The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-03-30
WASHINGTON.
A LIVELY sHAKINa-UP IN THE SENATE.
Hampton, Brown, Jonas, BECK,
Groome, Kellogg, and Others,
Indulge I'm u war of Words ON
the Reorganization OF sem
ate Officers and Commit
tees What Each said
of She other Etc.

after inc reading oil the journal, the resolution
was called up for the election of officers OF
the senate. Mr.. Johnston stated that he had
intended TO reply to the speech of his
colleague, made on yesterday, but as it did
not appear 10 the record this morning, and
as he did not wish to misrepresent his
colleague, he would postpone his reply until
he could have su opportunity to read that
speech.
Mr.. Hampton denied the statement made
on yesterday by Malone, that the democratic
party bad repudiated the debt of South
Carolina, asserting that il there had been
repudistion, it had been when the state was
under the control of the party with which
General Malone was now acting. He then
proceeded to recite the action OF the Demo-
Gratis in this special session of the
senate, their attempt to fulfill their duty in
reorganzing committees and the course pur-
sued by their opponents which was, In
his opinion, subversive of all the ussges and
precedents of this body, and WAS fraHght
with danger to legislation. The legislative
branch of the government, he argued, was
against the right of the vice president to vote
upon the election Of officers. Wherein in the
constitution was he clothed with such power?
1t had been clearly shown by many roll
calls, that the majority of the senate did not
choose to elect new officers. This special
session has been called to consider of business
sent to tue senate by the president.
Whether there was any COM
munication stating the desire fthe president
that offices of the senate should be again
filed, he did not know. Ii there was, his
side would give it ill the attention it
demanded. He regretted to say that the
senator from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Cameron.
had made this question one of endurance,
and had then gone down at the first clash of
arms, The democrats opposed the prop
osition because il would break an established
precedent, and establish bad one, because the
senate had been called here for executive
business, and, above ALL because grave
suspicious had taken hold of the public
mind that this action was the result of an
unnatural, q certain and corrupt
bargain. The senator from Virginia,
Malone, disclaimed that he had
been moved by any but pure considera-
ton. He congratulated that gentleman
and would say to him in all frankness that
ho would strengthen his position before the
had moved him. The suspicion might be
groundless but IT was due to the popular
idea of this body that II should be proven
had,recently organized committee and given
extraordinary power to investigate questions
of less importance than this. Let the
| republicans organize committee with full
power to ascertain the truth or the falsity Of
rumors which were spreading, unchallenged
throughout the country, let it find out
whether any voter in this chamber
has been controlled by the promise of place
or patronage, of the damning charge made.
If proved untrue, then stamp out oalumny
forever and forever; iftrue, the constitution
gives prompt and ample redress. 1t would
not do TO let this foul suspicion rest as it is.
Mr.. Clay had risked bis lite to vindicate
his honor, and Randolph had subsequently
made the amende honorable for the sake OF
the body. He did not wish TO 500 ono
suspicion or imputation on ts fair fame, for
the reason be did not wish TO SEQ any imme-
date action taken upon the resolution of the
senator from Massachusetts,, (Dawes.) He
referred TO tho magnanimous action of tho
democratic msiority at the last congress Ia
permitting the senator from Louisiana,
(kellogg) to retain his seat in this body. II
now appeared that that senator and the
senator from Virginia (Mahone) were not
only teachers, but masters of the republican
party. They clasped hands across the bloody
chssm, and were camoring for the red flag
and an appropriation. They sympa,hized
with the goodst,te of Virginia for speaking
in this chamber with doubtful voice, but hs
could not, he would not, he dare not
doubt that II was time that that voice would
soon be heard in inimitabe tone, declaring
for the maintenance Of public plighted
faith and political ingenuity.
MIR. Jonas said that the gentleman clamp
ton) had spoken of the msgnsnimity of the
democrats in permitting the senator from
Louisiana (Kelogg) to retain his scat. For
himself he disclained all share Of that re-
sponsibility and there were many who
Joined him in that declaration.
The people OF Louisiana, not having had the
assistance of that gentleman (IIamp,on) in
regulating tho wrong, would try to do with
ou. his sympathy, and leave that sorrow in
silence.
Mr.. Groom opposed present consideration
OF the resolution for the reelection of senate
officers, basing his opinion principally on
tue ground that Il would be working grea,
hardship and injustice to the present
incumbents
Mr.. Brown proceeded at somo length u
answer tho charges made against him by Mr..
Malone yesterday. Referring 90 that por-
iinn of Mahenc's speech concerning his
| (Brown's) record, he said tho gentleman
from Virginia has grossly misroprsented II.
Tho gentleman had charged him with incon.
sietoncy. uo admitted tnn position which hs