Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-07
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Mr.. BAYARD ON THE TRUE IN
WARDNESS OF THE BARGAIN.
The BOytOn Petition Read and Re
ferred-mr. sherman Grows Vehe-
ment-The COlOred Virginians' FRI
butte 10 Malone.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON, April 6.-Ihe vice Presl-
dent laid before the Senate the unfinished
business, the resolution for the election Of
Senate officers.
Mr.. Mcpherson inquired why the Vice
President had not, in compliance with
the rules, called for the presentation Of pc
titions and memorials.
The Vice President replied that this being
an executive session of the Senate, there
was no morning hour.
Mr.. Ferry sustained the position of the
Chair, declaring that the rule to which
the Senator referred was applicable only to
Legislative sessions Of the Senate.
Mr.. Mcpherson then offered as his right
under the rules, q petition from certain citi-
Zens of the State of NewJersey respecting the
case of one Michael Boyton, who was alleged
tobe confined in an English dungeon arbi-
trarily and unjustly, and asked that it be re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions. There being no objection, the petit
tion was received, read and referred as indi-
Gated.
a motion made by Mr. Pendleton to go
into executive session Was rejected-yeas
30, nays 81.
Mr. Bayard took the floor. He believed,
hO o~AAs bAoo oANAO N0o IOT bu6
thirty. eight Democratic Senators In main
tanning the attitude before the country
which they had maintained for the past ten
days. He wished to try the justice of their
position by the light of law and reason, SO
that when they were called into that court
of last appeal, the bar of public opinion,
they should be willing to submit the case
which they were making now
When the Senate had met at the beginning
of the session, 1t had found itself under the
control, numerically, Of the Democrats.
They had claimed that it was
their duty to reorganize the commit
tees. Their efforts had been met
by dilatory motions on the other side,
and they had submitted to those motions.
When at length the Senate had filed up there
were still on this floor thirty-nine avowed
friends and supporters of the Democratic
standard bearer and of the principles and
party which that standard bearer represent
ed. The status of the vote had not dis
closed itself until thirty-seven avowed Re-
publican Senators had brought in a resolu-
tion assuming that they held the majority.
A great amount Of mystery had been
allowed to envelop the vote of one Sena
tor, and that mystery had remained until
that Senator had come forward and thrown
the organization Of the committees sud-
denly into the hands of the Vice President,
who was not member of the Senate. The
Democrats had yielded without dilatory
motion the control of the committees to
the Republicans, but the question now
was whether it was their duty, In the face of
all the facts, as promptly and as unques-
tionably to submit to the present motion TO
do something for which only the justifica-
tion was found in the doctrine that it was
the will Of the majority. He dwelt at length
upon the rights conferred upon minorities
by the Constitution and the laws made in
accordance with it. Instances had occurred
when he had felt it his duty, when he
thought that question was fatal to the
welfare of the country, TO interpose every
thing that he was allowed to interpose, in
order that the question might stand over
for the sober second thought and action of
the people, but there must be justification
for that action. He asserted that there was
no precedent for the present election
of Senate officers, contendiDg that
the action of the Democrats two years
ago in no respect presented a parallel case
to the present. He referred to the impor-
tant measures awaiting the action of the
Senate. In order that four subordinates of
the Senate might be turned out and four
others put in, it was as Mount Olympus to
wart to talk of passing by these great OBJ
ieets of public interest and to stoop down
to displace four acceptable officials.
Referring to the recent statement of
Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania, that
this question had in view the coming fall
election in Virginia, he characterized it as
a dangerous step in the direction of CEN
tralization. 1t was an usurpation, an in
vasion. 1t was in the strongest sense of the
word revolutionary attempt by unlawful
and illegitimate methods to control the free
election Of a State. To usurpation was
added the terrible danger OF corruption.
Because, If this man Riddleberger
of the Senate in order to influence the cleo
tiOn In Virginia, how could he do it in the
line of his public duty? There was an
other feature to this transaction. What
was the contest in Virginia which the Re-
| publicaDs expected to decide by appointing
Mr.. Riddleberger The issue was 'frepu-
diation," and 1t was on the repu-
dating side OF that issue that the
Republican party in the Senate
Riddleberger as one of its officers. 1t was
to him and his doctrines that the Republi
cans stood committed. The Grecian fable
told of q man who slew a dragon and
sewed his teeth, and whose croI Ewas armed
men who flooded the land with blood.
It Eseemed to him that If the
Republican party assisted in sewing the
seed of reputation of admitted and hon
orable obligations, it was sowing crop
worse than that of Cadmus, and one which
would bear dangerous fruit to posterity.
The Republicans had no right to strengthen
the hands of those who were actual,
| IL not avowed, repudiationists In
order to disintegrate the Democratic party
| of Virginia. He believed he was justified
in preventing the Contamination OF this
| act. This was a serious question, and might
become more serious, but by the light he
had received he stood for the present where
| he had been when the contest opened
| Mr.. Sherman said the Senator from Della
| ware and he agreed upon the principle that
/ the majority p1uet rule. When the dictates
of the minority went beyono a reasonable
| delay it became worse than revolution. It
was treason. The doctrine of the right of
the majority must prevail. He declined to
discuss at this time the position of Mr.. Ma
hone or the question of the State debt,
not being sufficiently familiar with the sub
/ ieet. il tae election Of Mr.. Riddleberger
| would strengthen the Republican party,
! then the Republican Senators were justified In
electing him. There had been no purchase,
no barter, no promise, no hope or expects-
tion of reward held out, nothing In the
movement that was corrupt.
After a few remarks of Mr.. Vance upon
| the question of the State debt of North
| Carolina, the Senate adjourned.
ANOTHER FLORAL TRIBUTE TO MAHoNB.
Mr.. Mahone's desk in the Senate Chamber
was decorated to- day with very handsome
floral anchor, 10 which was attached card
| bearing the following inscription:
"T0 Hon. W1n MdbOne:
'The colored Yirginians soiourning In
| Washington tender this as g tGkea of their
appreciation of the manly stand taken by
you in defense of free speech, free schools,
fair vote and an honest count"
NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT.
! The President sent the following nomina-
| tions TO the Senate to-day: Hiram Price, of
| Iowa, TO oe Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
vice Thomas W. Nicho1, whose noniaetion
is withdrawn at his own request; Absalom
Blythe, to be United States Marshal for
South Carolina. United States AttorHeys-
Samuel w. Melton for South Carolina, Geo.
NJ. Duskin for the Southern District of Ala
| bama.
-A.-ar.4