The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-02-27
THE FIGHT IN WASHINGTON.
Discipline and Determination Of the DEM
ocrats and Rage of tho Radicals in the
Matter OF the Political Amendments to
tho Civil Appropriation Bill.
Correspondence of the Meus and Courier.

Correspondence Of the Netrs and Courier.
WASHINGTON, February 20.
In the House yesterday the anticipated
fight between the two parties over the
amendments proposed by the Democratic
caucus commenced. The Democrats
looked in better condition and discipline
than on any occasion during the session,
and yet seemed to have no special leader.
On the other hand the Republicans ap-
peared to lack spirit, and their leader,
Eugene Hale, did not show his usual
defiance. The first amendment consider
ed was that of Herbert, of Alabama, en-
bracing a repeal of the jurors test oath,
and Mr.. Thurman's plan for recognizing
the Federal jury system so as to give
Democrats an equal show with Republi-
cans. On this Conger displayed his usu-
al bitterness, and urged that Section S21
be retained in order to make what he de-
nominated treason odious and keep trail
tors in condition Of restraint. During
the delivery of his provoking remarks the
Democrats kept their temper, and gener-
ally acted like troops ordered not to fire
even though the enemy be in sight.
Judge Elan, of Louisiana, however,
calmly told him there could be nc recon.
ciliation while this section remained up
on the statute books, and Messrs. Ellis, OF
Louisiana, and Manning. Of Mississippi,
called the attention of the House to the
fact that while the test oath is required
ofjurors, there are q number of United
States judges in the South who cannot
take that oath because they served in the
Confederate army. The speech of the
debate on this amendment, however, was
that Of
JUDGE KELLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA,
who, as a Republican, declared that it is
a disgrace to she country that this section
remains unrepealed. It protects nobody
in his rights, and is, he said, an anomaly
in legislation. He wanted to know why a
test oath should be required of juror
when we permit man to be President
or member of Congress who cannot
take it, and actually now have a most
respectable postmaster-general who was
in the Confederate army. Judge Kelley
was loudly applauded by the Democrats
and the galleries., and seemed pleased
at the compliment.
Mr.. Blackburn, who was in the chair,
having overruled the point of order rails
ed by Mr.. Hale, the amendment was
adopted, and Conger's proposition voted
down. The proceedings so far we're COM
paratively tame, but they became live
lier when the next amendment abolish
ing supervisors of election and deputy
marshals came up.
LITTLE EUGENE MAKES A BOLD THREAT.
Mr.. Hale raised the same point of or
der, but said he did it with no hope of
success after what had occurred, because
the Democrats were carrying out the
mandates of caucus, which reminded
him of the committee of safety of the
French revolution that assumed to dis
pose of matters, even involving life and
death. He gave notice, however, that
the Republicans intend to fight this
amendment to the bitter end, and that
he, their leader, meant to exhaust every
parliamentary device which ten years Of
experience had given him to prevent its
passage. The Democrats keep perfectly
cool in spite of this announcement; but
Mr.. Atkins, the chairman of the appro-
priation committee, this morning declar-
that he would permit no bill to pass until
the legislative bill is disposed Of.
FERNANDO WOOD THROWS BoMBsHELLs
INTO THE REPUBLICAN CAMP.
Mr.. Wood very quietly called the at
tention of the House to the fact that in
1875 Mr.. Garfield was chairman of the
committee on appropriations, and Eugene
Hale next in command, and that they re-
ported an appropriation bill with amend
ments infinitely less.germane than these
how objected to. Among these were Sec
tions providing for the sale Of the Phila-
delphia navy yard, authorizing the secre-
tary of the treasury to sell bonds for the
benefit of the sinking fund, regulating
the election of members Of Congress, &c.
Mr.. Blackburn ruled the point of order
as to the second amendment also not we'll
taken, and Mr.. Southland, Of Ohio, showed
that these supervisors of election and
deputy marshals are
AGENTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,
who are paid out of the treasury to bull
doze and intimidatc honest voters. They
cost 100000 at every election, and were
created by the Republican party during
a reign Of terror, by means of legislation
engrafted upon an appropriation bill. Mr..
Southland spoke from a Northern stand
point, using strong and plain English to
expose the enormity of the election laws
it was sought to repeal. He replied most
pointedly to the remark Of MIR. Hale,
who had said that Democratic Senator
had pronounced this movement Irregular
and revolutionary. A number Of Demo-
Gratis and Republicans continued the de-
bate without any great excitement. until
Gen. Garfield charged that Mr.. Black
burn had been put in the chair by
Democratic caucus and his rulings were
III obedience to their directions. This
raised the ire of the gallant Kentuckian,
and he went on the floor and had the
official report of the offensive remarks
read. He then asked the member from
Ohio if he stood to the report as read.
Mr.. Garfield disclaimed anything often
sive, whereupon Mr.. Blackburn denied
that any member of the caucus had ever
approached him in regard to what his
rulings would be.
DEMOCRATS TELEGRAPHED FOR.
The House adjourned last evening
without reaching vote, and the report
was that the Republicans intended to-
day to refuse to vote so as to prevent
uuorum. The Democrats. to be ready