National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05
NONSENSE ABOUT BAYoNETs.
The Expiring Democratic ASS Kicks at
the Soldiers.

The Expiring Democratic ASS Kicks at
the Soldiers.
The House met at ten o'clock yester-
day morning On motion of Mr. King Senate
amendment was eoncurred In to the bill dividing
the State of Louisiana into two judicial districts
Mr.. Hutchins, rising to a question of privilege,
said that he had attempted to enter the Capitol at
the Senate wing and that he had been stopped by
man dressed in military attire, with arms
in his hand, who refused him admittauce
He had stated that he was a member of
Congress, and he had then been admitted. He
desired to know by what authority g mill
tary in place Of q civil force was placed
at the doors of the Capitol. He wanted to call the
attention of the House and country to this fact 1t
was small matter now but in the future it might
not be. He therefore offered the following resolu
ton:
Whereas members of this House have this day
been refused admission to the Capitol of the Ma
ton by armed military force
'ReSOlped That this breach of the parliamentary
and constitutional privilege of the members of this
House, the going TO and returning from the same,
merits its seyerest censuTe.
Mr.. Warner-Ths is not light matter. Bayonets
ought never to be crossed here.
Mr.. Frost stated that he had also been refused
admission. He did not wish to make mountain
out Of q nole-hill but that which might be harm
less at present might prove precedent OF a most
dangerous character. The time might come Che
did not anticipate that 1t would) when that which
now passed without protest might be held up as a
precedent, and precedent set by a Democratic
House and Senate for the purpose of trsmpling on
the liberties of both of those assemblies. There
had been instances in the past, not only in Eng
land, but in this country, at not very distant Pc
riod, of armed troops being stationed at the doors
of legislative assemblies; and it was because the
Democratic party did not wish to sanction that
state of affairs that the resolution was offered.
Mr.. Frye-The gentleman need not be alarmed.
Nobody viii ever follow Democratic precedent.
[Laughter.l
Mr. Berry stated that he had also been stopped
at the entrance of the Senate by an armed man
dressed i'll blue. [Derisive laughter and cries of
that's what's the matter" on Republican sidel.
Mr.. Price stated that the men were there to pro-
tect this body from the mob on the outside-he
should have said crowd.
At this point proceedings were suspended, and
Mr.. Cox having taken the chair, Mr.. Conger said
that it was with pleasure that he was permitted to
offer the following resolution:
That the thanks of this House are due and ten
dered to the Hon. S. ]. Randall, the Speaker, for
the ability, fairness, and courtesy with which he
hes presided over its deliberations during the
FOrty-Sixth Congress.
This resolution was adopted, the only negative
vote being cast by Mr.. Young, of Ohio.
The consideration of the resolution before the
House having been resumed,
Mr. Warner spoke in its supports By what au-
thority were armed men stationed about the Capt.
toll? [''Give it up" from Republican side] The
gentleman from Iowa had stated that it was for
the protection of the House Had 1t come to this,
that there must be soldiery about the legislative
assemblies to protect them? He had seen bayo-
nets placed across the entrance OF assemblies
in other countries, but he had never expected to
see them about the Capitol of the United States.
Mr.. Frye-There are some soldiers in the gallery
now; look out for them.
Mr.. Warner-I am glad to see them but they are
not here for our protection.
The confusion in the hall was very great, which
fact was attributed by Mr. Congcr to the alarm felt
at the presence of the military in the galleries.
Mr.. Carlisle said that he had no donbt that the
armed soldiers had been placed around the Capitol
as part of the police force to preserve order. any
harm had been done let the House, IN calm and
dispassionate way express its opinion: but let it
not make great sensation over small thing He
admitted that it was a bad precedent and ought
not 10 be tolerated, especially if the troops had
been stationed here for improper purposes. But if
a mere mistake had been made 10 preserve order
the House ought not to fall into high state of ex-
element about it.
Mr. Warner-If it is q mistake let Us know it,
Mr.. Sparks thought that the placing Of these
men was simple action the part of the Ser
geant at-Arms, and not thing TO make row
about.
Mr.. Knott offered Il substitute for the resolution
declaring that the placing Of an armed force at
the doors of the Capitol Is without authority of
law breach of tie privileges of this House, and
a restraint on The liberties of the citizen which
should be condemned. and directing the Speaker
fIa;r ol,a
OF this hall.
Mr.. Hutchins accepted the substitute, but refused
TO yield to Mr.. Browne to insert, "by Democratic
Sergeant -at-Arms of the Senate"
Mr. CongeT moved TO lay the whole subject on
the table Rejected-yeas. 96 nays, 120. Then, it
being ten minutes OF twelve, Mr. Hutchins stated
that he would ask no further action OIL his reso
luton.
Mr. Young, OF Ohio, criticised the action of the
appointed to investigate his election for
not making report and then the hour Of twelve
having arrived the Speaker said; " The work of
the Forty Congress is done. Before uttering
the final words of its adjournment precedent JUS
titles q few appropriate reflections. In 1874 the
Democratic party after long interval obtained
control of this House. With the close of this ses-
sion it is again in minority. At the outset it
had TO face financial crisis almost unparalleled
in our hstory-lsbor unemployed, trade depressed,
distress, widespread gloom every
where II stopped extravaganza, established econ
omy in administration, restored confidence, and
now, with gladness, it beholdS the Repub- |
lie launched on a career of unexampled |
prosperity. It found gold at a premium and the /
notes OF the Government at a discount 1t leaves |
the credit of the United States better than ever
before aud unequaled in the money markets of the
world. 1t has witnessed the removal of sectional |
distrt and the restoration of perfect unity within
our borders. 1t has given birth to an era of fra
Iernal concord Men of all classes and every sec
ton seen now 10 strive who shall best serve the
common veal. With the expenditures OF the
Government lesscned and the payment oil interest
reduced, the browning triumph OF DEM
ocratic administration was the eheu 10
refund the public debt st three Per cent.