The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-07
Senate Scene.
VOORHEES, AND MALONE.


In the Senate Friday Mr. Voorhees, had read an
extract from the Philadelphia Eeening Telegraph,
a Republican paper, which refers to Malone as a
''renegade Democrat" repudiationist, and charg-
ing that his acting with the Republicans in
consequence Of "disgraceful bargain" Subse-
quently, at the suggestion of Mr.. Hoar, Mr.. voor-
hees disclafmed any endorsement OF any express
sion in the article which might be construed as
making personal quarrel either with Senator Ma
hone or the President.
Mr.. Malone (rising unexpectedly said: 81 rise
to ascertain whether l correctly understand the
Senator from Illinois (meaning Indiana and Voor-
hees) as saying that the article which he had read
from Philadelphia paper (the Bpeming Telegraph
his speech? pause for reply"
Mr.. Voorhees, (who had in the meantime moved
to the Republican side of the chamber, and taken
chair very short distance from Mr.. Mahone) re-
piled in courteous but resolute tone. He said :
81 sent to the Clerks desk article from leading
Republican paper edited by allies Of the Senator
from Virginia. Soon afterwards the Senator from
Massachusetts, (AIr. Hoar) came to me and asked me
to soften that article by disclaiming it speech
did so, III response to that suggestion. If the
Senator from Virginia expects anything further
than that from me he is mistaken, entirely mis-
taken He will have to deal with the Republican
editor Of that paper. And when he settles with him
If he has anything further to settle with me he will
find me here, and will not only find me here, but
find me willing to respond. do not mean that In
any offensive sense whatever, but in sense Of alb
solute Justice. II the Senator from Virginia, so
terms in which his Republican allies and the Re-
publican newspapers speak Of him, and Is COM
planning of Democratic Senators who simply ask
that the terms In which he Is spoken OF by his Re-
publican friends may be KNOWN he has more
difficult road to travel than he has conceived of.
He need not think for one moment that he can
coerce or dictate the course of debate on this
floor. made large concession. did 1t from my
heart, and with no possible d1srespect to the Sena
tor from Virginia; not the slightest. did 1t be-
cause I thought 1t was right, when the distin-
guished and cultured Senator from Massachusetts
called my attention to it, But II the Senator from
Virginia thinks he stretch by one hairs breadth
something between the gentleman from Massachu-
selts and myself, and coerce me into single
cession beyond that he Is entirely mistaken. am
just on this floor, and intend to be just But when
send to the desk to have read editorial from
of the leading newspapers of the United States
am to be called In question on this side Of the
chamber? The Senator from Massachusetts has had
my generation for twenty years. He knows that
not for my life would do an act of injustice, nor
would do an act dictated to me in the spirit In
which the gentleman from Virginia rose"
very simple question stated the case to this Sem
Senator from Illinois (meantng Indfana) had read
to this House an article from newspaper in which
different references to myself were made, the Sena
tor having stated that that part of his speech.
Now, what have arisen for, Notwithstanding what
the Senator has said to my friend from Massachu-
setts, is to ask the Senator from Indiana whether
not these personal references to myself were of his
own accord? And that speaking tmperatively) Is
the question ask the Senator now. The Senator
has said he did not want to be dictated to- and that
Ia the course of this debate the privilege will be
exercised of having newspaper articles read at the
desk. 1 make objection to that-none Whatever
and 1t Is not Of that complain. But when the
Senator that that article Is his speech he stands
In the attitude of the man who wrote 1t. The Sena
tor takes the liberty of referring me to the news
paper man for settlement. shall select my own
course in this matter"
Mr. voorhees, (deiantly): eselect me whenever
you please
Mr.. Malone (resolutely): 81 select you now"
Mr.. Voorhees, (contemptuously): swell, select
me now"
- Me- Mahans, lpersisting in his point: II hays
called upon you in this house u sas MAesnsE or
Before he had time to finish the sentence Mr.
Voorhees,, anticipating and throwing off the self
restraint which he had observed up to this point
said (passionately): ssThen endorse every single
word which was said in the article"
Mr. Malone (breaking IN: ''Then say that the
honorable or brave man would make, and 1 de-
nounce you as such here"
and hereafter"
Mr.. Malone: 'The hereafter will come as soon
as you want 1t to-"
Mr.. Voorhees,: 81 we'll know exactly how to meet
it. endorse every word said in that article. en-
dorse the term renegade Democrat. I endorse
everything in 1t that may be construed to reflect on
the course of the Senator from Virginia. and with
out his taking time to put words upon me he can
seek his redress. There Is in making any
mistake about this matter at all. heard the Sena
tor from Virginia stand here and shout out, THAT
thing had to STOP Suppose it dont9 know it
very cheap" (Alluding to Mr.. Mahone's express
sion.)
Mr.. Malone: s.It is very cheap Mr. President, to
deal in such bravado the gentleman from Illinois
(meaning Indiana) does.'
MI voorhees, VINO was walking over TO MS own
chair when Mr.. Mahones last remark made,
turned round and said: s'The Senator alludes to
as the Senator from Illinois. Isuppose he will take
no exception, therefore, If allude to him as the
Senator from Vermont"
Mr.. Malone continuing and completing his SEN
tence): stBut when the gentleman says that he
dorses the sentiment of that newspaper article, 1
undertake to characterize 1t here such that no
brave or honorable man would make in this cham
Der. Now let him take that with him and wear 1t
Some Democratic Senators here suggested to Mr..
Voorhees, to say no more; but not needing the ad-
vice, Mr.. Voorhees, retorted; "The question about
taking and wearing thing depends a good deal
upon here and hereafter"