National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-19
BROWNS BALDERDAsH
About the People Being Behind Hina-
The Senate Cafechism.

YESTERDAY in the Senate Mr.. Brown
denied that the Democrats, by their action, had
violated any rule of the Constitution or Of Govern
ment and repealed the charge that they were OBJ
structing legislation the unconstitutional use Of
power They were acting in strict conformity to
the Constitution and laws and they proposed TO
continue to act thus as long as they thought the
public interest required it.
Mr. Blair eontended that the minority should
yield its position, though he was not opposed to
prolongation of this debate. He did not want this
! deadlock to close until next December unless
this debate was closed by that time. So far as be
was concerned, every nomination might rest where
it was until the will of the majority of this body
had been enacted.
Mr.. Brown, in replying to Mr. Blair, stated that
the people believed that there had been a fraudu-
lent bargain, which statement was denied by Mr..
Burnside.
Mr.. Brown-Well, a large proportion of them.
Mr.. Burnside-A large proportion does not.
Mr.. Brown-I take issue with the Senator. Some
of the most influential of the Republican papers
have condemned your course.
Mr.. Burnside-What Republican papers call it
fraud?
Mr.. Brown-Some have gone so far as to cal It .
corrupt bargain
Mr.. Burnside-What paper?
Mr.. Brown-I cannot recall it at this moment
so many of these assaults have been made by Re-
publican papers.
Mr. Burnside-I would not make an assertion
unless could name the papers. The Senator can
take any course he pleaSes
Mr.. Brown-I have read many Disappearing your
course
Mr.. Burnside-That any Republican paper says
that there was corrupt bargain, or anything ap-
preaching to it, deny until know what paper
it is.
Mr.. Brown-Do you believe that any Republican
paper has condemned your course?
Mr.. Burnside-A good many but they are chang
ing very fast. received a pile of letters this
morning telling me to Z" Stick stickI"
Mr. Brown get letters saying Stand all the
time; never yield" lLaughter.l 1 get them from
the North, East, West and South.
Mr.. Burnside-If we all feel like the Senator
from Georgia and myself we will stay until De-
cember.
Mr. Brown-I have never said would not. 1t
depends upon whether you hold out or not We
can divide into squads and fight you. believe
We can endure with you. We believe that the
people are behind US, and that they diSapprove
of your transaction, and intend 10 appeal to the
people upon it and take their judgment.
long and unintereSting discussion ensued, par
tieipated in by MeSsrs. Dawes Blair, and Brown.
Mr.. Logan inquired of Mr.. Brown whether the
Democrats opposed the resolution because of the
candidacy of Mr.. Riddleberger.
Mr. Brown replied that that was one Of the
reasons.
Mr. Logan inquired whether, if it were wrong
now TO elect Mr.. Riddleberger, it would not be
equally wrong i'll December What would change
the state of affairs by next December if the same
men were before the Senate? If it were wrong to
elect them now would IL be right in December?
Mr.. Brown replied that the wrong was now of a
character that it could very properly be resisted.
In December there might be something of such
importance before the Senate that the Democrats
would feel compelled to allow the Republicans to
pass the resolution and take the responsibility.
There might be usages at regular session which
would make it proper for them to withdraw their
opposition. Those reasons did not exist now.
Besides, they had no idea that they would be
troubled with Mr.. Riddleberger in December.
Mr.. Logan said that there might be an usage,
and there might not be. The question resolved
itself back to the proposition that lift was wrong
in principle now to elect man, there was nothing
that would make it right in December. When the
Senator admitted that it was wrong now, but that
it might be made right in December, he gave away
his whole case. 1t was stated that Mr.. Riddleber-
ger would be out of the way. How did the Sena-
tor know that he would be out of the way? That
was no reason. Ifthere was, as had been charged,
any bargain, would it be any less bargain in De-
eember? Every Republican knew that there
was no foundation for any such insinuation OF
innuendo.
Mr.. Brown thought that the Republicans had
good reason to do to-day what they we're doing.
Sufficient to the day was the evil thereof"
Mr. Hampton stated that he had been informed
that while the Republican caucus had been in
session the Senator from Virginia Mr.. MahoneJ
had been in the committee room on land claims,
and that messages had passed between them. He
in 10Th ~ hat, foot
MeSsrs. Logan and Dawes disclamed any knowl-
edge of such a fact and after some further discus
sion, the Senate (at 49, ON motion of Ir. Dawes
adjourned