The New York herald., 1879-02-02
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Feb /, 1877!

WASHINGTON, Feb l, 1879.
SENATORS WHO WOULD ALLOW WOMEN TO VOTE.
The report Of the minority Of the Privileges and
Elections Committee of the Senate the resolution
proposing woman suffrage amendment to the
constitution is signed by Senators Hoar, Mitchell
and Cameron of Wisconsin The report starts out
with the proposition that the constitutions the
writings of jefferson, the Virginia bill of rights, the
Massachusetts, bill of rights others all asserted
the equality Of man. and that the experience of a
hundred years has strengthened the hold Of these
principles upon the popular conviction. Our
fathers failed in three particulars to carry ont their
principles to logical result-a property quail
hcation for the right to vote required.
they kept the negro in slavery and excluded
women from share in the government.
The first two have been remedied The
American people are committed to the doctrine of
universal suffrage and must stand by it. Popular
suffrage is to be tried not by comparison with ideal
standards Of excellence but by comparison with
other forms of government. The crimes that have
stained our history have chiefly from its
denial not from its establishment. The misgovern-
mcnt and corruption of our great cities have been
largely due to whose birth and training
have been under other systems. The abuses
attributed BY political hostility to negro govern
ments at the South, governments from which
the intelligence and education of the State held them
selves suriy aloof do not equal those which existed
under the English French aristocracies within
the memory Of living men, There have been crimes
blunders, complications and foles in the history of
our Republic but few of these things have been due
to the extension OF suffrage. 1t is taken for granted
that no person will deny that the women of America
inspired with a love of country equal to
that which animates their brothers and sons.
capacity to judge of character so sure
nd ag RI ha rn,nA inf Hive
is an especial characteristic of women. The report
expresses tho belief that in the determining of pub
lie policies by the collective judgment OF the State,
which constitutes self l-government, the contribution
will be of great importance aud value. The conclu-
sion, then. is. that the American people must extend
the right Of suffrage to or abandon the idea
that suffrage is birthriRht. The arguments of the
majority report Submitted to the Senate last
SESSION. are then taken up and answered at
considerable length by the minority. The two bills
now pending before the Coinage Committee of tho
House making trade dollars exchaugeable for legal
tender silver dollars, and the other authorizing the
coinage of the golod metric dollar and fractions
thereof will be reported to the House on Thursday
evening next. The committee arc much divided on
these measures. anil, in order that the opponents
may have an opportunity of Offering their objections
after tho bius before the House. IL has been
agreed that they be reported without rccommc nda-
ton either way
SHORT SESSION OF THE POTTER COMMITTEE.
Tho Potter Investigating Committee met this
morning at twelve o'clock. Mr.. Morrison lin the alb
OF Mr.. Potter. who left Friday evening for
New York., taking the chair Isaac II. Hill
called and testified that hs one OF tho deputy
scrgeants alarms who went to New Orleans with tho
subcommittee; he recollccted Dula being examined
and was positive that both st. Martin and Gibson
were present inside the railing while that witness
was giving his testimony; he Maddox
or Carter there; II his duty TO attend
the entrance inside the railing in the committee
room, and this was pretty much all the heavy
work" he was called upon TO do; witness talked
about Dulas testimony TO st. Martin, but could
not recollect any part OF the conversations he knew
ST. Martin to be good Democrat; he had no know
edge that any OF tho witnesses were being influenced
by offers of money. Mr.. Hns evidence being COM
pleted Mr.. Hiscock moved that the committee al
journ to Monday. Mr.. Stcngor observed that Mr..
Potter might not return in tfnc Oh Monday morning
and suggested that an adjournment be taken until
Tuesday. To this Mr.. Hscock agreed and the COM
mittec then after sitting of only half AZ, hour
rACKARDs PLEA FOR JACK WHARTON
The following letter has been received here;---
LrvEnrooI. Jan. !, 1870.
United ststs. various reports Of the intended re.