New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-19
A sTRIKlNG CONTRAST.

fnr ORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE YESTERDAY
80 .Sp TWO YEARS AGo-RRTIREMaNT OF THE
DEMOCRATS FROM POWER.
,pY rEIEGRAPH 10 TIE TRrBuNE.i
WASHINGTON. March 18.-Two years ago to-day
fhe Senate met in compliance with the proclamation
Of President Hayes, conyeniug the ALVitn Congress
sessions and the Democratic party, for the first
timein eighteen years, by its newly elected
n the body, took formal charge Of affairs. Today
witnessed the last act in the peaceful counterrevo-
luton by which the Democratic party lost its hold
ana. with hardly q gasp. unwilliDgly turned over
the control to the Republicans again. The contrast
prssented to the minds of those who were SO iortu
nate rs to witness both events was striking ana sug
gestiye. 4 -,
The iaunty. cou6dent air worn by Democratic
senators ON the former occasion was recalled. A
new lease Of political life had been taken and the
world booked bright indeed. Great opportunities
were opening up. in which even the least nnuential
men Of the party might earn coveted distinction'
They would show the country and the world now
much better they eould govern than those who had
50 long welded power. They wocd do nothing which
their opponents had approved. New methods and
new men should henceforth find prominence in pub
lie affairs. They wanted no advice and would sub
nit 80 no interference. Sef-snhiGiency relGned In
the caucus councils of the party as in the breasts OF
ifs individual members. To-day. with q show OF
meek protest but without discussion without even
a parliamentary struggle they surrendered and went
to the rear confessing by their demeanor as preV-
ousy by the mouths of Eaton aud Others, that they
were Incompetent to govern even themselves, much
less the country.
Ii was from the lips of Mr.. Salisbury that the Re-
pablicans and the country were first informed that
the Democrats upon their accession to power two
wears ago. intended to carry matters with high
hand. The following extract from his speech on
that occasion, delivered with rollicking air. his
tall lank form stopping forward and his little head
bobbing to and fro reads pleasantly in the hight OF
current proceedings:
Iboud be very CHAD our brethren on the other
side take their present situation % a., S mcTs S NUM-
Der OF years the minority on the Tact that ~ s much
sr of the msiority They can aid giving proper IN.
formation at the proper time and 10 tue proper way; put
osn aeon II Is duty to ourselves not to permit the
other side Of House 70 shape our course OF pocy IN
az once that the party
have responsibilities now upon teem Snd @ sen1 & 70
kaenced Sy whas may the wishes Of the other side In
eerenes e on ,ss sSe M reconcile them
selves 70 their Pps.iSn ana Ae
Nobody lanehed to-day. when the same Senator.
after the Democratic Committee list had been laid
upon the table and the Republican list had been
tus
the senate and the country to the fact that the
Democrats had not flibustered, but had submitted
witt, aecorum to the inevitable.
The DAYS session. aside from the fact that the Or
papization was consummated, devoid of interest
Mr.. Frye's credentials were read and he was sworn
in. When the unfinished business-belng Mr..
Pendleton's resolution, embodyng the Democratic
listwas reached. Mr.. Anthony moved TO lay it upon
the table. The yeas and nays were called, and to
the surprise of the Republicans Malone voted no.
This was so evidently mistake that it created no
particular sensation. personal friend Of che Vir
pnian called his attention to the error aud ne i'm
mediatey arose and upon the conclusion OF the roll
call. said he had voted under Misrepresentation.
Senator Edmunds was absent. he having gone
south in i'll health. and Senator Camden, who
was paired with him, did not vote The vote as an
nounced stood 81 to 81. and Vice-PreSident Arthur
cast his vote in the affirmative declaring that the
motion was carried. The resolution offered by Sena-
Tor Anthony embodying the committee list arranged
by the Republicans, was adopted by the same vote;
that naming the Special Committee was carried by
= vote of 81 to 35, Messrs. Jonas and Garland de-
cling TO vote and the Senate, at half-past O'clock
went into executive session.