The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-07
JURORS, TEST OATH REPEAL.


WASHINGTON, June 6.-The debate In the
Senate to-day on the bill to repeal the jurors
test oath was very animated Messrs. Ed
nunds. ConklinR, and Blaine were the princi-
pal speakers on the Republican side, and
Messrs. Bayard and Thurman for the Demo-
Gratis. The Republicans are fighting the bill
with every species OF parliamentary strategy.
The plan OF battle is supplied by Mr..
Edmunds with a view. II possible. to Sc
cure veto OF the bill. He is speaking
all the time for the benefit OF the iuryman
in the White House. His speech to-day was an
ingenious attempt to show that the bill repealed
the law Of 1875 securing colored men the right
to serve on juries. and that IL also introduced
political distinctions into the jury box. In
very clear and convincing speech Mr.. Thurman
showed that the act Of 1875 was not repealed.
Mr. Whyte spoke at some length. maintaining
that the laws OF Maryland did not exclude
coored men from iuries or ,dscrlminate
the perverson Of justice and packing OF iuries
in the Federal courts Of Maryland.
Although the bill proposed does not in any
way repeal the act Of 1875 or impair any Of the
rights. already secured TO cOlored men. to servo
on iurlesi II was Judged the . safer course course %, Sy
bill so as to expressly exclpde the conclusion
that the act OF 1875 had been repealed. and thus
lenve Hayes without excuse for a veto. The bill
having been ordered to third reading. there
was no way to do this save by moving its re-
commitment. 1nlS MT. BHyNFl Ola IN n DFltI
speech. Assuming that the Republican scna-
tors were sincere in their desire for the pro-
lection Of the rights OF the colored race to serve
on Jures. there we're two modes OF doing II. and
obviutng the defect they proiessed to discover
in the bill-one TO vote to recommit. and another
amend the bill. But they would do neither.
They opposed Mr.. Bayards motion to recommt.
and endeavored to prevent the Democratic Sen.
they had bundered in the preparation Of the
! bill. Mr. Conkling's spirited. sarcasm stirred
cradle effect. Ho declared that the bill was
right, that the criticism OF Edmunds was mere
O9 Ho, that Of hy sba% SSt ss
be echoed from the other end OF the avenue.
The debate would hGye ended at this point.
grounds for intimating that there was likely to
| be n veto. pressing his inquiry with his usual
slow and emphatic terms that the Republican
| Congressmen had "coerced the Executive" on
This made n sensation. The Republican ms
| instantly fared up and M first professed TO be
Indignant. Mr. Edmunds solembly demanded
| that Mr. Thurman's words should be taken
| down. This grave play on words was duly per
formed. Then came long and perfectly fruit
llccss discussion over the question whether MI;
| for the reading OF the rule. and instances were
/ cited Of Republican Senators rejecting on the
! dispute soon assumed Pickwirkian hue. Mr..
J Thurman did not mean anything extraordinary.
Mr.; Edmunds did not mean anything unkind
! 10 Mr.. Thurman. and OF course Mr.. Conkling.
who always enjoys good hit at Hayes, was
sorry. though he didn't say so. that all the
| truth about him could not be stated under par
| lamentary forms. Contempt for Hayes per-
yades both sides OF the chamber. but MS the
| Republican Senators are nursing Hayes for n
veto. IL was their cue to affect solicitude for his
reputation. Several Democratic Senators briefly
opposed recommitment In a few we'll weighed
| sentences Judge Davis strongly advised H..
On the vote the Democrats divided, and the
Republican Senators at first declined TO vote
thus giving the lie to their profession OF a de-
sire 10 amend the bill and save the colored
/ luryman. But when Il appeared that this re-
fusnl to vote would break the quorum. Mr.
| Conkling and other Republican Senators finally
| voted against recommitment. and thus helped
TO defeat it. The bill was then passed by q
| party vote. II will be amended in the House SC
| rs TO exclude the idea Of any repeal OF the act o
| 1875. This is the point on which the Repub
LEANS hope to play and work their man in the