The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-04-07

was cheated of bis ballot, failed TO
tbrob with one impulse In favor for an
American citizen incarcerated in foreign
prison. Nothing could be done until the
party organization had been completed, to
say nothing of party contracts. He would
not characterize such action. Let the coun-
try characterize it and let posterity spurn il
and spit it out, as it would. The denial of
the right Of petition was fragrant crime
against the constitution. Continuing, he
said: Suppose that this resolution, instead of
being treaty between members of different
political organizations, was treaty with
some foreign power and the minority of
little more than oRe-tbird should say it is
fraud and bargain; would the senator from
Mississippi arise and demand that the
majority rule, and that there should be either
free ballot, priceless ballot, or.paid for
by some dirty coDnivance? He alluded to
the electoral commission, asserting that the
very men who had engineered that compre-
hensive and important fraud were nov call
iug out, submit TO the majority" No, the
democrats would protect said rights given
to majorities by the constitution, and in
constitutional way till they were satisfied
that the motives of the senators on tho other
side we're better than they were when they
fixed up the fraud of 8 to 7. He prot eeded
to argue against the constitutional right of
the vice. president to vote on the question of
reorganizing the senate. and passing over the
question of contract between the treaty
making powers, he did, he said, not know
their circumstance. He Said the gentlemen
who had accustomed themselves to political
power, no matter by what means, might be
able to justify the means by the result; but he
could not wear an honorable character
of United States senator and for moment
have it supposed that he hal been concerned
in the villainous bargain about the officers of
the senate. In the course of bis remarks,
he alluded to Riddlebargar as "Riddlebar-
gain,'' and in correcting his mistake said he
knew there was riddle in it and thought
there was bargain in it too. In conclusion,
he said when the republicans asked the
democrats to yield, when they believed
republican contract derogatory to the honor
OF the senate, they might cry, and demand,
and charge treason on the democrats until
doomsday, and still The democrats would be
found upon the floor.
Several roll calls we're then ordered upon
various motions, all of which were voted
down.
Mr.. Burnside said the precedent had been
established two years ago, and insisted on the
right of the msjvrity to rule.
MIR. Hill remarked that the democrats
submitted to the appointment of the
committees because they were indispensable
in the transaction of business; but the ap-
pointment OF officers was unnecessary, and if
the democratic party yielded to tDat ap.
pontment, they would become q party to
whatever bargain exists
MIR. Burnside asked Mr.. Hill whether he
believed there was single senator on the
! republican side who would accept commit
tee obtained through freud, or would engage
in any fraud and transaction of that kind.
MIR. Hill replied-I will not give an i'm
| proper answer to an improper question, but
| say to the senator do in my conscience
believe that the majority on that side has
been procured by illegitimate means.
Mr.. Bayard thought it in his power
to show by an impartial
standing where they stood. He would not,
not speak to the prejudice of either side of
| the chamber.
Mr.. Sherman said the bulk of this contest,
involvings few officers, was a principal which
was recognized in every deliberative body in
the world-that was that tho minority must
decide every question whichscame before it.
He argued at some length ia opposition
to the right of minorities to flibusier by
Withholding their votes, and the criticized
action OF his party as socisls, as having at
various times resorted to that practice he
was glad 10 cooperate with the senator from
Virginia Mahone) and believed the govern
msnt would see the dawning of new day
for the south; the solid south would be
broken and American politics cease 10 be
sectional and become national.
Considerable discussion followed, partici-
psted in by Messrs. Bsysrd, Logsn, Beck
and Hawley, and, at 3:45, on motion of Mr..
Dawes, the senate adjourned.