Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From Our Regular Correspondent.l
This is the day on which the Ed
ucationaI bill, that has SO long |
claimed the attention of the Senate,
is to fail, or, to pass. 1t has given
rise to a really great debate. from
which citations will be made here
after on occasions when the limi- |
tation of the Federal authority is a |
theme of discussion. 1t has proved |
an ordeal in compelling many Sen
ators to take ground against their
strongest sympathies, for ali Demo-
cratic Senators would like to aid
the South in educating the mass of
ignorance that has been armed with
the ballot. Some say they will
have to resist the appeal because
they cannot find in the law any
warrant for the action, while others
encounter no such difficulties. Sew
eraI Southern Democratic Senators
are on opposite sides of the meas
ure. Among the most recent forci-
BILE contributions to the discussion
are the arguments of Senators Pend
Teton, Bayard, Morgan, and Gibson,
each presented with statesmanlIke
ability Democratic objections to the
idea of National interference in To-
cal matters except the Senator from
Louisiana who strongly favored the
measure. Senator Pendleton began
by saying the length and scope of
the debate made it difficult for any
one to say anything new in itself or
in its guise. There had been several
definitions of the bill. Its sponsor,
Senator Blair, had said it was a bill
to fit voters to exercise intelligent
ly the franchise. The Arkansas
Senator, Mr.. Garland, who advoca-
ted it, defined it as bill to extir-
pate illiteracy. Others spoke of it
as a bill to relieve the States, to per
petuate the Union, to strengthen
the Government, to perfect the
scheme of emancipation, or COM
pensate some of the consequences
that followed from it. He called it
simply bill to appropriate $685.
600, 600, to education in the States.
The Ohio Senator alluded with
Chesterieldian adroitness to the
able efforts made by certain Sena-
tors who had proceeded him. Sena-
tor Bayard said he had intended to
cast a silent vote on this bill but the
debate had more and more shown
the importance of it, and he felt
constrained to explain his action in
the matter. He spoke of the con-
fict between his conscience and his
duty and dwelt upon the condition
of the South which the policy adopt
ed by the party in control of the
general government had robbed of
every vistage of self government.
The fluent Alabama orator, Mr.. Nor
gan, spoke forcibly, and long as he
usually does when he gets on 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. These reflections embarrass-
ed his conduct for he was averse to
standing on punctilics, but they
should only make him more eau
tious in action, not less resolute.
While his motives might be mis-un
derstood his vote here should have
the appreciation of his own con-
science. He arraigned Congress for
its course toward the negro in the
District of Columbia. 1t first en-
franchised him, then dis-enfranchis-
ed, and at the same time dis-enfran-
| chised such men as Geo Bancroft,
and w. w. Corcoran.
The House of Representatives has
done creditable weeks work. 1t
discussed and passed the Trade dol
lar bill, the Indian and Agricultur-
al appropriations, considered several
minor matters, disposed of pension
bills and some private measures and
began debate on the forfeiture of
Oregon land grants.
Postal Telegraphy and Woman
Suffrage will not become laws by
legislation of the present Congress.
Senate committees have favored
both measures, but House commit
tees are prepared to report adversely
on both, which of course will silence
both questions.
Testimony just given in the Dan
Vile investigation by Gen. Wick
ham, a republican member of the
Virginia Senate, renders the whole
inquiry absurd. He said the last
election was the fairest ever held in
the State. There was no intimida-
ton at the polls, and the news of the
riot had no effect in driving the col
ored votes from him. Mr.. Sherman
asked him if he was Republican
up to the last canvass. He replied,
"Until yet; am now a Republi-
can"
A use has at last been found for
the Washington Monument. 1t
affords the most convenient point |
imaginable for testing the lamps of |
the Brush Electric Light Co. Night
ly now, from itssummit, these brigt |
lights may be seen, looking like a
new aud unusually bright constel-
lation.
Washington, April, s, '84.