The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-03-06
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FORTY,FIFTH CONGRESS-,
CONGRESS EXPIRES,
Tho Army and Legislature Bills Fail to Pass Ex'
citing NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Thurman
Replies to COnkling.
SENATE.
A oIosINa poLIrICAL DEBATE,

When the Appropriations were as
cussed, Senator Conkling placed himself
on the Record. He said they were told
unless these provisions were repealed no
appropriation bill was to pass at this ses'
sion. and the next session the majority
of the two Houses would virtually take
the Government by the throat and re-
fuse to let it breathe unless these proyis-
ions were surrendered. He, for one, was
ready TO meet that issue. They would
not be repealed by his vote, be an extra
session necessary or not.
Mr. Thurman said no more important
question in the time of peace was ever
brought before the American Congress,
for it involved not merely merit or de,
merit of the law which the House bill
Droposed to repeal, but also the rights,
privileges and powers of the two branch,
es ofCongress aud of the President II
was a question which had never been 30
sharply brought before the American
Congress and the American people as 1t
might be now. 1t was one which, soon
eY or later, must be decided. We were
at the beginning perhaps, of struggle
that might last as long in this country
as it did in the mother country, where 1t
went on for two centuries before 1t was
determined. 1t was not likely to last 80
long here, but it might last 80 long that
every man in this chamber would rest in
his grave before it was completed. 1t
was a question whether the House of
Repre- ssntatives had right to say they
would grant supplies only on CONDITION
that grievances were redressed. Trey
would say we represent the taxpayers OF
the Republic, and we only have the
right to originate money bills which
grant the money of the people. The
Senate represents the State; we represent
the taxpayers of the Republic, and we
claim the RIGHT which the English House
of Commons established, after a contest,
the last two centuries. Now, this had
been STYLED revolutionary, bat he was
not to be frightened from the consldera-
tion of these measures by unjust denun'
citation.
M, Thurman then gave brief resume
of the struggle in Europe to make the
voice of the people heard, and pointed
out that the contest in England was not
against monarchy alone, but against the
House of Lords, and they established the
rule that the House of Lords had no
right to amend money bill, but must
accept or reject it in toto.
The Senate, Mr.. Thurman said cannot
be the representative of the taxpayers
as WAS the House. The power of the
House to demand conditions on which to
grant supplies is more likely to grow
than to diminish. No danger 10 likely
to result from it. On the contrary, it was
more likely to make the Government ac-
ceptable TO the people, and the Govern
ment of the people, admins cred for the
benefit of the people. With regard to
the law in regard to jurors, it was dis
grace to civilization. II made the selec-
ton of fair jury impossible. The
House now asked that a mode be adopt
ed by which fair and non-parJzan jury
could be procured.
Mr.. Blaine said the bill to repeal sec.
tion 800 of the Revised Statutes passed
the Senate on the 30gh of December, but
from some cause or other could not be
parsed in the House, and this was the
reason assigned for placingit in this bill.
Mr.. Garland remarked that, as the sec
ton in question WAS repealed by Re-
publican Congress, but found its way to
its revised Statutes, placed there by a
Republican Reyisor, why did not Re-
publican Congress hasten to repeal the
section? Why did not Republican
Congress hasten to repeal it at once?
The discussion being continued, Mr..
Matthews said he could not let the occa'
sion pass without giving his solemn pro-
fest against the doctrines which had
been urged on this floor for the first
time, he believed, in the history of the
country, with reference to the parallel
which had been drawn between the En-.
glish House of Lords and the Senate, and
the prerogstives of the House of Com
mons and the House OF Representatives.
Mr.. .1oar said the sentiments uttered
by the gentleman on the other side well
warranted the discussion pTotracted thro'
the night and through the day. 1t was
an attack Upon the national life as well
as upon the Constitution Of the country. !
Mr.. Thurman made reply to Messra.
Matthews and Hoar, in the course OF
which he referred to the election in Ham
ilton county, o., as showing whether
this law so lauded by the other side, was
an instrument to the purity of the cleo
ton or an instrument of fraud and bri-
berry. He agreed that the humblest Citi-
zen should be protected, but he did not
think any man, rich or poor, should be
protected by means of packed jury. de
denied that the House vas attempingto
coerce the Senate any more than the
Senate was trying to coerce the House.
There was no inclination to do that on
either side,
A vote was then taken upon the mo.
ton that the Committee recede from its
position relative to the Legislative bill,
and was ost-Nays so, yeas %.
Mr.. Thurman then moved the Senate
strike ont from the amendment to the
House bill that part relating to jurors.
Sustained-A 90, nays "a. Another
Committee of Conference on the Legisla.
tive Appropriation bill was asked of the
House, and motion made by the SEN
ate to still further insist on its amend
ments to the Army bill.
The customary thanks Of the Senate
were rendered Vice President Wheeler,
and recess was taken till 10 o'clock.
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution
declaring Thomas W, Ferry elected
President pro tenn.
Mr.. Bayard moved to substitute the
name of Allen G. Thurman. Rejected
yeas 26. nays 2S.
Mr.. Ferry was then declared elected,
and he was escorted to the chair by Mr..
Thurman.
A number of private bills were pass
ed.
Mr.. Cockrell endeavored to call up the
bill appointing Gen. Shields Brigadier
General on the retired list, but Senator
Sargent objected. Just here Gen. Logan
entered the south entrance Of the Cham
Der, and evidently surprised to see the
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