Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-04-07
VOORHEES, AND MALONE.
A Lively Scene In the Senate-Mahone
Tries to Bully voorhees, with Poor

success,
WASHINGTON. April 2.-The dullness of
the Senate debate got livene1 up little
late in the evening yesterday by a per
sOnal alteration between Malone and
Voorhees,. All day long the debate had
maundered on about Southern affairs and
the old dry musty straw was beaten and
shaken up with as much vigor as though
it was fresh from the harvest field.
There wasn't particle of interest in
what was said or done until Mr.. Voor-
hees took the floor and sent to the Clerks
desk and had read an extract from the
Erening Telegram of Philadelphia. Re-
publican paper, which alluded to Malone
as a renegade Democrat, and charging
his acting with the Republicans was in
consequence of a disgraceful bargain.
Mr.. Hoar objected to its being read
and Mr.. VOORHEES, stated that he would
indorse it and make it his speech.
Mr.. Hoar then raised point of order
against the reading of the article, which
was Overruled by the President pro TEN.
ingalls,.
Subsequently Voorhees,, at Mr.. Hoar's
private suggestion, disclaimed any in
dorsement of any expression in the ar
ticle which might be construed in a way
of making personal quarrel with either
OF the gentleman alluded to in it (Mahone
and the Vice President
At this point of the proceedings, when
the discussion had lost its life and fire,
when the audience in the galleries had
become less numerous and when all were
looking forward to immediate adjourn
ment, the most exciting scene of the day
took place.
Mr.. Malone, of Virginia, (rsing unex-
pectedly said--I rise to ascertain whether
l correctly understood the Senator from
Illinois, (meaning Indiana and Mr.. Voor.
hees) as saying the article which he had
read from a Philadelphia paper (the
Evening Telegram was his speech. In
that article am referred to as renegade
Democrat" further on as "repudiation-
list" and further on as having entered in
to bargain with the Republican Sena-
tors in regard to the organization of the
Senate. If | have recited correctly what
is stated in that article ask the Senator
whether that is his speech-a pause-and
l pause for reply.
Mr.. VOORHEES, (who had in the mean
time moved to the Republican side of the
chamber and taken chair at a very
short distance from Mr.. Mahone) replied
In courteous but resolute tone. He said:
| sent to the clerks desk an article from
a leading Republican newspaper. edited
by the allies of the Senator from Virginia.
Soon afterwards the Senator from Mass
achusetts (Hoar) came to me in those
kindly relations which we have ever
borne to each 4Qther and asked me to
soften that article by disclaiming it as
my speech. did'so in response to that
suggestion. If the Senator from Virgin
ia expects anything further than that
from me he is mistaken; he is entirely
mistaken. He will have to deal with the
Republican editor of that paper. and
when he settles with him, if he has any
thing further to settle with lie, he will
find me here, and will not only find me
here, but find me willing to respond. l
do not mean that in any offensive sense
whatever, but in the sense of absolute
justice. IL the Senator from Virginia,
so early In this contest as now, is COM
planning of the terms IN which his Re-
publican allies and the Republican news
papers speak of him, and is complaining
of Democratic Senators who simply ask
the terms in which he is spoken of by
his Repu blican friends may be known,
he has a more difficult road to travel
than he has conceived of. He need not
think for one moment he can coerce or
dictate the course of debate on this floor.
| made large concession. | did it
from my heart, and with no possible dis
respect to the Senator from Virginia, not
the slightest. | did this because thought
it right, when the distinguished and cul-
tured Senator from Massachusetts, called
my attention to it.
Senator Hoar, seeing that Malone was
about to blunder into making disgrace
full exhibition of himself by threatening
the Indiana Senator, tried to make peace
by suggesting that Voorhees, had dis
claimed any discourtesy and that posi-
bly, Malone had not heard him. But
this didn't satisfy Malone. He was boil.
ing mad, and the comments of the Re-
publican paper that had been read stung
him to the quick. He stood up and
again demanded that Voorhees, apollo
gize. He said if the Senator should re-
fuse to do this he (Mahone) would select
his own course in the matter.
Mr.. Voorhees-( Deflantly) Select me
when ever you please.
Mr.. Mahone-(Resolu select you
now. MIR. Voorhees-(C (Conte nptuously)
Well, select me now.
Mr.. Mahone-( Persisting in his point
[ have called upon you in this House to
say whether or not
Before he had time to finish the Sen
tence, MIR. Voorhees,, anticipating it, and
throwing off the self-restraint. which he
had reserved to this point, said passion
ately: Then | indorse every single
word which was said in that article"
Mr.. Malone (breaking in)-Then | say
the references which you make to me
are such as no honorable or brave man
would make, and denounce you as such
here.
Mr.. Noorhees-That is bare question
here and hereafter.
Mr.. Mahone-The thereafter" will
come as soon as you want it to.
Mr.. Voorhees, will know exactly
how to meet it. I indorse every word
SAID in that article. 1 indorse the term
Renegade Democrat" | indorse every
thing else in it that may be construed to
reflect on the course of the Senator from
Virginia, and without his taking time
to put words upon me, he can. seek in
redress. There is no use making any
mistake about this matter at all. heard
the Senator from Virginia stand here
and shout out THAT thing had to STOP"
Suppose it don't? | know it won't with
me, by your dictation. That is cheap,
very cheap, (alluding to Mahone's ex-
pression).
Mr.. Mahone--It is very cheap, Mr..
President. to deal in such bravado as the
gentleman from Illinois (meaning India