Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-06
2he Senate.

~ 2he Senate.
WAsmNGroN, April 5.-The pending busi
hess, resolution for the election of officers OF
the Senate, was taken up.
\ motion by senator Harris 10 go into eX-
ccutiye session was lost, yeas %, nays 80.
senator Mcpherson asked leave to present a
petition from certain citizens of New Jersey
and New York.
Senator Hoar objected.
Senator Mcpherson thought it 1 strange
proceeding to deny The right TO present the
petition. lie had petition recitiug the fact
that Michael Boynton, citizen of the United
States, had been arrested and thrown into
prison by the British government on
vsgu5 charges OF melting crime
and violence. lie had been de-
MED the right OF Il trial before a jury OF his
peers and was calling upon Congress to de-
manl that the United Statas government
should interfere for his protection. The pc
tition WAS signed by members Of certain land
leagues in New Jersey and New York. Did
the Senator still oblcct2
Senator Hoar--The Senate desires to elect
an officer to record all business and as soon as
this is done the petition can be received.
Senator McPhcrsou-I would like to ask
Is there any lack of officers in the Senate?
Senator Uoar--I think that is a thing to be
determined by the Senate The Senator thinks
that thing is to be determined in violation of
the constitution OF the United States by 4 mi
nOrity OF the Senate.
Senator McPherson-I do not believe that it
is done in violation of the constitution. | be
lievc the constitution protects the right of
the minority | believe the rules of the Senate
We're agreed 10 for the purpose Of protecting
legislation. l submit this petition signed by
certain citizens of New York and New Jersey
calling attention TO the fact that citizens Of the
United States are held in prison contrary to
law and Justice The Senator refused to have
the petition considered and referred TO the
committee on foreign relations. The
Senator rises in his place and declares that
even the case of This poor man shall not be
considered until tpleases the majority on that
side to first disorganize the Senate and then
recognize il. This is the strangest proceeding
have seen in this most singular of all pro-
ceedings"
The Vice President ruled that there having
been objection, the petition could not be re-
Geiyed.
Senator Mcpherson gave notice that to-
morrow morning he would call up his petition,
in order that the Senator from Massachusetts
might 5e able TO state TO the people Of the
country the reason that actuated him in pre-.
venting justice being done TO the Irish-Ameri-
can citizen held in durance vile in an English
prison.
The Senator said that the man must remain
in prison until such time as Gorbam and Rid
dleborger were elected. He hoped the Senator
would be prepared tomorrow 70 state Exactly
lis position on that question and Justify it, If
he could. Senator HoAr suggested that the
psttion need not go over even until to-mor-
row, If the Democrats would vote upon the
pending resolution. This pretense that the
delay was attributable to the Republican side
was the merast and sheerest piece of humbug
and demagoguery. Senator Salisbury de-
clared no vote would be taken on the resolu-
lion to-day
Senator Mcpherson retorted npon Senator
Hoar that his claim that the petition couldn't
be received because there was no recording Of
dcer of the Senate, was an absurd proposition.
Senator Hoar stated that the subject matter
Of the petition was already under consideration
by the State department.
Several dllatory motions having been voted
down, Senator Morgan took the floor, and in
concluding his speech he said When the Re
publicms presented resolutions not founded
apparently on bargain, the Democrats would
vote upon II. But when you command rs to
yield TO you when we believe you contract de-
rogatory TO the honor of this body you may
cry and demand and charge treason on us until
doomsday, and still you will find us on the
floor, applause in the gallery.) Several roll
calls were then ordered on various motions, all
Of of whcih were voted down.
Senator Burnside said the precedent had been
made two years ago which must be followed.
he insisted on the right of the majority to
rule. When the committees had been turned
over to tbs Republicans they had been turned
over by the consent of the Democrats, and if
there had been any fraud the Democrats were
parties to it. There was nothing behind
that
senator Hill (Ga. 1.-The Senator will re.
member we submitted 10 the appointment of
committees because they were indispensable to
the transaction OF business But the appoint
ment of officers is not necessary and If we
yield to that We shall become Il party to what
ever bargain exists.
Senator Burnside-i will set here for the ra-
mainder of my term before will consent to
any fraud. will stay here to the end Of my
teIm before | consent that the msioritv shall
be governed by the minority.
Senator Beck called attention TO the tact
that the resolution offered in the Pennsylvania
legislature endorsing the action of the Re.
publicans in this chamber had been laid on the
table.
Senator Cameron Before long it will en-
doTse every action Of the Republicans.
Senator Beck-lt did not do it to-day.
Senator Cameron-lt will in the future.
Senator Beck--After you get there YOU may
make them do it. CLaughter.)
After colloquy between Burnside and Hill,
senator Bayard said he thought it was iE his
power to show to an impartial tribunal that
the Democrats were fortified in every way In
standing where they had stood. He wouldn't
detain the Senate now. When he did speak he
should try to place this case as though he
were standing where the Republicans now
stood. lie would submit nothing but reason.
He wouldn't seek TO raise passion, because this
was public business, and private
I
vantage ought TO fade away before the demands
of the American people, that their representa-
tlyes should deal with public questions IN
spirit worthy ofsuch questions
Senator Sherman said the American people
would look on contest which involved moth
ing but few officers with good deal of in.
difference, but back of this was a principle
which was recognized in every delibratiye body
in the world that was that the majority of
any body must decide every question that came
before the rights of the minority were de-
fined, but prescribed. Here was a majority In
favor of q change of officers, it was so shown
by many votes, and it was more than con-
stitutional majority. 1t was a majority of
Senator's without respect TO the vote of the
Vlce-P President. Did anybody question the
right of the majority to elect the officers.
The minority said No, you shall not do
that. Perhaps the minority was wise and
right nThat was matter of indifference.
The question was, who should determine The
order of business.
He made strong argument il opposition
to the right of the Ininorties to filibuster by
Withholding their votes and criticised the ac.
ton of bis own party associates in having at
various times resorted to that method. He
was glad to cooperate with the Senator from
Virginia. Malone, and he believed the move.
ment originated by that gentleman would be
the dawning of new day for the South. The
solid South would be broken and American
politics would cease to be sectional and be-
come national. He welcomed the Senator as
as the avaunt courier of the men who would
follow and break down sectionallsm and pro-
yrb4 o,d q III.