New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-18
SPIRITED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

A TELLING SPEECH BY GENERAL GARFIELD-DVM-
oCRATIC LEADERS AS LAW BREAKERs-CLosE
or THE DEBATE ON THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSEi
WASHINGTON, March 17.-While the Immediate
Deficiency bill was under consideration in the
house to-day. General Garfield made one of the
most effective speeches that he has ever delivered
In that body. At the very outset he gained the
attention of every member Democrat well as
Republicans and held it until the close of his re-
marks.
General Garfield was frequently and warmly APP
plauded by the Republicans. but the Democrats
were in anything but cheering humor.
For the text of his speech General Garfield
chose the remarkable declaration of Mr.. Nc
Mahon, who IN opening the debate
on the bill. said that the Democratic
party cared nothing for the 4" Eight by Seven"
decision of the Supreme Court; that
the election laws are constitutional, and
that the Democratic party did not intend to
make any appropriation for the performance of
these laws
After an eloquent exposition of the decision
of the Supreme Court, which declares that
the election laws of the United States
interpenetrate and govern all State laws relating
to the election of Federal officers Cen
eral Garfield made a scathing arraignment
of the Democratic party in Congress. He
declared that Mr.. Mcmahon and his party associates
had placed themselves in the attitude of men who
declared that they would not obey the law; and
that their course would encourage law-breakers all
over the land.
General Garfield spoke less than half an hour but
he covered all the ground, and when he had finished
every one understood perfectly the meaning Of the
Democratic policy.
When Mr.. McMahon rose to reply TO General Gar
-.
ton which he had received at the hands of
that gentleman. His remarks disjointed. and
wide of the subject under consideration. and he
in fit of ill-temper He had something
TO say about the fugitive slave law, and he con-
trasted the Republican leaders of twenty
years ago with those of to-day, and
also had something to say about the interoceanic
canal project and about other subjects
which were equally irrelevant. In a word,
Mr. Mcmahon only succeeded in showing
how really pitiful are the arts of dcmagogue and
pettifogger when brought to bear upon a question
Of patriotism and craftsmanship
Mr. Singleton offered his expected amendment to
transfer the control of the Government Printing
Office to the Democratic party.
A point of order was made against this amend
ment, and after some discussion Mr.. Carlisle. of
Kentucky, chairman of the Committee of the Whole.
pronounced his decision This decision is an i'm
portant one, both in itself and because it fur
nishes a precedent which will naturally be
followed hereafter in CONSUMING one of
the new rules. The amendment was ruled
cut of order on the ground that it
not germane to the subject under consideration.
Thus another Democratic grab for political spoils
cndedJn igDOminiOus defeat
Mr. Mcmahon suddenly developed to-day Won
deTiul sClicitude in behalf OF the poor suffering
workmen and workwomen of the Govern
lnent Printing Office, who have nothing
70 do because the Public Printer is out of funds The
Appropriations Committee, of which Mr.. Mcmahon
is member. knew for months that the public
would be obliged TO discharge great num-
ber of poor, deserving employees unless
an appropriation was promptly made. For the delay
in making this appropriation and for the consequent
suffering among the working people, the Democrats
Individual is quite much to blame IL Mr.. McMa
hon himself. His appeals i'll behalf of the
poor workingmen to-day sounded like pure dema-
gogism.