New-York tribune., 1880-04-11
DEBATE ON THE ARMY BILL.

DEBATE ON THE ARMY BILL.
EXTRAORDINARY EXHIBITION OF DEMOCRATIC SELF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONFINED TO THE RE-
PUBLICAN sIDE-MR. RoBEsoN's AMENDMENT.
[DY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNR.l
WASHINGTON April 1O.-Surely never before in
the history of the American Congress did the men,
bers of the dominant party in that body show such
example of self-restraint exhibited by the
Democratic members of the House OF Representa-
tives throughout the session of to-day, which was
devoted to the consideration Of the Army bill.
For the time being every one Of them performed
the Office of tail hOlder for himself. They could
not have been more silent if the threat uttered by
Mr. Sparks. of Illinois, the other day had been in
earnest that IL any Democrats should undertake to
debate the political section of the Army ApDropria-
ton bill, they would shoot him on the spot"
The Democrats seem at least to realize that the
least they say the better it will be for them. In
vain did General Hawley Mr. Robeson. General
Keifer Mr.. Frye and others to-day try to goad the
elusive Mr. Cox and the loquacious Mr.. Blackburn
into saying something. They remained as mute as
statues
There were only two exceptions to the general
Democratic silence. One was when Mr.. Cox sent
up to the clerks desk and had read passage from
Georgia scenes" which created much merr-
ment and operated as a safety valve for the re-
pressed feelings Of bis political associates. The
other exception was more significant Mr.. Sparks,
who reported the political Rider from the Mill
tary Committee opened the debate in five min
utes' speech. If he had spoken two hours he could
not have explained perfectly the hostile att-
tude of the Democracy to fair elections, or des-
crbed more clearly the course tho Democrats would
take II they had the power
Mr.. Sparks declared that he was not satisfied with
the amendment. He said this tame, cowardly
amendment does not come mp to the standard OF
legislation l would adopt. Had | the power, I
would insist upon something much stronger. I
would wipe out this un-American, un-republican,
un-democratic, villanOus statute. which owes its
existence to the inspirations Of fanaticis and tho
era of hate and of insult to the sovereign people OF
this country"
At the close Of Mr. Sparks's remarks he was asked
by several Republicans to explain tho meaning Of
the amendment he had offered This he declined to
do, and curtly refused TO answer any questions
whatever. He had something TO say about the Demo-
cratic anxiety to get through with this bill that
the House could 20 on and pass other measures. The
House spent four or five hours yesterday in debate
Oh private bill to make appropriation of $5, 900
for the benefit Of citizen OF Louisiana, and no
Democrat thought the time was ill-spent, nor did
single one OF them express any anxiety about the
Appropriation bill.
General Hawley made the first speech on the Re-
publican side to-day. He warned tho Democrats
that they cOHli not stife debate ON this question
by simply voting to say nothing themselves. The
debate was even now in progress and it would not
close until the people themselves were ready to
vote upon this and other questions next No
vember.
Mr.. Cox found 1t almost impossible to keep still,
and once he went 80 far as to interrupt General
H.. Iho xzybfo oh. ho
received was very satisfactory to the House, If not
to Mr.. Cox himself.
Mr. Robson made an argument which would
have convinced any man except Democrat He
covered nenry the same ground and repeated many
of the arguments which he used in his great speech
in the extra session. Mr. Robeson made Que very
strong point, under which the moro conservative
Democrats visbly WINGED, and several of them APP
peared 70 be almost ready to answer his appeal to
them for an explanation. He said "a fow days
ago you Democrats In the House and your associates
in the Senate, being in the majority, passed law
which provides for the appointment and payment of
mnrshals to preverve order pt elections and to pre-
vent illegal voting. Now do you propose to nullfy
your own law by refusing to give the means neces-
sary to it's enforcementf" No answer was made.
General Keifer made strong speech. III which he
reviewed the history OF the Democratic attempts to
nulllfy the laws and cOerce the President.
One of the best speeches Of the day, and one
which stirred, up the Democrats good deal, was
made by Mr. Frye
Toward the close of the days proceedings the
Democrats made several attempts to reach an nm
derstandng as to the time when final vote on the
bill should be taken. Mr.. Clymer, who. 1t IS SAID,
is going away next Monday In order to be married,
was especially anxious that vote should be
taken on that day. The Republicans, however, stead,
all who desire to sneak have an opportunity to do
80, aud as usual, the Democrats were Obliged to
submit. They will probably adhere TO their deter
to say nOthngj but they appear to forget
4 al qilnnpn
of the people tho meaning and BlRnlhcance OF the
Democratic OratOTy OF the extra session. The DEM
Ocrats have not abated one j0t of the determination
they expressed then, but, OstrOh-ke, they seem TO
think that II they hide their heads and say nothing
the people will be kind enough to forget where they
stand. Before they get through with this. however.
the Democrats will be compelled to expose them
selves and their purposes once more.
Mr.. RObeson tried to offer an amendment to-day,
but was refused pcrnisslOn He will find Oppor-
tunty to offer it and to haye vote upon 1t before
the bill is disposed Of If the Democrats vote
mean to place 1t out of the power of the Govern
ment to infOrce its own laws on election day. The
is as fOll0ws
act contained shall be held to forbid or prevent any
cse9 Of the United States or any person In IT, service
civil officers Of the Government IA The execution Of ne
laws Of the United States and the preservation OF Its
peace whenever called upon for such assistance
WHEN TO STEAL KELLOGGS SEAT.
DEMOCRATS UNDECIDED ABOUT THE BEST TIME TO
ACr-DIvIsIoN OF SENTIMENT ON THE SUB
JRcT.
TnY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRDUNE
WASHINGTON, April 1O.-The Democratic Senators
have spent four hours in caucus to-day and have
again failed to agree to any definite line of policy
in regard to the Kelogg-SDodord oaSe. and for the
present they have given up the effort.
They have, In fact, come to an understanding that
The question shall be called up when the Geneva
Award bill is disposed of (which mny be about April
2O) it. in the mean time the caucus does notdirect
otherwise, and if there are no appropriation bills
ready to be acted upon.
This is really no decision at oil. and the time
when the Kelogg-Spoford case will come before the
Senate for action. whether during the present ses