St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
April 8tll, 1884.

pass, 1t has given rise to really grea
debate, from which citations will b
anade hereafter on occasions when Til
Limitation OF the federal authority is
theme Of discussion. It has proved al
ordeal in compelling many senators t,
take ground against their stronges
! sympathies, for all Democratic senators
would like to aid the South in educat
2ng the mass of ignorance that has beer
armed with the ballot. Some say tllat
they will have to resist the appeal be.
cause they cannot find in the law any
warrant for the action, while others en-
counter no such difficulties. Several
Southern Democratic Senators are On
opposite sides OF the measure. Among
the most recent forcible dtributions
TO the discussion are the saguments Of
Senators Pendleton, Bay d, Morgan
and Gibson. Each presented with
statesmanlike ability Democratic OBJ
iections to the idea of National interfe-
renee III local matters except the Sena-
TOR from Louisiana who strongly fa-
vored the measure. Senator Pendleton
began by saying the length and scope of
the debate made it difficult for any one
50 say anything new in itself or in it's
guise. There had been several defni-
GiOns of the bill Its sponsor, Senator
Blair, had said it was a bill to fit voters
TO exercise intelligently the franchise.
The Arkansas Senator, Mr.. Garland,
who advocated it, defined it as a bill to
ssxtirpate illiteracy. Others spoke of it
as bill to relieve the States, to perpet-
Iate the Union, to strengthen the Gov
eminent, to perfect the scheme of eman-
aslpatlon, or compensate some of the
consequences that followed from it. He
called it simply bill to appropriate
S105,OOO, 900 to education in the States.
The Ohio Senator alluded with Chester
Eieldian adrOitness to the able efforts
made by certain Senators who had pre-
eeded him. Senator Bayard said he
mad intended to cast silent vote on
s5his 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 conflict
between his conscience and his duty |
and dwelt upon the condition Of the
South which the policy adopted by the
party in control of the general govern
nent had robbed of every vestige of
self government. The fluent Alabama
orator Mr.. Morgan spoke forcibly, and
long as he usually does when he 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.
These reflections em barrassed his con
duct for he was averse to standing on
but they should only make
him more cautious in action, not less
While his motives might be
his votes here should II
have the appreciation of his own con-
science. He arraigned Congress for its
course toward the negro in the District
II Columbia. 1t first enfranchished him
hen disenfranchised, and at the same
ltle disfranchised such men as Geo. +,
Bancroft and w. w. Corcoran.
The House of Representatives has t
lone creditable weeks work. It dis {
used and passed the Trade Dollar bill : :
he Indian and Agricultural appropria- h
ions, considered several minor matters, S
isposed of pension bills and some prl-
ate measures and began debate on tie !
of Oregon land grants. t,
Postal Telegraphy and Woman Suf- n
age will not become laws by legisla- !
on OF the preent Congress. Senate {,
have favored both measures a
ut House Committees are prepared to {. :.
port adversely on both, which of y
'urse will silence both questions. et
Testimony just given in the Danville y
vestigation by Gen. Wickham, a re- u
iblican Member of the Virginia Senate ii
nders the whole inquiry absurd. He N
I'd the last election was the fairest
'er held in the State. There was no
tanaidation at the polls, and the news 10
che riot had no effect in driving the OF
sored votes from him. Mr.. Sherman is
ked asked him if he was Republican q q
TO the last canvass. He replied, IL IL
jatil yet am now Republican, be
use has at last been found for the &C
ashlngton Monument. 1t affords the wi
ssC convenient point Imaginable for ar
sesng the lamps of the Brush Electric is
ght Co. Nightly now, from it's sum- DC
q these bright lights may be seen. ea