The daily gazette., 1881-03-28
THE FIGHT IN THE SENATE.
REMINDHRs OF RIDDLEBERGER's
CAREER CAST A GLOOM OVER THE
REPUBLICAN BENCHEs,

WASHINGTON, March 26.-The
Republicans beat their usual retreat
IN the Senate to-day after a contest
lasting a trifle less than three hours,
in which they were beaten at every
turn. The customary motions to
proceed to executive business, to
table the election resolution and to
adjourn occupied the best part OF
the first hour and were thereafter re-
newed whenever there was lull. =
Among the first to take the floor
was Mr.. Morrill,, who asked the
Clerk to read from speeches of Mr.
Salisbury, made when the Republi-
can organization was overturned
two years ago, in which he advised
the Republicans to submit with
Christian resignation. In response
Mr.. Butler had the Clerk read from
speeches made at the same time by
Mr.. Anthony and Mr.. Edmunds.-
These proceedings afforded the gal
leries much amusement. Mr.. Call
then made strong speech from
manuscript, in which he showed that
the consummation of such attempts
as that which the Republicans are
now making could result only in
placing premium upon venal trans
sactlons for partisan ends and might
lead to action in regard to public
interests and wishes of those whom
Senators had been chosen to repre-
sent. Mr.. Call exposed thoroughly
the preposterous piece of sophistry
which Mr.. Dawes had used yester-
day in claiming that the reason he
supported Malone and RIddleber-
ger was because they advocated
free ballot and fair count and were
the champions of that cause which
rebelled against any mans placing
his heel upon the neck of the poor
and defenseless black man. Mr..
Call reminded the Senate that Mr..
Dawes himself represented a consti-
tuency which denied suffrage TO
thousands OF laboring men. He re-
called that in Massachusetts and
Rhode Island free ballot and fair
count had always been and was yet
prevented by law.
He then reviewed briefly the course Of
the Readjusters, exposed their prac ices,
one OF which had been illustrated when
the Republican caucus had been pledged
to support Riddleberger, and closed by
declaring 1t the duty of the Senate to re-
siat by all constitutional means the COM
pletion Of such transsc, ion. In little
while Mr.. Beck rose with paper in his
hand, yellow with age. 1t was copy, he
said, of the Richmond Whig, the Read
juster paper, whish displayed uLder its
title on the editorial page man with bis
foot en- another's neck, over the words,
"Sic sempsr tyrannis." Mr.. Beck called
attention to an account Ia the paper OF
proceedings in the Virginia Legislature
Of the session of 1874, when y colorsd
man named Morse, al illiterate mar, but
honest, from Buckingham CcHnty, at
tempted to take part in the discussion,
which was upon the payment Of lie
State debt. Mr.. Morse said that Virgin.
la could not afford tarnish her good
name by repudlatiDg any part Of her
debt, and for one, rather than have such
a disgrace fall upon hsr, he would be
willing to sacrifice all he had in the
world. When Mr.. Morse had reached
this point, Mr.. Riddleberger, then a
member OF the Legislature, asked him il
he would yield tor moment for a reso-
luton. With the usual courtesy that
characterlzss legislative proceedings. Mr..
| Morse Yielded the noor Tor a moment TO
Mr.. Ridileberger, who thereRpon oRered
| a resolution that Mr.. Morse be expelled.
"Did the Senator from Kentucky say
inquired MIR. voorhees,, "that Morse wat
| q colored MANI"
"a colored man." Mr.. Beck replied
"who sought to pay the debt. The paper
containing the account Of the scene hai
cut over the iitorlal page representing
one man with his foot on the neck o
| ano her,"
"I would like to ask the Senator q
question:" Mr.. Groone, of Maryland,
ipterposed. "Was Mr.. Riddlebsrger's Is
resolution put on the ground that Morse
was colored, or that he wanted to pay
the debt?"
"Well," was Mr.. Beck's answer, 81
suppose he took the doable chance.
MIR. Beck then recalled what he said
on other days about the prepriety 9f in-
curing about Riddleberger before choos'
/ ing him to Office, aud accordingly moveC
| AL hulOuTumoub,lh III oioCt thot Ai' Do"O'
might have time to learn fully what sor
Of man he proposed to vote for. The Re
publicans were thoroughly shamed BY
this "reminiscences of Kiddleberger'
career, the Democrats aHd the gallerie!
Of course relishing it highly. Dawes
whose ruling passion 10 for tue last WORD
could not collect his wits this time anC
did not rise. The majority OF the othe
Republicans became just then occupies
with newspapers or letters. Malone hat
been fidgeting in his seat all the after
noon, but under this last exposure turne'
all colors and became mol iceably uneasy
there being no Republican with anything
to say, and the Democrats not caring Il
move until, upon Republican sugges
ton, Mahoue imagined that something
was expected from him, so he rose.
There WAS Of course stir on the Hoo
and in the galleries, but on the Repub
lisan side on the floor every movemen
was clearly deprecatory. Malone ha'
already compromised them snHicienll.
, without opening his mouth at this TIM
of all others, but discouIaging gesture
were entirely lost upon him and 1t wa
NOT until DaWes,by rising and interrupt
ing him, indicated that be had bet e
keep quiet that Malone pleaded Hines
and said that he would at the eRrlies
moment reply to Mr.. Johnston's review
Of yesterdaI OF himself, his party AM
} his candidate, Riddieberger.