Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-10
FORTY-SIxTH CONGRESS.
Extra Session.
WAsHINGToS, May 3.
Gaanta
Senate.

| bill for payment of money heretofore appro-
/ priated 10 Jas B. Eadds and his associates,
for constructing iettics at the south pass of
the Miss.
The Senate resumed consideration of bill
prohibiting military interference ut elections.
Air. Edmunds called attention to certain
clauses of the constitution, to various laws
| and to writings of Hamilton and Madison, as
found in his remarks on the bill.
He quoted acts passed under Washington.
Jefferson Jackson and Lincoln. authorizing
use of the army to execute the laws. and
quoted sections of acts of 1866, 20 and II,
authorizing the President to employ the army
and navy to protect voters and punish per-
sons who traudulenty vote at Congress ona
elections. Quotations were also made from
,IackSons message in 1888, relative to OBJ
struCtions to execution of laws in :. c.. and
from writings of Judge Story, to show duty
of the government became u measure of its
power.
Mr.. Blaine said he would not debate this
bill. 1t is useless. 1t has been cxhaustingy
debated. The whole measure is removal
of federal government from its proper do
main and the installation of States into de-
grccs of power not dreamed of by Calhoun
nor even asserted by Breckenridge. We
thought there had been something gained in
this question. in costly war and amendments
to the constitution, but the tide rs it now
sweeps is on the ebb and the power of this
union the power of the federal government,
was never 80 weak As these laws and these
proceedings will make it. Pass this bill, and
while warning off the National government
from all Interference or control over its own
elections, YOU voted down on the other bill
the proposition that armed men should not
come to the polls with the expressed intention
of interfering with the rights of voters, and
you did it under the paltry bubble that it
was not within the constitutional power of
the |. :. to warn bloody handed rufiians from
the polls where representatives to the federal
Congress are being chosen. Pass this bill
Pass ii as triumph of the rcactionary party
against the spirit of the union. Pass it and
in defiance of all lessons and all teachings
thar come from bloody and abortivc rebel
lion. Pass it and mark it as high tide of
that reaction which were it to rise higher
could lead only to another and formidable re-
bcllion against the legitimate authority of
the union.
Mr.. Chandler followed, and in course of
his speech said There are II senator's on
the dem. side of the house that every man
on this side believes have poorer titles to
their SEATS than the senator from La. Bv
fraud and violence You occupy your seats
Now show Us the road how to vacate seats in
this body. if you dare.
Mr.. Eaton OF Conn., call the senator to
order.
Mr. Chandler-Vcry well, sir; will take
your point of order
Mr.. Eaton-My point is that the senator is
most entirely out OF order when he saws II
senators on this foor hold seats by fraud and
violence.
Chanller-l did not say that. said they
hcId their seats by power of title
Eaton-You said fraud and violence.
Chandler said we believe it is, and so
do believe. and 50 | have Il right to believe
Mr.. Garland asked that the exact words be
taken down, and the official reporter read the
words us given above.
Mr.. Beck called upon Chandler to name
the men who held their seats by fraud and Vi
olcnce.
Mr.. Hill of Ca. hoped the question would
he dropped
Mr.. Eaton saik the remarks of the Senator
from Michigan were insatinglv out of order,
and called for ruling by the chair.
The President pro TEN overruled the point
of order.
There being considerable confusion, Mr..
Davis of W. Va, asked for enforcement of
order. both in the Senate and gallery.
Order being restored, Mr.. Chandler re-
sumcd.
Let me say to you. gentlemen ON the other
side, meme none tckel upharsin, is written
all over your brows.
| Applause in the galleries, which was
promptly checked
The bill to prevent military intolerance at
election, was then passed in precise form as
il came from the llouse-yeas 81. nays %.
MIR. lamlin paired it'll Mcpherson. Blaine
with Wallace, Grover and Sharon were alb
sent
On motion OF Mr.. Beck the Senate took up
the House legislative bill and at 4.4j
Adjourned.
House.