Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-04-06
xLyIl C0NGREss-ExTRA SESSION.
SENATE.

ting a copy of the response of the Russian
government to a communication made TO II
by the United States Minister on the Senate
resolution on the death of the Emperor of
Russia. Ordered printed.
The pending resolution for the election of
officers of the Senate, was taken up.
The usual motion was made, by Mr. Har-
ris, to go into executive session; voted down,
yeas 26; nays 30.
Mr. Saunders stated he had transferred to
Mr.. Malone, who was temporarily absent,
the pair which had prev iously existed between
himself and Mr.. Williams, that he (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 all matters
OF this kind, and he protested against the
transfer in that way.
The appearance of Mr.. Malone ended the
discussion, and the roll call was concluded.
Mr.. Mcpherson asked leave to present a
petition of certain citizens of New Jersey and
New York.
Mr.. Hoar objected.
Mr.. Mcpherson thought it strange pro-
ceeiing to deny the right of petition. He
had petition reciting that Michael Beynton
citizen of the United States. had been ar
rested and thrown into prison by the British
government, on charges of enticing violence
and crime and had been denied the right #
trial before a jury of his peers, and calling
upon Congress to demand that the United
States government should interfere for his
protection.
The petition was signed by members of
certain Land Leagues in New Jersey and
New York.
Did the Senator still object?
Mr.. Hoar-The Senate desires to elect an
L
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
Senate?
Mr.. Hoar-I think that thing is to be de-
termned by the Senate. The Senator thinks
that thing to be determined in violation of
the constitution of the United States, by a
minority of the Senate.
Mr.. McPherson-I do not believe it is done
in violation of the constitution. | submit Il
petition calling attention to the fact that a
citizen of the United States IS held in prison
contrary to law and justice.
The senator refused to have the petition
considered, and referred it.
Mr. Salisbury declared that no vote would
be taken on the resolution to-day.
Mr. Mcpherson retorted upon Hoar that his
because there was no recording officer of the
Senate, was an absurd proposition.
Mr. Hoar stated that the subject matter of
the petition was already under consideration
by the State department.
Several dilatory motions having been
voted down, Mr.. Morgan took the floor
The Vice President ruled there having
been objection made, the petition could not
be received.
Mr.. Mcpherson gave notice that to-mor-
row n Orning he would call up this petition,
that the Senator from Massachusetts might
be able to state to the country the reason
which actuated HIM in preventing justice be-
ing done to an Irish American citizen held
in an English prison.
Mr. Hoar suggested the petition do not go
over until tomorrow if the democrats vote up
on the pending resolution; that this delay be-
ing attributed to the republican side was the
merest and sheerest humbug.
Mr. Morgan said The democrats in this
chamber had had the stigma of treason put
upon them because they had not seen proper
to become assisting parties to what they con-
ceived to be an unmanly fraud. This morn
ing the right of petition had been denied to
an American citizen. If it were stalwartism
or republcanism it was not the sort found in
the constitution. Before the right of petition
granted under the constitution could be ex-
ercised in favor of citizens, it was necessary
to elect George Gorham, secretary, and Mr.
Rddiebarger, door-keeper. The heart that
burned for love of the negro, who it is claimed
was cheated out of his ballot, failed to throb
with one impulse in favor of an American
citizen incarcerated in a foreign prison.
Nothing could be done until party organiza,
ton had been completed, to say nothing of
party contracts. He would not characterize
such actions. Let the country characterize
it, and let posterity characterize it, and let
posterity spurn it and spit it out as it would
this denial of the right of petition. 1t was a
fragrant crime against the constitution. A
crime which consisted in absolutely tramp-
ling under foot the positive and plain guaran-
tees of the constitution. He proceeded to
argue against the constitutional right of the
vice president to vote upon the question of
recognizing the Senate. In comprising the
majority which the senator from Massacbu-
setts Dawes. spoke so much about, the
vice president was included and New York
was given three senators on the floor.
Mr.. Dawes-If the minority is one-haIf nm
this side, why not vote upon the resolution
and reject it.
Mr.. Morgan-You have on that side a
majority such as the senator is able to fix up
through his remarkable arts of persua
sion and beautiful tricks of trade. No
man exceeds the senator from Mass. in
manipulating his little game He is
saint to look at, but whoever undertakes to
bet against him, stakes his money against
Heather Chinee.'
Mr. Dawes-It represents just that sort of
majority that the senator decide. Mr.
Morgan said that sometimes fraud got the
upper hand; but that was no reason a man
should sit down simpering and put his fingers
IN his mouth, but alluded to the cheerful
countenance which Mr.. Dawes every day
turned to the pleased galleries, and likened him
to the lacidmorian youth who had stolen a
fox and hidden it beneath his shirt. bear
ing, with smiling face, the gnawing of the
beast at his vitals. until he had fallen dead.
he said that when the republicans presented
a resolution not. founded apparently on
bargain, then the democrats would vote upon
IT, but, he said. when YOU command MS 10
yield to you, when We believe your contract
derosatory to the honor of this body, you
NAV cry and dem nd and cba.,,a