Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-06

ficers. II was 80 shown by many votes.
and il was more than a constitutional
majority, it was majority ofthe Senators
without respect to the vote oil the vice
President. Did anybody question the
right OF the majority to elect the ofh-
c.rs? The minority said, "No, you
shall not do that" Perhaps the minor
ity was wise and right. That was mat
ter OF Indifference. The question was,
who shall determine the order OF busi-
ness? Any majority was majority.
Ii was because the Southern repuoilcs
had disregarded this law that they mad
never been able to establish stable gov
ernments. He made q strong argument
in opposition TO the right OF minorities
10 fiIibuster by withholding votes, and
criticised the action OF his own party as
sociates in having, at various times,
resorted TO that method. He was
olad 10 cooperate with the Senator from
Virginia. (Mahone) and he believed the
movement originated by that gentle
man would he the dawning oil new day
for the South; that the solid south
would be broken and American politlcs
cease TO be sectional and become nation
al; he welcomed the Senator as the
ayant courier of men, who would follow
and break down sectionalism and pro
cure equal rights and privileges to all
men.
Mr.. Bayard was glad one voice had
been heard in reprobation OF the GUS
tom preventing by silence deci,,
sion OF the measure which had
been proposed and debated and
which only remained to be acted upon;
but it was a question OF sound public
discretion whether interposltlOn oil dila-
tory motions was or was not within the
spirit of the law. Who should judge oil
that2 That was what touched the con-
science OF legislators. The Senator rom
Ohio was in error when he stated that
there was a numerical majority in oppo-
sition to the transaction OF business
only for which the Senate had been
convened. The vote OF the Senator
from Illinois Davis had been steadily
cast in favor OF preierring business for
which the Senate had been called
10 that which was dictated by party
caucus. He recalled the Republican
side 10 the fact that in last November 80
of the members OF this body had voted
for Hancock and English, and asserted IN
view of that fact it would be unjust to
prevent the incumbents OF the Senate
offices who had been expecting retention
in place to turn them out without warn
ing. Ii would be unfair to them to pnt
in their places to reap the harvest OF the
summer vacation, men who had not sown.
He put il on the ground OF fair dealing,
common courtesy and decent behavior
TO those who had assisted in carrying on
the public business, but there was
higher principle than this involved
which he would speak about hereafter.
This was the arrangement to control the
election in Virginia next Fall by the
patronage OF the Senate.
Mr.. Logan disclaimed any knowledge
of such arrangement, but inquired why
the election OF Sergeant-at-Arms, who
lived in Virginia, should alarm the Sen
ator about the change OF politics OF that
state.
Mr.. Bsyard replied that it was not the
amount OF goods which were stolen that
sipnified, but the fact that they were
stolen. 1t was not the amount OF the
otiense, it was the otfense. II in the
providence of Almighty God, the State
sanctified by the names OF Washington
and Jefferson and Madison and
Monroe, had no lost its con-
science. as to be governed by handful OF
petty patronage, might God have mercy
on its people. He did not for moment
believe it, but that was not the question.
Mr.. Logan asked whether the princi-
ple which prevented the Democrats
from voting against the resolution now
would not have the same force IN De-
cember?
MIR. Bsyard was not disposed to say it
would not, but whether or not what was
termed the minority would think it had
proceeded in the matter far enough was
a question OF discretion.
Mr. Sherman said the method OF re-
sorting to dilatory' motions to stop the
business was dangerous, unconstitutlon-
al and revolutionary, as Withholding
votes. 1t was even more revolutionary
because it could be carried on
successfully by smaller num-
her than the other could; so
when the Senator from Delaware con.
demned the whole proceeding OF his side
of the chamber. II the Senator appealed
on this question to the sympathies OF
the Republican side it would respond to
the extent of its power, but when Tevo'
lutionary motions were interposed-
Mr.. Vance (lnterrupting)-ls the mo-
ton to go into executive session revolu-
tionary? -
Mr.. Sherman replied that in itself it
WAS an innocent motion, but when
made TO prevent majority from pro.
ceeding with the business, il was revo-
lutionary. The Senator from Delaware
had spoken of 80 Senators having voted
for Hancock. That was no reason why
thew should follow the Democratic par
Nv in all its sins OF omission and commits.
sion. The brave example OF the Sens-
tor from Virginia Mahonel would
be extolled, as had been extolled the
deeds OF the old heroes OF that great
State. Whoever led in breaking up the
sectional party lines would do as mnch
as he who won the battle. He believed
the spectacle presented by the Senate
was not satisfactory to the people. They
thought the Senate ought to go into
executive session but at the will OF the
majority not of the minority.
Mr.. Beck said the Republicans had
refused to go into oexecutive session; had
refused to pay tribute OF respect to
their President, for what? In order to
yet the vote OF Malone; in order that
all precedents should be overthrown,
and In order that the commonwealth Of
Virginia should be turned over to Rid
dleberyer. And We, he continued, are
called revolutionists because we say you
shall not do that thing, and we tell you
now YOU shall not do it whether you
have made bargain or not. You may
call us revolutionists. You shall not
overthrow all the traditions OF the world.
You shall not carry out any such ar
ranpement as that, whether made hon.
e,tly or dishonesty. You may do so
in the next session, but We will in every
parliamentary way prevent the country
from having such legislation imposed
upon Virginia, and such ac)lies!ue to
Malone sent to this Senate, as you de-
sire 10 be brought here, slluding to Rid