The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-05-24
.. - 90 -------------r-----
FROM WASHINGTON.
Sudden Rousing of Senators from
Their Apathy--CamerOn Transfix-
ed and Logan ParalyZed,

Sudden ROusing of Senators from
Their Apathy--CamerOn Transfix-
ed and Logan Paralyzed.
WASHINGTON, Nav 16-It was ten
minutes after twelve to-day when Vice
President Arthur took his seat, and the
buzz which had made the meeting of the
Senate interesting 10 the spectators in
the galleries was hushed by the attitude
Of the chaplain in prayer. The demo-
cratic members stood up, while most of
the republican members bowed their
heads on their desks. The s,lemnitv of
the invocation was followed by the Vice
President presenting to the Senate a
communication frc IN the Department Of
Justice relating to revenue troubles in
the western district Of Virginia 1t was
referred in the usual formal manner, and
then the Vice President said, in tone
Of voice not calculated to excite a!ten-
ton, that he would lay before the SEN
ate communication which the Clerk OF
the Senate, Mr.. Shober, turned around
from his place to receive. Two letters
we're under the Vice Presidents right
hand, and he selected the one contained
in an official envelope, which he handed
to the Clerk. So mechanical is this part
Of the duty of the Senate Clerk that he
took the paper and read it as though i,
was Of no more consequence than hun
dreds OF communications which are laid
before the Senate In the course of its
ordinary business.
EFFECT OF TIE coMMUNIcA ALTON.
| The eye of the Clerk, however, quick
ly discovered that the communication
was important, and when be saw th'
signature of Roscoe Conkling he slight
lily elevated his voice. In the inner
room, on the democratic side, sat Sena
tors Harris, Cockerill and Coke. A
the mention of Senator Conkling's nam
Mr.. Harris leaned forward, almost aros
from his seat and said:
IL did not understand the communica
ton / ask that it may be read again.
Not soul in the galleries caught th
import, and on the republican side tn
conversation went on So usual duriu,
/ the preliminary business of each ses
sion. By this time Clerk Shober full
understood the importance of the docu
uent in bis hand, and the second read
ing left no doubt in the minds of th
, forty odd Senators on the floor as t
! why the letter had been read secon
time.
DON CAMERON TRANsFixED. :.
Senator Don Cameron, 10 his sprin
suit, had just seated himself in bis chai
land when the fact of Senator Conkling
resignation flashed upon his mind he b.
| came trans6xed. His eye was upon th
Clerk, his arms extended in the air, an
, : bis back did not need the rest which b
!. invariably seeks during the deliberation
J Of the Senate.
Even Senator Logan, accustomed t
. the din of war aud the conflicts of th
;. Senate Chamber, stood paralyzed fe
u the moment. The republicans vel
slower to betray surprise than the dem,
y Gratis. Instantly'a number of democra
: ic Senators were grouped and excbane
!. ing, opinions when the letter from Sens
;, tor Platt was read.
=. A GRAND COUP D'ErAT.
: Then all the Senators realized that Il
struggle of the last six weeks had real
eliminated in grand coup detat al
New York State was without a represe
u tative on the foor of the Senate. Tho
IS who had leaned forward expecting th
% another scene like that which was wi
a. messed when the Southern Senators wit
drew before the breaking out OF the 7
belIion resumed their Senatorial DO.
" tions and were ready for business. Sc
ator Burnside, who has the foreign r
a lations Of the country in his keepin
showed presence of mind in the "fa
j. Of the enemy" and reported back fro
his committee the resolution declaril
. the consent of the United States go
ernment to be condition precedent 4
o the construction OF interoceanic sh
canals. 1t was read, and by this tir
It Senator Dawes thought it prudent
beat retreat behind the secrets of
executive session, and moved that 4
% Senate proceed TO the consideration
executive business. The motion W
agreed to. but not without some remi
. der from the democratic side that nc
IL would be good time to assert t
J. rights of a constitutional majority al
"a elect new officers OF the Senate. T
Massachusetts Senator did not heed I
% remarks Of his democratic friends, q
p the Vice President announced that G
10 ecutive business was in order and th
,f the galleries would be cleared.