The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-10-18
WALKING.

lei II &IyA.I Nsft4HFN IT-E-- - ABEA rRAEAA a
Mr.. Edmunds appears to he greatly exer-
cised over the action If the Democratic ma
jDrity ir the Senate. He cannot, nor indeed
can his colleagues, accept the situation wi h
that degree. OF philosophy which has charac
| tegized tile Democrats during former Years of
their minority in that body. The gentleman
seems to think, the opposition should yield
the advantage which they have obtalned by
the foolish action of SOME of his party asso-
| ciates and permit the Republicans to organ
re the Senate according to their owp sweet
! will. But it must be remembered that Mr..
Penlleton and his party friends have not
dra nix of the waters of Lethe aud forgotten
the past. In organizing the Senate they are
proving to the world their aptitude to imbibe
aud practice the lessons taught them by the
cumpIainants. The history of the legis alton
il Wa shington during the past twenty Vars
does not record ALI instance wherein the Re
publlcaEs Lave failed to take advantage of
their majority. The Congressional records
axe repiete with eviderces Of arbitrary action
in the exercise of their p 'wer, and the Dem
ocra,s must be endowed with more than
angelic attributes if they failed to act in
obedience TO III" presidents set them by their
opponents. T.. ... .. .. ..:. .a.#
But ABIDE from these precedents there were
other very grave reasons why the Democrats
should pursue the course they did. Among
the high duties they are called upon to per-
form is that of guarding the portals of the
Senate chamber against the entrance of those
upon whom the faint of crime rests. In the
exercise of this privilege they examine the
credentials and otherwise pass upon the
qualifications OF new members. The two
New York Senators-elect presented them
selves or adj i. ission. Mr.. Edmunds desired
they should b, sworn in BY the senior Sefa-
tor, Nr. Anthony. His request was very
properly refused. There were two reasons
why it should have been refused. Firs., there
was no presiding officer to swear them in aud
the Senate was prepared TO elect an offic It to
perform that duty, and second, protests
against their admission were in the hands of
Senators. The natnre of the protests is well
known. 1t is claimed that the election o
Messis. Miller and l.apham was procured
by fraud: that member" of the late Albany
Legislature were, bribed to support and vote
for these .e%n,lenen, and without such bri-
berry they could not lave been elected. The
truth or falsity of these charges ale legitimate
matters for ial investigation. The
Senate owes it 10 itself, TO the gentle
men implicated and to the country
to ascertain and pass upon the facts
in the case and act accordingly. The charges
are not idle ones. Tn whole matter of the
Albany i~nvestig alton is 100 fresh in the mind
Of the public to be ignored. Three or our of
the pr ncipal acto s in the diseraceful pro-
cqedinss stand indicted for bribery. To what
extent the senators elect are tainted it re-
beers will not be true to their duty unless
they record their verdict. u
OF course there will be waiting and gnash-
ing of teeth among the less honorable of the
dominant party. Men who can condone aud
hid as active member Of their party such
men as Brady, Dorsey, French and others
whose corrupt practices are q stencil in the
nostrils of honest men can see no reason why
corruption should be banished from the
chamber of our highest legislative body.
From such We may expect to hear the voices
If wailing. Tie Democrats in the senate
will be denounced from one end to the other
of the land. Their motives for refusing to
permit the New York senators to vote in the
election of the presiding officer Of the senate
will be misconstIued and commented upon in
unmeasured terms. Murmurines and threat
enings are air. ady heard. We are told that
hereafter tley-the Republicans-''will feel
justified by taking Advantage of a majority
no matter how temporary; they should recall
all pairs. and if sickness or death should
weaken the Democratic side the Republicans
should take advantage Of it and change the Of
ficers OF the senate If II was but for = week "
When Mr. Ednunds uttered the above he
simply outlined = policy to be pursued by his
party that will not vary from that heretofore
followed. Ii, the meantime the senate will
undoubtedly pursue such y course towards
the waiting senators-elect as justice and a
proper regard for the reputation of that au-
gust body shall dictate. .f ... 8. .t.., ..3f
PRISON REFORM CONVENTIO F