Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-03-17
BEN HILL AND MAaoNE.
The Virginia Readjuster Shows His
Hand and Replies In an Excited
Speech to vigorous Onslaught by
HiII-A DisgracefuI Scene I'm the

Speech 10 u VIGOROUS Vushaubht ~
HiII-A Disgraceful Scene In the
Senate.
Special dispatch to Philadelphia Times,
WASHINGTON, March l4.-As anticipa-
ted last night, the struggle for the Senate
organization, which has been up to this
time chiefly confined to the caucuses, was
transferred to the floor of the Senate.
Public expectation was at the highest
pitch. The Senate galleries were crowded
at an early hour and even the corridors
were thronged with eXpectant people.
Had there been twice the room the gal
leries would have been packed by the
public which tlocked to the Capitol and
yet great numbers would have been
turned away, The pressure for place was
greater than upon Inauguration day.
Even the floor of the Senate chamber was
crowded to the full extent of standing
room. Every Senator was in his seat at
II. Behind them We're members OF the
lower house and eS-members, and it
seemed as ii every one who was entitled
to the privilege of the floor was on
hand. The interest seemed to centre in
a sight OF the why little Senator from
Virginia. Malone got up just before the
Senate was called to order and went into
a cloak room for a few minutes, III com
pany with Senator Logan. At this signiii-
cant movement every neck was craned
to catch a glimpse Of him. A loud buzz
went over the multitude in the galleries,
which caused the Senators below to look
up. They appeared to take in the situa-
ton at a glance, the Republicans smiling
at each other and the Democrats looking
serious. a good many We're whispering
together, conspicuously a little knot about
Mr.. Conkling. When Malone returned
to his seat there was another twisting of
necks and another hum, more subdued
than before, for the Senate was now in
session. .....
WAITING TO SEE ROW.
This crowd had gathered to see a row.
If they had put up the job they could not
have been more satisfied before the day
closed, for il was day characterized by u
scene which was one of the most remark
| able in the annals of the Senate since the
beginning of the war. 1t was big in
situation. Here were two opposing par
ties, pitted the one against the other,
equal in numbers and very nearly equal
in ability and strategic force. They
would have been the object OF interest
under any legislative circumstances, but
| the presence of single unknown guam
| tity, which was ready to make or destroy
either Of these two capabilities, lent the
| occasion an intrinsic interest which has
never before attached to the American Sen
ate. That unknown quantity was small.
| 1t was but single vote and this vote that
OF the most insignificant man in the entire
| body. The ball was opened Immediately
| by Senator Pendlet"n who called up the
Democratic resolution to appoint the com
mittees. 1t created the initial sensation.
| Mr.. Pendleton launched into long
| speech, which he began by a studied re
view of the situation. He said the
| Republicans had claimed the constitu-
tional majority of the Senate when the
seats now vacant were filled. but the
Democrats had no knowledge of this
majority until it really existed. He
denounced the charge that his party were
attempting to seize the organization Of
the Senate, and said they only wanted to
organize to go ahead with private bust
ness. He then referred to the
mysterious eoncavcs and conferences
between certain Senator (mean-
ing Mahone) and the leaders OF
the Republican party. Here was the
tenth day of the session aud, although
over Il hundred nominations were pend
ing, the committees to pass upon such
nominations were not organized. The
Republicans, ii in the majority, should 20
ahead and organize or give some assur-
ance when such was to be done. lie had
himself made direct ovcrturrs to the Re-
publiGans to confer with the Democrats as
to organization, but they had refused Ia
do anything and did not want ans body
else to do anything, on the ground that
there We're vacant seats. The only propo-
stion from them was that the Democrats
should pair their active, live Senators
with the Republican vacant seats and
yet this was the party charging the Dem
ocrats with setzing upon the organza-
ton.
MALONE CASTS REPUBLICAN, VOTE.
When Pendleton sat down a solemn
hush spread over the chamber. 1t lasted
for fully two minutes and to the expect.
ant galleries seemed ten. Then pemdle.
ton rose again and said if no one wished
to say anything they had better proceed
to vote. Conkling suggested adjourn.
ment. The list Of committees was being
read when Bayard rose aud made an
appeal to the other side to permit the
organization to 80 on. When they got
their majority the Republicans could re.
versc it. Allison wanted to 90 into
executive session, but Hill objected
as nothing could he done. The
yeas and nays We're called ON this,
however, and the proposition was rejected
by strict party vote of 81 to 3D. Mahun,
voted with the Republicans. As he lid
so lac was greeted with round of ap.
pause from the galleries. succeeded hy q
few misses. Conkline then replied Il
Pendleton. lie reviewed the action Of tn,
Democrats, and said ii the trains were on
time the Senator from Minnesota would
he here ON Wednesday and the Republi.
cans would have the strength to overtnm
any action now taken. Applause followed
Conkling also, which the Vice President
made no effort to check.
mn ANn MAn0NE Al rr.
Ben Hill took the floor in reply. II,
mace a very cauStie speech upon the situ.
alton and toward the close uvrrhauled
that Senator who had been elected as a
Democrat and now was acting with III,
R"publlrans. II" turned toward Mahunr
without naming him, and arrtigurd him
rs a traitor in the most wthrIin- inyrc.
tive. The effect was heightened by iiill's
seurnful manner. Nhile no word mdi
Gated the person l,r nraut there was moi
one there but lSur~. Malone kuew il.
too. lie squinnrd in his seat q Il
every word from hin WIS 4 4taL
ncrv"uSly lmu'dme hi- key ana tap
ping his foot On tine CARPET. Every
eye was directed upon him, lni h., knew
this also. When llill hnd r,asri Mal,oar
sprang I" hi f'rt and advancing. ,lawl
between Tho desks stpoi t;iciu- th. sen.
ate from the space in front Of the score
tary desk. lie thrrr launched forth ii
most inpmsoiunrd sprrrh. directed
mostly at llll. He defined his position
by declaring that he hat not Lrcl
elected by the Democratic party. but ii
opposition to il, and h. hurled the word
traitor back into Tia" teeth of the gentle
man from Georgia. lie WA, no traitor
but stood there not the representative -
the Democratic party to hr ruwrd rs til,
party lash, but representing the interest,
, of Virginia. Malone is a rapid and .n4.
tirulating speaker awkward and incon
sequential IN appearance, but forcibl.
and earnest in ntterancc When he mi
down round Of applause, followed
against the indignant protests and anrr,
looks of dozen senators. Mahonr had
scarcely ceased before Hill was again OF
his feet. This time his remark, w.r,
more bitterly personal than ever t.
Malone He bp1nn a l;.t.,, .;,,n D. -.