The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-24
waSk<UE tOn.

sAssIxaTED, &C., sc.
,,s.. Washington.
rr,sssEn DEBATE ~ nHE HOUSE ON THE LEoIs.
rsssyE BILL-TRE SENATE offiohho
aaauS-THE ARsfT BILL-AFTER NE"sfA'
PER CORRESPONDENT WITH SHARP srlch-
GOVERNOR wsETs TO RETIRE FRoA FhE
sESATE--PERS1NAL, &C.
from orr Regular Correspondent
!. WAsnINGroS April 23.-The feature OF
The debate on the political sections OF the
legislative bill to-day in the House was the
spcech of extSecretary Robson, one OF the
ablest men on the Republican side. be
took his stand IL front OF the Speaker, ana
had near him desk covered with law
books. lie sal ID he intended to make legal
and constitutional reply to the positions so
boldly, so ably, aud so fairly maintained by
gentlemen on the other side. He and they
aInereu AIS to prcmiaeN, because while inc
Democratic speakers had regarded this as a
confederation Of sovereigntes, be believed
il to be moi league or confederation Dlt Il
Government sovereign in It's nature--a gov
eminent not OF States hut Of the people
acting directly upon the rights and pro-
perry OF the people. Tie was free to ac-
knowledge that all the powers fthe Govern
ment were found written in the Constitution,
and that nothing must be claimed or eXer-
cised that is not written in that instrument.
1t has exercised the right OF eminent do
main, he sold, under the sanction III the ou-
preme Court, citing the case in Cincinnati,
where it took private property for post
Office. Under the Dred-Scott decision it
was held, he said. that the United States
had no citizens, there being only citizens OF
States; but under the fourteenth amend
ment there are citizens OF the United States.
Here the eX.SccrcSary got into deep water,
and was not clear even to Republicans. lie
rallied, however, by quoting the lines about
omen who know their rights, and, know
inc, dare maintain" lie meant, it was evil
dent, to take the EXTREMIST possible Federal
Dosition. and succeeded. Mr.. Carlisle Tould
shake his head every oncein while mt some
claring constitutional hercsy, and had to
correct his quotations from the Constitu-
ton. He claimed that when right was
granted the Government, then it carried
with it the power TO enforce it, for what Is
the use of 4 stcam-cnginc if you are not to
use steam 10 propcl it. He quoted from al
article OF Dir. Madison in the fcdcrGLi$t,
and, as correspondent remarks, call tue
speakers on both sides quote from Ar.
Madison, and declare that they arc in pei
feet accord with his wise opinions III re-
gard to the CONSTITUTIONS" In fact, Mr.
Tucker here rose ard said "that nothing
Err. Robson read from Mr.. Madison was in
conflict with the views Of his speech the
other day, but he did not sanction the state
mcnt OF Mr.. Madison's opinions rs suisse
qucntlv given by the gentleman from New
Jersey" At the expiration OF his tine
Mr.. Robson, on motion OF A1r. Carlisle, was
pemitted to 80 on until he had completed
what be had to say. Ii tue question
had been from the beginning discussed
as Messrs. Robson and Carlisle discussed
it there would have been less bad feeling in
Congress. However, it seems to me that
on both sides begin TO sec that the speakers
who adhere closely to law and fact attract
all the attention and produce all OF the effect.
Mr.. Finley. Of Ohio, followed in speech in
regard to the appointment of marshalS, the
character and number OF the men appointed,
with an account of their partisan acts OF
oppression and injustice.
THE SENATE OFFICERS TO BE APPOINTED BY
THE SECRETARY AND SERoEANT-AT-ARMS.
The Senate yesterday indicated that it
means to resciud the rule which requires
the consent of the Vice-Prcs!dent in case
Of the removal OF the minor officers. and
give the Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms
full power TO appoint these officers. The
Republicans have fought hard against The
change, because they hated to give UP
power and patronage; but they had to
yield to the inevitable. To-day Mr. Grafton
Tyler, Of Georgetown, was appointed
Capitol policeman, and Mr.. Furman was
appointed clerk OF General Ransom's Rail
road Committee.
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE ON TIE ARMY
BILL.
Mr.. Blaine's amendment has been for
DAYS the pending question, but as no
BODY. not even himself, spoke to it, he to-
dav withdrew it. Senator Withers wanted
the Senate to agree to close the debate to-
but Mr.. ConkliDg said three more
had informed him that they
wanted to speak, and lie himself desired to
submit few remarks he, therefore, hoped
the matter might be left open, and it was.
Senator Williams, OF Kentucky, was the
first speaker. and although he had manu-
script before him rarely referred TO it. His
Of the Democratic side of the
question was clear and strong. and his man.
ner was animated. He said that the pres
ance OF Confederate Drigadiers in Congress
showed that the war is over. and II there
were more Union brigadicrS it would be bet
ter, for the men who fought bravely III war
are now those most sin cerely anxious to
establish and maintain peace and goodwill
throughout the land. He thought as long
MS Confcderatcs are permitted to sit in the
Cabinet and on the Federal bench without
a test-oath being required OF them that
plain Confederate ought OF to be kept out
OF the Jurors box because they cannot take
it. Senator Jones of Florida, who is good
lawyer and strong debater, followed in a
speech full of good sense. When Lord
Roscoe speaks lie will be thoroughly pre-
parnd and will dpo,y /, l,;,, .rora