The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-12-03


assassination of the President suspended
further action in that direction.
The Deal In the Senate.
Considering the proceedings OF the
Senate, it is amusing to reflect that
Senator Edmunds, OF Vermont, was
talked about last year by few trustful
of q reformatory turn OF
mind. and that the same Senator
Edmunds has been the chief engineer
of the machine of which Dawes and
Logan are the stokers. The machine"
in this case was the caucus, and II the
machine in politics be continuance
for extinguishing individual independ-
ence thcre never was q better illussra-
ton of it than that offered by the Re-
publican Senators, led by Mr.. Edmunds
and leading Mr.. David Davis. The
choice OF MI. Bayard had been received
not merely with acquiescence but with
positive satisfaction by those Re-
publican newspapers which speak for
rational and patriotic Republicans
When even SO bigoted partisan as
Senator Frye declares before the
caucus of his party that it is better for
the Republicans to have a man like
Senator Bayard than a man like Senator
Davis for President of the Senate, since
verybody knew where Senator Bayard
stood and nobody knew where Senator
Davis sat, it is evident that the party
whip must have been freely and sharp
ly welded to bring about the ex-
traordinary proceedings in the Senate.
The country now knows where Sena-
tor Davis is. He has taken his place
with Malone, as man who. chosen to
the Senate by Democratic votes. has be-
come an open trader upon the capital OF
the position thus acquired. One dealer
of this kind upon the floor and another
in the chair are now permitted to de-
termine the policy and decide the des-
tiny of the Republican party in the
highest legislative body in the land.
The Democrats found vacancy in the
Presidential succession, occasioned BY
no act or omission of theirs, but caused
by the bullet of q stalwart assassin and
the personal politics of stalwart Sena-
tor. This vacancy they filed, in obedi-
ence to the law, with Senator who
commands the sympathies OF one great
party, the respect of the other. and the
confidence of all honest men. The Re-
publicans, on the other hand. found the
Senate organized and the succession to
the Presidency provided. If they had
had the strength to choose one OF their
own number to preside over the Senate,
and had chosen that member who comes
nearest to Senator Bayard in the con-
fidence of the country-for it is simply
not true that any Republican Senator
commands the confidence OF the coun-
try so completely as does Senator Bay
ard-no fault could fairly have been
found with the advantage they thus
took of their reinforcements. But in
fact they had not this strength. They
could not have elected Republican.
They could not rely even upon the neu-
trality of David Davis except friendly
neutrality in his own behalf. And so
they made their bargain and put ont Of
the Presidency of the Senate Demo-
cratic Senator who thus commanded
the sympathies of one party. the re-
spect of the other and the confidence oil
! the whole country, in order to ill his
place with Senator who is not Re-
publican, and who does not command
the sympathy, the respect or the conf
dence of anybody.
The Republican Senators have thus
repeated at this special session the
crime and blunder which they COM
mitted at the last special session. Hav-
ing in neither body q majority, they
have in each bought member from
the other side. They bought Malone
for nothing. although they doubtless
endeavored to deliver to him the price
they agreed to pay of an Office in the
Senate and of all the help they could
bring to the cause of Reputation In
Virginia. The more astute ReadjusteI
from Illinois has secured his pay in ad'
vance. The only question is whether
he will deliver the expressed or implied
consideration to the bargain on his side.
Upon this point it will be seen some 81
the Republican Senators who voted fol
him are nevertheless q prey TO the mos
natural but also the most agonizing up
prehensious As they cannot possibly
turn him out on their own strength
Mr.. Davis is now entirely at liberty t.
run the Senate and appoint its commit
tees in the interest of the aspirations Il
the permanent Presidency which hav,
always been believed to have swolleI
his bosom. There is nothing in hi
own career or in the circumstance
under which he comes to the Presidenc.
of the Senate to forbid the thought tina
he will use his entirely irresponsible
powers with strict and inscription
regard to his own political interests
The Republican Senators who votes
under compulsion to pay hin
in advance for the goods the,
fondly expect him to deliver ma
find out that in attempting to choos
King Log thoy have in fact chosel
King Stork, who has developed stal
wart and Saturnian appetite for hi
political brood. It would not be At 81
surprising II within the next six month
the Tribune should be set to howlinI
again and to berating the wicked Dem
} | ocrats for their lack Of pntriOtism Il