Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-06

] Oh the ~ II a
mr. Hill Thinks of His Republican
AssOcIates-Some Remarks of mr..
Sherman-The Cabinet Discussing
the Finances.
WASHINGTON, April 5.-To-day's Cabinet
meeting was devoted almost entirely to the
consideration Of the financial questions con-
nected with refunding operations and
maturing bonds. What conclusions, If any,
were arrived at have not transpired. No
allusiOn whatever was made to the disputed
nominations in the session to- day.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The President laid before the Senate a
communication from the Secretary Of State
transmitting copy of the response Of the
Russian Government to the communication
made to it by the United States Minister, of
the Senate resolution on the death of the
late Emperor of the Russias. Ordered print
ed.
The pending business, being the resolu-
tion for the election of officers of the Sen
ate, was then taken up. The usual motion,
made by Mr.. Harris, to go into executive
session was as usual voted down-Yeas %,
nays 80
Mr.. Saunders stated he had transferred to
Mr.. Malone, who was temporarily absent
from the chamber, the pair which had pre-
viously existed between himself and Mr..
Williams, and that he (Mr. Saunders) would
therefore vote ''no."
Mr.. Beck desired to say that the transfer
was not made with the consent of his col
league, who had referred to him ell matters
of this kind, and he protested against the
transfer in that way.
The appearance of Mr.. Malone in the
chamber at this moment put an end to
further discussion, and the roll call was
concluded.
Mr.. Mcpherson asked leave to present
the petition of certain citizens OF New Jer-
sey and New York.
Mr.. Hoar objected.
Mr.. Mcpherson thought It strange pro-
ceeding to deny the right of petition. He
had petition reciting the fact that Michael
Boyton, citizen of the United States, had
been arrested and thrown into prison by the
British Government on vague charges of in
citing crime and violence, and had been
denied the right TO a trial before a
jury of his peers, and calling upon Congress
to demand that the United States Govern
ment should interfere for his protection.
The petition was signed by members of GER
tain Land Leagues in New Jersey and New
York. Did the Senator still object?
Mr.. HoSr-The Senate desires to elect
| officers to record all business, and as soon
as that is done the petition can be received.
Mr.. McPherson-I would like to ask the
/ Senator whether we have not a recording
officer? Is there any lack of officers in the
Senator
Mr.. Roar-I think that is thing to be
! determined by the Senate The Senator
/ thinks it is a thing to be determined in vio-
! ln%; - Abn GnpsAff,,ft1., - Ia
| States by minority Of the Senate.
Mr.. McPherson-I do not believe 1t is
done in violation of the Constitution. be-
! lieve that the Constitution protects the
| right of the minority. [ believe that the
rules of the Senate were agreed
to for the purpose of protecting legislation.
l submit a petition signed by certain citi-
zens OF New Jersey and New York calling
! attention to the fact that a citizen Of the
! United States is held IN prison con-
trery to law aud justice. The Sena-
tor refuses to have the petition con-
sidered and referred to the Committee on
| Foreign Relations. The Senator rises In his
| place and declares that even the case of this
poor man shall not be considered. 1t pleases
the majority on that side to first disorganize
the Senate and then reorganiZe. This is the
strangest proceeding l have seen In this
most singular of all proceedings.
Several dilatorY motions having been
voted down, Mr.. Morgan took the floor.
He called attention to the present condition
Of the Senate, and predicted that If the
same spirit which now prevailed should
continue for the next two years,
the Senate would find itself in
most serious nature. He could not
see by what power these dificul.
ties were to be removed otherwise
than by the just and honorahle considera-
! ton of all questions when Involved the
welfare OF the country. The Democrats of
the Senate had the stigma of trtason put
upon them because they had MT seen
| what they conceived to be gross an0un-
manly fraud They had been taunted With
| treason because they had dared to undel
take on this floor to prevent its being
carried into effect by their assistance or con-
sent This morning the right of petition
had been denied to an American citizens.
| II that were stalWartism or Republicanism,
| it was not the sort found in the Constitu.
! ton. Before the right of petition guaran-
teed under the Constitution could be exer-
! cised In favor of a citizen, it was necessary
! to elect Secretary and Doorkeeper. The
heart that burned for love of
| the negro, who, 1t was claimed,
was cheated of his ballot, failed
to throb with one impulse in favor Of
/ an AIGflcdu ClblLCn luCdACCIdGOQ III q IOI-
eign prison. Nothing could be done until
the party organization had been
| completed, to say nothing of
party contracts. He would not characterize
| such an action. Let the country character
! ize it, and let posterity spurn it and spit it
out as it would. This denial of the right of
petition was a fragrant crime against the
! Constitution.
Continuing, he said: "suppose that this
resolution, instead of being a treaty between
members of different political organizations,
was a treaty with some foreign power, and
minority of little more than
one-third should say, 1t is a fraud
and bargain would the Sen
atOr from Massachusetts, arise and
demand that the minority should rule, and
! that there should be either free ballot, a
priceless BALLOT or a ballot paid for by
some dirty conniyance ?" He alluded to the
| electoral commission, asserting that the
yery men who had engineered that COM
prehensive and immortal fraud were now
| calling out 'fsubmft to the majority" No
The Democrats would protect the sacred
right given to minorities by the Constitu-
tiou. and in a constitutional way, until they
were satisfied that the motives of the Sena-
tors on the other side were better than they
had been when they fixed up the fraud Of
Sto7. He proceeded to argue against the
| constitutional right of the Vice President
to vote upon the question Of reorganizing
the Senate, and passing over the question of
a contract between the 'streaty making
powers" ;" for he did not know the circum-
stances, said the gentlemen who had accus-
toned themselves To the requirement of po-
litical power, no matter by what means,
might be able to justify the
means by the result, but he
could not wear the honorable character of
United States Senator and for a moment
have 1t supposed that he had been concern
ed in q villainous bargain about the officers
of the Senate. In the course of his remarks
he alluded to Mr.. Riddleberger as ''Riddle-
bargain" and in correcting his mis-
take stated he knew there was
a "riddlen in it and thought there was a
'tbargain" too. In conclusion, be said that
| when the Republicans command the Demo
I Gratis to yield Yhen they believe there was a
Republican contract derogatory to the
honor of the Senate, they might cry and
demand, and charge treason upon the
Democrats until doomsday, and still the
| Democrats would be found upon the floor.
Several roll calls were then ordered upon
various motions, all Of which were voted
| down.
Mr.. Burnside said the precedent had
been established two years, and insisted
upon the right of the majority to rule.
Mr.. Hill remarked that the Democrats
submitted to the appointment of the commit
tees because they were indispensable to
the transaction OF business, but the appoint
ment of officers was not necessary, and II
the Democrats yielded to their appointment
they would become party to whatever bar
gain exists.
Mr. burnside asl,ed Mr.. Hill whether he