Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-03
Duty Of the Democracy.


Senator Davis. OF West Virginia, who
is now in this city looking alter some
railway interests, has given public ex-
preston to his views regarding the or
SANITATION OF the Senate in the event OF
President Garfeli's death necessItating
an extra session OF that body, and We
are glad to see that they correspond
with those set forth in the editorial
columns OF the Gazette few
days ago. Mr.. Davis does not
accept as accurate the statement
that has been published regarding the
attitude OF Senator Beck in reference to
the Senate organization. "He has"
saws the West Virginia Senator, been
too long in the harness to be guilty OF
any such capers as that purported in
teryiew," AS we explained a few days
ago, Senator Beck is reported as having
said that in the event Of Ian extra session
il would be the duty Of the Democratic
members OF the Senate, tout OF
love of country" to elect q Republi-
can President pro tenn. We would
be glad to hear that Mr. Beck has been
incorrectly reported, as in view OF the
still critical condition OF Gen. Garfield 1t
is not known what moment the Senate
may be called upon to elect a President.
That there may be some difference OF
opinion among the Democratic members
OF the Senate as to what their duty
would be in such an emergency is prob
ably true, although We fail to compre.
bend precisely why any such should
exist. Mr.. Davis takes the correct
view OF the matter. There
should be no bargaining with 'inde.
pendent members looking into a "com-
promise" OF principles in dealing with
this question. The Democrats are either
entitled to the presidency or they are
not. AS the Senate stands at present
there car be no doubt that they have a
majority OF two members, and that un-
til Lapham and Miller are woin in that
majority must remain. Charges have
been preferred against the New York
Senators elect. and in accordance with
Senatorial usage their credentials must
first be passed upon before they
take their seats. AS there Is
now no secretary OF the Senate,
should Vice President Arthur rot he
present when the body is called to-
gether, it will be absolutely necessary
for an immediate organization before the
credentials Of any member-elect can be
received. The duty Of the Democrats is
perfectly clear, and in the event OF the
Senate being called together in extraor-
binary session we have the fullest con
fnence that they will be found possessed
of sufficient backbone to perform it.
But for the refusal OF Vice President
Arthur to vacate the chair and per.
NIT the election OF a President
bro tenn. all ap~prehensions as to the
Presidential succession growing out Of
the grevious wounding OF the President
would be removed. But MI. Conklipg
kept his puppet firmly seated in his
chair, and the Senate was thus prevent
ed from electing a president pro tan.
And now it is intimated that it is the
duty Of the Democrats, ''out OF love OF
country" to elect a Republican! or, as
a compromise, to select an Independent
category in which the traitor Ma
hone would probably include himself.
The details Of the disgraceful bargains
between the Virginia renegade SEN
ator and the. Republicans are
too fresh in the minds OF
the public to require any words OF
apology for the Democrats TO assert
their rights, if indeed any such were
needed. Let the fight be a square n
between representative party men, such,
for example, as Anthony on the n
side and Bayard or Harris on the other;
but under no circumstances let US have
any independent" compromise" or
D. L. ID. compromise candidate. The
country has been nauseateS with this
style OF politician and don't want
any more Of him. As a matter
of fact, as the case now stands
should Arthur be called TO the
Presidency-the Democrats are by a
clear majority eRtled to the Presidency
OF the Senate, and they should see to it
that nothing prevents them from de-
handing it at the proper time. Let the
responsibility, il any is found to exist,
rest where it properly belongs-on the
Republican obstructionists, who for
months, by means OF bargaining. with
corrupt men and arbitrary acts, prevent
ed the election Of q President pro tenn,
and by 80 doing rendered anarchy pos.
sible in the event Of the deaths OF the
President and Vice President