The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1880-03-31
rider that there was no quorum.

AZ l1Io SIOHS Va lin Jaws - Jew
an evident disposition on the part of
the Democrats to open up discussion
again. Chi bono.2 Simply to allow
the Republicans another opportunity
to abuse the South, and shake unmer-
cifully the poor old tattered and torn
bloody shirt in our faces.
Meantime the bill had been S"
loaded down with amendments from
both Democrats and Republicans
that its author would not have known
his bantliug, wrapped as it was in its
variegated garments:
Then it was that I rose and asked
if it would be in order to lay the bill
and amendments on the table? Be-
ing told that it would be, I made that
motion, which was lost by nine votes;
but I believe the defeat of my motion
has accomplished what I desired
the withdrawal of this stupid bill
from the consideration of the House.
I had opened the way to more rrac-
teal and useful legislation.
But as you have forced me into the
papers again, let the whole truth be
told. After my motion las made,
and the House in great confusion
was wrangling yer some points Of
order, the author of the bill, mot the
member having it in charge, but the
author came to me, aud asked me
to modify my motion. And no less
than a score of Democrats voluntarily
said: "Aiken, if You had moved to
recommit I would have voted with
You, bnt I won't vote to table the
bill" And this was the voice of the
entire South Carolina delegation.
Do you comprehend the difference?
Had it been recommitted to the COM
mittee it would have remained in
Democratic bands, aud could have
been amended satisfactorily and pre-
scented in a different garb in the fu
ture; or it could have been smothered
in the committee, and would never
have again been beard Of Bat to
have laid it on the table would have
been voting to suit the wishes of the
Republicans, and, therefore, an &C.
knowledged qaasi-defeat of the Dem
cratic majority, which would have had
tendency to demoralize the party,
There were not a bakers dozen
members bal thought the bill wise;
nay, more than baf the Democrats
thought it unwise, indefensible, and
would prove a dead letter upon our
Statute books if enacted into law.
But the party bad sworn the "horse
was sixteen feet bigh," and they pro-
posed to fight it out on that line"
I was not in the swearing, and
thought it not wise to take the oath.
That's all about it.
One word further. There are over
fifteen thousand clerks in Washing
ton; perhaps ten thousand are men,
and all of them are Republicans.
Suppose each one Of them gave ten
dollars for a campaign fund, as they
did last sumner to elect Foster gov
ernor over Ewing in Ohio, there will
be q fund of 100000. How will you
prevent this amount being raised?
This bill says such AN assessment shall
not be made.
Suppose these clerks know that
their continuance in oficediepe"ds
upon Republican success nak Fall,
and they go forward and voluntarily
give $50 each, thus 100000 for the
Republican camimign, what steps
would you take to prevent it?
This bill says, that shall he consid-
cred a penal offence. What-pun
lshed for d~isposing of your money as
you think proper after yon have
earned it? As we'll tell me that, after
[ had sold a bale OF cotton the money
received for it should not be spent as
l thought proper These two points
in the bill will show You the perfect
of enacting such Legislation
rs it proposed.
One more postscript. I hold my
self amenable t. those who sent ne
here, and am ever ready to give ac-
count Of my stewardship, but [ pro-
test being held to account by those
who, ignorant of the surroundings,
ever vii ing to attack NE for
political apostacy. | am no automa-