The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-04-02

Mr.. Hill, of Georgia, replying to Mr..
BlaiEe's charge of had faith on the part
0t the Democrats, in not accepting as
final the decision of the electoral COM
mission, said there was an Issue of fact
raised here between Senators who had
spoken, and a very material one, af-
| fectng not alone the Democratic par.
| ty but the character of our institu-
tons. 1t was important that the real
truth be stated upon the question:
| The charge of revolutionary purpose
made against the Democracy by the
circular which had been read was
denounced by the Senator from Con-
necticut (Eaton) as false; whereupon
the Senator from Maine (Blaine) came
to the rescue of the document, and
charged that there was such revolu
tionary intent, and to sustain his gen
eral charge tie specifics the Potter res
olution as having that Interior mean
ing. Mr.. Hill claimed that the Senator
from Maine was as incorrect in his
statement as was the Secretary Of the
Senate in his, and that he could pro-
duce no fact to bear out his charge.
No portion Of the Democratic party
ever intended under any contingency
o revolutionary movement for the ex-
pulsiou of the President. When the
electoral commission bill was passed
it contained d provision as follows:
Section 6. That nothing in this act
shall be held to impair or effect any
right now existing under the Consti
tuition and laws TO question by pro-
ceedngs i'll the judicial courts of the
United States the right of the person
who shall be declared elected or who
shall claim to be President or Vice
President if any such right exists.
This is provision of the act of Com
gress establishing the electoral COM
mission. 1t was embodied there in
view Of the apprehension that the
commission w0ald, as they in fact did,
refuse to look into and investigate the
alleged frauds in Louisiana aud Fiori
da, and that the result Of their labor
wonla be the declaration of one of the
claimants as President without an ex-
animation into the testimony regarding
the merits of the case. 1t was adopt
ed that the doors might he left open in
such case to proper judicial inves-
tigation which should bring out the
facts. That there was ground for the
belief that the courts of the country
would have Jurisdiction is manifest
from the fact that learned gentlemen
and distinguished statesmen Oh both
sides of both chambers Incorporated a
provision ia the electoral commission
bill reserving all right to reopen this
question and have it investigated be-
fore tie judicial tribunals. Some of
the most able lawyers believe that by
proper proceedinff the Supreme Court
can get jurisdiction to investigate this
question. 1t was on that principle
that the Legislature of Maryland
passed memorial to Congress de-
handing that proceedings of this ma
ture should be iuaugurated. Some of
the most distinguished Republican
lawyers of the country held that it
would be perfectly proper in cnmpe-
tent proceeding for the Supreme Court
to reopen and determine this cass upon
its merits. Every gentleman OF dis
(Alr. Hills acquaintance, every prom
inent Democrat of the United States
who desires to investigate this ques-
ton at all, desires to do so in the
courts and under the encouragement
and authority of the electoral law.
Was this revolutionary Whether
that proceeding before the court should
ce iaanguratel or not w0nll depend
on the reliable evidence that should
be obtained in the case.
Therefore all sections of the Demo
cratic party We're willing to have an
Investigation to obtair the real facts.
There were Republicans as we'll as
Democrats in the country who, if facts
should thoroughly establish the ille-
gality of the Presidency, and if it
should appear that the Supreme Court
have authority to investigate the sub
ject, were in favor Of such Investigation.
Mr.. Hill denied that the Democratic
party had ever announced revolu-
tionary purpose, looking to the expul-
sion of the President He said, in
conCIuSloH, tHe Denhtof iioih NEW
York had informed this body that
when he came here these seats were
occupied by Southern Senators. l
think we have heard this before. He
also informed us that these seats are
now filed by Southern men. think
we know that already. We return to
them, and like revolution, thus ends
where the departure began.
After some passages between Messrs.
Blaine and Hill, Mr.. Wallace offered a
resolution declaring John G. Burch
elected Secretary of the Senate.
Mr.. Conkling moved to substitute
the name of George G. Goiham. This
amendment was rejected by "a to 80,
strict party vote.