New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-06
NEW DEMOCRATIC ISSUE.

ATTEMPT IN THE SENATE TO DIVERT PUBLIC AT.
TFNIroN-A SIGNAL rAUURE-Ex.sEcRHTARY
SHERMAN on The RIGHTS OF THE MAJORITY.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUSE-l
WASHINGTON. April 5.-rhe Senate did not elect
officers today nor did it do any other business The
Democrats appeared anxious to avoid any further
talk about State reputation or the suppression of
the Republican vote in the South. Accordingly.
Mr. Mcpherson. of New-Jersey undertook to raise
an entirely new issue. He had received q petition
from members Of certain Laud Leagues IN NewJersey
and NeY-York praying for the !nterpositon OF
the United States Government to secure the release
OF Michael lytOn, who claims 10 be a citizen of tho
United States, and who has lately been arrested by
the British authorities on account Of alleged offences
against British law. Mr.. Mcpherson desired that
this petition should be received and referred TO tho
Committee Foreign Relations. Sir. tloar re-
minded Mr.. Mcpherson that this business could be
attended to in five minutes after the pending rcsou-
ton 10 elect officers should have been disposed Of
He also remarked that the State Department has
Mr. B0ytOus case under consideration, aud Will talo
whatever action may be necessary IN the premises.
These assurances made no impression upon Mr.
Mcpherson. upon Mr.. Morgan. of AlabamI,
who found :" the sacred right OF petition a safer
topc for him 10 discuss than is reputation or
political budozng; so both gentlemen made
speeches.
There was sharp passage between General Burn
side and Senator Hi, which resulted dsastrousy
TO the Georgia Senator. He had interrupted Cen
eral Burnside several times with questions about
"bargain>,' ETC.. and had been frankly answered
Then General Burnside assumed the roll of catechist
and SAID have answered all the Senator's qucs-
tons. Now would like 10 have him tell
whether he believes there is man on this side Of
the Chamber who would hold for day the chalr-
maushlp OF a committee obtained through fraud or
a bargain or in any dishOnOrabe wayp Mr. Hill
dared not answer tins question III the affirmative.
negative answer would have been complete self
qualification. Consequently he sneakcd ont OF tho
scrape as best he could, and kept quiet during the
remainder OF the afternoon.
At the end Of tho colloQuy. Mr.. Bayard appeared
10 reazs that this sort of thing would not do He
ther. fore made a few remarks, IN which he said that
be shoud Hereafter take occasion to prove. without
al .rcssing himself to party prejudice that tho
Democratic minority IN the Senate If JUSTIFIED In
pursuing It's present course Of obstruction.
After few sentences Mr.. Bayard sat down. and
Mr. sherman, who has hitherto taken no part in tho
discussions. took the floor. In vigorous speech
which challenged the attention Of the Democrats
Mr. sherman clearly demonstrated that the right Of
a majority of one to direct and control the business
| u the senate was complete and perfect as that
Of majority of twenty; and that the course OF tho
minority 10 carrying obstruction TO the exercise Of
that right the point which they have now reached
is unconstitutional and revolutionary. The speech
was cogent AID con yiucIng. Mr. Bayard essayed
reply bat bad not spoken ten miuutcs before he fell
| into the same old rut which Senator's Hill Beck
and other Democrats have run during the last three
| weeks Nr. Sherman replied with much energy, and
fully exposed the hOOwness OF the petences set up
| by Mr. BayaTd III hls attempt 10 Justify the TeFolu-
| ti0naTy course of the minority. After Mr. sherman
| hal, ,,u.tudpI General HaWlpy claimed the nOOT.
ana delivered his maiden speech as a Senator IL
was admirable and eloquent The Democrats Will
nor br abb. 10 answer these speeches. The Republic
cans appear il possible aggressive aad deter
mined than ever to maintain their position and carry
| our their programme. Neither do tie Democrats
| show any symptoms of yielding.