Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-05

Some of the democratic papers are fighting
one another over question that certainly ought
to be considered dead issue. As it relates to the
non-electiou of president pro te7,,pore by the
Senate at the special session Several southern
Journals charged that Senator Bayard was re-
spOnSibe for the non-election; that he was not
the choice of his party. and he would not per-
init the preferred Senator to be elected. This
was denied by the northern democratic papers
friendly to the Delaware Senator. and in the
course of the controversy it has been charged
that Senator Brown. of Georgia. inspired the
attack upon Bayard. The question is very
simple one. too simple to cause split i'm the
democratic party. The truth s-and every paper
ought to have known it-that the Vice President
dig not vacate the chair at the special session,
and hence there was no occasion to elect pres
ident pro tenpOre. The presumption is. that af-
ter the resignation of the New York Senators
Mr. Arthur did not propose to give the demo-
Gratis chance to elect officer who would be
in the direct line OF succession to the Presidency
At any rate he did not. and while he occupied
the chair it could not be Tiled by the election of
another.
The Virginia democrats have taken a manly
straightforward postiOnupon the debt question
They pledge their party to secure settlement
OF the public debt, with the consent of the
states creditors, which is consistent with the
honor of the state. and dictated by justice and
sound public policy Theimportant TRUTHS that
the maintenance OF the public credit of Virginia
Is an essential means to the promotion of her
prosperity. OF course, any settlement of the
debt that is acceptable the creditors will be fair
aud legitimate; but neither principal or interest
can be cut down one cent without the full and
Tree assent OF the creditors. except by repudi-
alton. Any plan or scheme which contemplates
reduction of the debt. regardless of the cred
horS, is reputation, and it is this very position
that condemns the readjusters. Their mode of
settling the debt is To arbitrarily reduce the
amount TO such figures they conclude the
state can pay, and then, by an act OF the legsla-
ture. hx the debt at that sum. This plan of pay
ing debts will not do in this country. The
democrats occupy high ground on the debt
question and they enter the canvass with that
great point in their favor
Bradlaugh is undoubtedly something of a
nuisance: but the British House of Commons is
not pursuing the proper policy if it desires to
suppress him. NotOriety is the breath of life to
such characters as Bradlaugh Ignore him. let
him alone, and he sinks out of sight Had
Bradlaugh been peaceably admitted to his seat,
anu the oath administered to him without any
fuss, he would probably have become an I'M
Known factor in British politics ere now. But
aside from the character principles or preten-
sions OF the man. Parliament cannot afford to
deny to a constituency its proper representation
upon mere bubble of conscience The first
refusal to admit Bradlaugh to his seat gave him
prestige that readily secured his reelection
Now he has been forcibly elected from the House
Of Commons, and he tells the people that he is
prosecuted because he represents them in oppo-
sition to aristocracy. He poses as martyr-the
very thing he desires-and he will, no doubt, be
returned to Parliament again and again.
The President is improving slowly but surely.
day by day. and the feeling everywhere now is
that the danger is past Doctor Hamilton. who
b very careful in the expression of opinions
told STAR reporter yesterday 0he interview
has been made to do service since as
original matter in a number of papers)
ne was most certainly of the opinion
that the President will recover" The other
surgeons appear to feel equally as confident of
happy outcome. and the President himselfis
beginning to look forward to the day when he
can try his legs again." Of course those who
expect him to get well in thirty minutes will
be disappointed, as his full recovery must be
the slow work of weeks