Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-06-07
TELEGRAPHlC.
The Senate Engages in Sharp
Colloquy of Words
On the Question of Regulating
the Jurors Test Oath.
The Bill Finally Passed by a
Strict Party Vote.
And Now Another Veto May be
Expected.
XLVI CONGRESS.
XLVI CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June 5.

WASHINGTON, June D.
Mr.. Bayard then spoke at length
in support of the bill. He con-
demned the action of the Presi-
dent in criticising, as he had done
in the veto message, the methods
and practices of Congress, and said
it was not incumbent upon the
President to interest himself in
parliamentary reform. He then
referred to the Federal jury laws;
explained their making and pointed
out the absurdity Of allowing a
Confederate to hold the highest of
fees under the Government, at
the same time excluding them from
the jury box. The present bill, he
said, was framed to secure perfect
impartiality for the information of
juries who try political cases, where
such impartiality is of the greatest
Importance. He said the veto pow
er was given the President to pre-
vent the passage of bad bills through
inadVertance or design. Such was
not the case with the present bills.
They represent the sober second
thought of the American people,
and the people will finally be called
to pass judgment upon the issue
now raised. In the meantime the
first duty of the majority is to
supply everything needed for the
support of the Government, but
our duty is not to be taught US by
harrassing, obstinate Executive. 1t
is an obligation 4eetina W
virtue of our oaths..
Mr.. Bayard then said the effort
to misrepresent the Democratic
party by asserting that it in
tended to cripple the Government
would be futile, he would not be-
long to a party adopting such a
course. "But," he asked, "shall it
be said that man, accidentally and
wrongfully vested with the enormous
powers which have accumulated
around the Executive office, has
succeeded in placing this great party,
with all its patriotic objects and in
terests, in the position of suspicion
and doubt before their fellow couns
trymen ? 1t will require two to
make that issue. 1t would be false,
dishonest and untruthful attempt
to slander his neighbors. The
Government shall be supplied with
everything needful for a vigorous
and just exercise of every constitu>
tional power; but no obstruction of
the Executive, 10 unfair political
opponent, shall pervert the true or
raise false issues between US and
our country.
Mr.. Edmunds then moved to
amend the pending bill by the ad-
dition of a clause prohibiting the
exclusion from jury service in
any State or Federal court of any
duly qualified person on account of
race, color or previous condition of
servitude.
This led to half humorous col
loquy between Messrs. Hill, of
Georgia, and Conkling, and short
speech by the latter.
Mr.. Thurman remarked that the
gentleman (Conkling) had perhaps
read of the celebrated English
statesman who said he acquired elo-
quence by speaking every day and
on every subject for the first year
of his career, and was initiating the
latter's example.
After the debate the amendment
was rejected.
Several other amendments were
proposed and discussed in desul>
tory manner, and the Senate ad-
journed without action on the bill.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 6.
Mr.. Coke asked Mr.. Bayard,
Chairman of the Finance Com
mittee, what action had been taken
on the Warner Silver bill. He
said he had understood that the
committee had agreed to postpone
its consideration until December. |
Mr.. Bayard said he did not feel
to say what had taken
place in the committee. He would |
only say that no member had been
instructed to report on the bill.
Mr.. Coke then said that his sense
IF duty had led him to offer reso-
ution to discharge the committee
rom further consideration of the
,ill and to declare the bill before
he Senate for action.
Messrs. Edmunds, Whyte and
Il L