San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-04-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnISaros, April. 8, 1884.
,fro@ Our Regular cSus'psad'a''

is 10 fail or, 10 pass, II has given
riso TO q really great debate, from
which citations will bomado hereafter
on occasions when tho limitation Of
tho Federal authority is a theme Of
discussion. II has proved an ordeal
in compelling many Senators TO take
ground against their strongest
sympathios, for all Democratic Senat
ors would like 10 aid the South in
educating tho mass Of ignorance that
has been armed with tho ballot
Some say that will have to resist the
appeal because they cannot find in
the law any warrant>for tho action,
whilo others encounter no such diff
ticulties. Several Southern Demo
cratic Senators are on opposite sides
of the measure. Among the most
recent forcible contributions to the
discussion arc the arguments OF
Senators Pondloton, Bayard, Morgan,
and Gibson. Each presented with
statesman like ability. Democratic
objections to the side OF National in
reference in local matters except tho
Senator from Louisiana who strongly
favored tho measure. Senator
Pendleton began by saying the length
and scope of tho debate made it diff
ffcult for any one to say anything
now in itself or in its guise. There
had been several definitions of the
bill. Its sponsor, Senator Blair, had
said it was bill to fit voters to
exercise intelligently the franchise.
The Arkansas Senator, Mr. Garland,
who advocated it, defined it as bill
to oxtirpate illiteracy. Others spoke
OF it as bill to relieve the States,
to perpetuate the Union, to streng-
then the Government, to perfect the
scheme of emancipation, or compen-
sato some of the consequences that
followed from it. He called it simply
bill to appropriate $105,OOO, 1000, to
education in the States. Tho Ohio
Senator alluded with Chestorfoldian
adroitness to the able efforts made
by certain Senators who had preceded
him. Senator Bayard said he had
intended to cast q silent vote on this
bill but tho debate had more and
more shown the importance of it,
and no felt constrained to explain his
action in the matter. He spoke OF
the conflict between his conscience
and his duty, and dwelt upon the
condition of the South which the
policy adopted by the party in con-
troll of the general government had
robbed of overy vestige of solfgovern-
mont The fluent Alabama orator
Mr.. Morgan spoke forcibly, and long
as he usually does when ho gets the
floor. He said he did not reject this
overture made to the people of the
South through any alleged feeling of
pride, resentment or lingering hate.
Those reflections embarrassed his
conduct for he was averse to standing
on punctiliss, but they should only
make him more cautious in action,
not less resolute. While his motives
might be mis- understood his votes
here should have the appreciation of
his own conscience. He arraigned
Congress for its course toward the
negro in the District of Columbia.
1t first enfranchised him, then dis
enfranchisod, and at the same time
DISTINGUISHED such men Us Geo. Ban
croft, and w. w. Corcoran.
The House of representatives has
done n creditable weeks work. 1t
discussed and passed the trade dol
lar bill, tho Indian and Agricul-
tural appropriations, considered sew
eral minor matters, disposed of pen
sion bills and some private measures
and began the debate on the forfeit
ure of Oregon land grants.
Postal Telegvaphy and Woman
Suffrage will not become laws by leg
islation of the present Congress.
Senate committees have favored both
measures, but House committees are
prepared to report adversely on both,
which Of course will silence both
questions.
Testimony just given in the Dan
vile investigation by Gen. Wickham,
n republican Member of the Virginia
Senate, renders the whole inquiry
absurd He said the last election
was the flares: ever held in the State
There was no intimidation at the
polls and the news Of the riot had no
effect in driving the colored vote
from him. Mr.. Sherman asked him
il be was republican up to the last