The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-17
His Position Defined.

On Monday last, a lively scene occurred In the U.
S. Senate.
motion made by Mr.. Allison that the Senate go
into executive session was supported by the Repub-
iicans and oppose by the Democrats Quite sensa-
ton was occasfoned by the fact that Mr.. Malone
voted with the Republicans. There light APP
pause In the galleries. but 1t was promptly checked
The motion was rejected-ayes, So; noes, 81.
Mr.. Conkling then took the floor and maintained
that the Republicans were right in not consenting
to an organization against constitutional majority
of the Senate.
The debate was here interrupted by Mr.. Morgan.
who offered resolutions denouncing the assassina-
ton of the of Russia and extending to the Gov
eminent and people OF RUSSIA sincere coincidence.
laid on the table
Mr. HILL of Georgia, then took the floor to contin-
ne the debate. He believed when every seat should
be fllled the Senate would be Democrat is now
If he was wrong in that belief he had been deceived
Thirty eight members of this body had been sent
here Democrats. One member, tMr. Davis, of Il
itnoiSJ not sent here Democrat, but was
sent here by Democratic votes, and in words of high
and lofty patriotism and fidelity to trust had Fri
day announced that he should be true to The trust
which sent him here. The Senator from New York
Mr. Conking) has stated that the Republicans will
have majority. How has this been accomplished?
By whom has that wonderful coalition been accom-
pilshed by which somebody sent here as a Demo-
crat has been taken and carried OF" by the Repub-
lican party? Why is 1t that have right
the assumption that thirty-nine members are still
Democrats? He vindtcated the honor, integrity, and
fidelity of the state, people, and principles Of all
sent here as Democrats, and denied that any one
had proven treacherous to his mission.
Continuing, Mr.. Hill said he did not blame man
his duty to give notice of that change to persons
with whom he had been associated. No Democrat
had given such notice to that side of the Senate
he (Hill therefore assumed that no such change
had occurred. He denied that any man had right
| to accept commission from one party and execute
it in the interest of another party Manhood,
age, bravery fidelity morality respect for the opin-
ions of mankind, required that when man had ar
rived at conclusion that he could not carry ont a
trust which had been conf1ded to him. 1t was his
duty return his commission and tell his constitu-
ents he had changed his mind. He did not believe
that single one Of the 38 men elected Democrats
would hold In his pocketa commission conferred by
Democrats, and without giving any notice to his
constituency or associates, would execute that
mission in the advocacy of the adverse party. He
denied the right of the cePresident to take part
Fin organizing the Senate but would not raise that
question. "If,' he continued, syou have but one,
the vote viii be 3S to 49,. Who is that one? Laugh
ter on the Republican sidel "Who is that one?"
repeated Mr.. Hill in loud and excited voice. Who
is ambitious to do what no man in the history of the
country has. ever done-to stand up in this high
presence and proclaim from this proud eminence
that he disgraces the commission he holds % Jap
plause from the galleries "Who can 1t be p
Il aughter, while every eye was turned on Malone,
who seated among the Republicans. 'Do you
addressing the Republicans) receive him with af-
lection DO you receive him with respect Is such
man worthy of your association? Such man is
not worthy to be a Democrat. Is he worthy to be a
Republican If my friends from Illinois, Kansas,
| and New York were to come 20 me holding Republic
can commissions in their pocketS-sent here by Re-
publican Legislatures-and We're to whisper to me
that they would vote for the Democratic organiza-
ton, would scorn to accept their votes. would
tell them that If they came they would be expelled
with ignominy from the ranks of the party He
| closed by maintaining that all those who made
up the 80 Democrats in the Senate would stand
by the constituents that elected them "They were,
he satd selected as Democrats, and on question
of organization which is political and party ques-
tion they will act with the Democracy. You, gen.
tlemen addressing the Republican side, will be
deceived If you think otherwse and therefore there
is no necessity for you to enter all this hltbuSer
ing"
Mr.. Malone, who occupied seat on the Republi-
can side, advanced to the edge of the fronting
the Clerks desk and proceeded to reply to Mr. HILL
"That gentleman" he said, chad manifestly
gagged in an effort to disclose his Mahones position
on the door,'
how could disclose it?"
Mr.. Malone: s9The gentleman has assumed not
only to be the custodian here of the Democratic
ty of the nation but has tried to assert the right to
speak for the constituency which have the privi-
lege In part OF representing here. He has done so
without their assent addressing himself directly
Mr.. Hill and advancing toward him owe you,
sir and owe those for whom you undertake to
speak here, nothing. Marks of encouragement on
the Republican side and in the galleries. l came
here like Virginian, not to represent the Democ-
racy for which you (HlD stand. come with as
proud a claim to represent that people as you to
represent the people of Georgia. won on fields where
have fought with you and others in the cause of
my people and that section in the late unhappy
test. That contest thank God, is over, and as one
OF those engaged in it, and who has not here else
where to make apology for the part he has taken
in it, say that am not here as partizan nor am
L here to represent that Democracy which has done
SO much injury to my section OF the country. The
gentleman undertook to say what constitutes DEM
Ocfat. nOlu tnat am INFINITELY a better Democrat
than he. laughter He who stands nominally
committed to a full vote and fair vote and hon
est ballot should that they be had in the
state OF Georgia. where tissue ballots are favorable
Applause serve notice on that gentleman that
l intend to be custodian of my own Democracy. 1
do not intend to be run by the gentleman's caucus
am in every sense o free man here, and trust to
De able to protect my own rights to defend those
the people whom represent; certainly to take care
of my do not intend [again addressing Mr.
Hill DIRECTLY that shall critcise my conduct by
inuendoes. wish the Senator from Georgia to I'M
N har hat fha dQo1 with ic
to deal directly. We want no motions of discovery
to find out how am going to vote. regret that 50
early after my appearance should have found IL
necessary to ohtrude any remarks on this body.
would prefer to listen and learn; but could not
feel content after what has passed to day. sit 81
lent The gentleman Hill by all manner of insin-
uations direct or indirect has sought discover
the Democrat is that may choose to exercise his
right to cast his vote as he pleases, and TO differ
with the gentlemans caucus. He seems to have for
gotten that l refused to take part in the caucus
which has not only waged war upon me, but upon
those whom represent; that has presumed to teach
the people of Virginia honesty and to love Democ-
racy. Yes, sir addressing Mr.. Hill, you were duly
notified that took part lot in your political
machinery, and that was supremely Indifferent to
what you did. You were notified that should stand
this; representing in part the State Of Virgin
Ia certainly the Legislature which elected me did
not require me to state that was either Democrat
or anythtng else. ! suppose the gentleman Hill
could not get here from Georgia unless he said that
he was Democrat. Anyhow, came here without
being required to state to my people what am.
They were all willing to trust me. 1 elected by
the people, not by the Legislature, for it is
sue IN the canvass and no man was elected to the
Legislature by the party with which am identified
who was notnstruced to vote for me for the Senate
The gentleman has been chassaing all round this
chamber to see il he cannot find partner some
where. He has been looking around, occasionally
referring to another senator, to know exactly what
that was who had the tnliness and boldness
to assert his opinions in this chamber free the
d1ctaton of the Democratic caucus want that gen.
tleman know that henceforth and forever here is
man who dares to stand here and defend his right
against you and your caucus Loud applause and
much laughter, provoked by the violent gesticula
lions of Senator Malone, who launched defiance at
his adversary in sort of miniature war dance.
Mr. Hill again took the floor and said he could
only understand the gentleman on the principle
that guilty conscience needs no accuser. Laugh
ter on the Democratic side. He had not mentioned
the Senator's name or State. He had only asked who
the Democrat that expected to vote with the
Republicans, and to his aStonfShment the Senator
from Virginia said that he was the man He had not
said anything offensive to the people of Virginia.
but he had said that the people of section of the
country would tolerate treachery. He had said that
there were thirty senators who had been elect
ed as Democrats. Did the gentleman deny it? Would
he say that he was not elected as Democrat? He
said that he was not required to state that he
Democrat, and in the next breath he said that he
was better Democrat than he himself Hill was
addressing himself to the Republicans Mr.. Hill
said: 81 commend him to you. Take good care of
him. Treat him well. Laughter How do you
like to have among you worse Democrat than l
am ?"
Mr. Conkling: ooh, no; not worse better
Mr. Hill (scornfuly): Oh! better. my
friend from New York [Conklingl is better Demo
crat than am
Mr. Logan: she could not well be worse one."
Mr.. Hill: Never before has there been such an
exhibition in the Senate where gentleman shows
MS Democracy by going over to the Republicans.
Will not defend Virginia. She needs defense. She
mas given to the country and the world and human
1ty some OF the proudest names in history, and
say to the Senator from Virginia that neither JEFF
1efson, nor Madison, nor Henry nor Washington,
nor Lee nor Tucker any of the long list of great
men whom Virginia produced, ever accepted COM
mission to represent one party and come here and
represent another party" Applause on the DEM
Mr. Malone (who had returned to his seat on the
Republican side) 'sDo 1 understand you correctly
as saying that accepted commission from
party and came here to vote for another party p
Mr.. Hill: 81 understand that you were elected as
Democrat"
Mr.. Malone Gmperatively): "Answer the quest
ton
Mr.. Hill with provoking coolness,: CT say that
you were elected as a Democrat and accepted your
commission Democrat
Mr.. Malone (persistently): ''You said that 1 &C.
cepted commission from one party and came here
to represent another party
Mr. Hill dmperturbably) 81 said that that will be
the case II you vote with the Republicans You have
not done it yet, and say you will not do it,
Mr.. Malone Gmpatiently); 81 want to say If it is
not out or order here that Ii the gentleman under
dertakes to make that statement, the statement is
unwarranted and untrue
Mr.. Hill (composedly); "Was not the gentleman
acting with the Democratic party, and was he not
elected to this body as a Democrat?" with a
fercer tone) ''Answer that
Mr.. Malone (quickly) ''Sir, I elected as a
Re-adjuster. Do you know what Re-adjusters are %
Mr.. Hill: 81 understand that there are in Virginia
Re-adjusting Democrats and Debt Paying Demo-
Gratis, but understand they are both Democrats
question of the Virginia debt is be settled
this chamber. | ask the Senator again was he not