, and he doubted not that, The principle
being once established, the State governments " oud
| also act in the same direction.
The discussion was closed by n demand for the
| regular order OF business, and the bill went over
| til the morning hour tomorrow.
| The House then took up ms the unfinished bust.
| ness, the Senate bill in relation To lnries.
Mr.. HERBERT who has charge OF the bill, tried to
get the Republican side of the House to agree upon
| plan of disposing of the bill. butwus met by the
| objection that as the principle of the bill was en-
bodied in the Judicial appropriation Dill no nc.
ton should be taken until that bill was finally dis.
| posed OF. Thereupon Mr.. Herbert moved the pre-
vious question on the passage Of the bill, and the
declining to vote, and so leaving the House tech
nically without quorum. Amer various roll calls
further proceedings for a call of the House We're
| dispensed with. A conference committee, consist.
ing of Mcssrs. Atkins. BlOunt, and Baker was ap-
pointed on the legislative appropriation bill
| The attempt 10 have action taken OH the bill in
relation to j,res was again taken up and again re-
sisted, and amer about two hoursspen In the srug'
| gle. II was abandoned by some Democrats, and the
| House, at $40, adjourned.
/