The Portland daily press., 1884-01-30
FoRTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.


Mr.. Platt offered resolution for which ne
asked immediate consideration directing the
committee on post offices and post roads to in
quire whether telegraphic changes have been
lnluriously affected by the large stock dlvl-
dends of the Western Union Com pany or con-
soldation or contracts with competing or any
other companies, and whether through the
gold and stock telegraph company or other
wise the Western Union Company has pre-
scribed rules or regulations for the transmits
sion OF press news. The resolution authorizes
the committee to send for persons and persons:
Objection was made Dy Mr. Sherman and
the resolutions on the Virginia election were
then taken up. MIR. Sherman spoke brifiy in
support of his resolution, saying that so far as
can be judged from the statements contained
IN af1idayits and newspaper statements bear
ing on the question under consideration, the
murderers in Virginia and Mississippi were
the consequence of determination on the part
of the Democratic party to defy the laws and
trample on the rights of all opponents.
MIR. Malone then addressed the Senate in
favor of the resolutions. 1t behooyed him,
he said, in the name of Virginia, to express
regret that there should be found in the con-
duct of any portion of her constituency occa-
sion for such inquiry as that on which the re-
solution before the Senate was in part pre-
dicated. But he protested that for the violent
overthrow of law and the unprovoked murder
of uparmed citizens of Danville on the occa-
sion referred to, the real majority of the people
OF Virginia were in no way respons ble. 1t
was due to the fair name of that State aHd 10
the love of its people for liberty ana their
respect fer law that both the actors and con-
spirators in these foul deeds done within her
borders in contempt of the civilization OF the
age and the constitution and laws of both the
State and National governments should be
brought to the bar of public opinion. At no
time in the glorious history of Virginia until
the late canvass and election for the legsla-
ture had the sentiment found root with any
party that political ends may be achieved by
such fostering methods as gave rise to the
Danyille massacre. The leaders of political
faction, ambitious for places and desiring to
dominate over people who had repeatedly
repudiated them and their shifting principles,
openly advised any resort which might give
them power. That reign OF terror and law
iessness suppressed and superseded the func-
tlons OF the civil law, the chief magistrate of
the Commonwealth in his general message to
the Legislature had sufficiently borne witness.
Mr.. Malone then quoted from the message of
the Governor of Virginia to show that while
admitting the killing of citizens cf the Sta to
on the occasion referred to, yet on the theory
that his own duties were merely executive he
disclalmed any purpose of recommending a
legislative investigation and left the matter
entirely to the scrutiny of the courts. The &C.
tion OF the Danville grand jury, said Mr..
Mshone, oRly completed the picture OF the
helplessness of the law and the hopelessness of
justice from that source. The time had come
when, from failure of the local authorities, the
National government should intervene for the
protection and vindication of the rights Of its
citizens. He hoped the investigation would be
called for and the matter sifted to the bottom.
Virginia had faithfully endeavored to observe
ner falth to the nation, and the violence dis
played at Danville was at variance with the
sentiments of her people and should not be
ascribed to them as a whole. 1t was in conflict
with their temper, habits, traditions and con-
La he
fastened upon those to whom it rightfully be-
longed, the faction leaders, who are endeavor-
ing to screen the foul deeds from exposure and
their perpetrators from punishment. Mr..
Malone then briefly reviewed the history of
Virginia since the war, showing the rapid
strides made by the State toward q condition
of high prosperity. This progress had con-
tinued, he said, till the credit of the State had
been restored to its old integrity, the expenses
of government reduced 25 per cent. and the
rate OF taxation 20 per cent. Sectional asper-
tiles had passed away, and cordial relations
had been established with other portions OF
the alton. But faction leaders, for their own
purposes, had set on foot a shot gun scheme to
compel irresolute and timid voters to indorse
at the polls principles which had already been
repudiated. But Mr.. Malone would forbear
further Characterization of the methods en-
ployed. This investigation, if ordered, would
expose those methods. Where should the in
quiry be instituted if not here? If State en-
joyed representation in Congress on the faith
that suffrage was free, it was breach of faith
with other States in the Union to deprive any
class or any part of any class of the right to ex-
ercise the suffrage freely. 1t was wrong to
those other States and an assault upon the
spirit of the Constitution-an assault which
Congress should not only investigate but re-
buke. The expression of the unhindered will
OF majority was indispensable to Republi-
can form of government. The Union has
been formed upon the mutual pledge of the
States that it was to be union of republics.
When that pledge was not kept it was the
solemn duty of Congress to enforce it. "Vi-
ginia," said Mr.. Malone, "has no cause Of
hostility against the colored people who in
large part compose her population. They are
no more responsible for their freedom than for
their presence there. They were invested with
the right of citizenship by the grace of the
nation and have worn the immunities with re-
markable propriety of conduct They are as
essential to her fields of industry as the
machinery OF New England is to her manufac-
tureTs. They are factor in her life for which
no other can be substituted and between the
races as being classes there is community OF
interests on which is dependent the happiness
and welfare of all. Bondage, personal or poli-
tical is a fearful evil in free community,
Nothing more degrades the man than living
among freemen, himself a slave. Even the
very earth which teens with profusion under
the cultvating hand of free labor. shrinks
of the slave; and who is it that is not slave
whose liberty is restrained in contrsvention
OF the rights guaranteed to al?" 1
rejoice, said Mr.. Malone in conclusion,
"that personal slavery is no longer legalized
in her own fair Eden of liberty. and
that all men are liberated to aB even chance in
the race of life which God and nature have
given them the title. In Virginia the colored
people ask no more, and the white man there,
who envies him this privilege and apprehends
his supremacy, reproaches the intelligence
and manhood OF his own race To discover
the gross violations sof human rights which
have been committed in Virginia during the
late political campaign and to find and apply
the remedy, take it, the object of the pro-
posed investigation. have no fear that the
State will suffer by the inquiry. On the
contrary, I an, am confident she will emerge
the reputation of the majority of her
people, while on a violent faction will be
found the responsibility and the blood of her
murdered citizens. Here, VIII ere the breath of
freedom has ever inspired devotion to the God
given rights of Men; here, in government
which is founded on the everything basis of
equal rights, is the place to set on foot invest-
CATION of such flagrant acts of moral turpitude
and OF crime in contravention of the Constitu-
tion and laws of the Union, and to reach out
for the remedy.
On the conclusion of Mr. Mahone's remarks
nouncing the question to be ON agreeing to the
resolution demand for the yeas and nays was
made, and without further remark from any
Democratic Senator the matter was brought
TO vote, and the resolution was passed by SO
yeas TO 20 nays.
The Senate then took up the House Joint
resolution appropriating $4,000 for the main
tenance of destitute Indians at Crow Agency
and elsewhere. An amendment increasing
the amount to 100000 was agreed to and the
resolution passed.
The Senate also passed the House bill MAX
ing an appropriation of $3,750,000 TO supply
deficiencies on account of appropriations for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1884, in regard
to the rebate of the tax on tobacco and to
provide for the meeting of the legislature OF
New Mexico.
Mr.. Bayard then called up the bill providing
method of settling incomplete titles to
Mexican land grants.
After debate the bill went over without &C.
tion.
A message was received from the President
recommending an immediate appropriation OF
S240,000 for continuance of the improvements
at He'll Gate in the East river, New York
The Seuate then went into executive session
and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Pettibone of Tennessee, offered a reso-
luton, which was adopted unanimously, pro
viding that the funeral ceremonies of the late
E. W. Mackey of South Carolina, shall be held
in the Hall tomorrow at D. m.
Bills introduced
By Mr.. Wood of Indiana, to reduce the tar.