Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1884-04-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent
APRIL 10, 1884.

From our regular correspondent
APRIL 10, 1884.
The educational bill has given
rise to really great debate, from
which citations will be made here
after on occasions when the limita-
ton of the federal government is =
theme of discussion. 1t has proved
an ordeal in compelling many Sena-
tors to take ground against their
strongest sympathies, for all Demo-
cratic Senators would like to aid the
South in educating the mass of igno-
rance that has been armed with the
ballot. Some say they would have
to resist the appeal because they can
not find in the law any warrant for
the action, while others encounter
40 such difficulties. Several South
ern Democratic Senators were on op-
posite sides of the measure. Among
the most recent foroible contribu-
tions to the discussion we're the ar
guments Of Senators Pendleton, Bay
ard, Morgan and Gibson. Each pre-
sented with statesmanlike ability
Democratic objections to the idea of
National interference in local mat
tiers except the Senator from Louis
lana, wio strongly favored the meas
ure. Senator Pendleton began by
saying the lenth and scope of the
debate made it difficult for any one
to say anything new in itself or in
its gulse. There had been several
definitions of the bill. Its sponsor,
Senator Blair, had said it was a bill
to fit voters to exercise intelligently
the franchise. The Arkansas Sena-
tor, Mr.. Garland, who advocated it,
defined it as bill to extirpate illit-
sracy. Others spoke of it as a bill
to relieve the States, to perpetuate
the Union, to strengthen the govern
ment, to perfect the scheme of eman-
cipation, or compensate some of the
consequences that follow from it.
He called it simply bill to appro-
pirate $1O5, 600, 900 to education in
the States. The Ohio Senator allud-
ed with Chesterfieldian adroitness to
the able efforts made by certain
Senators who had preceded him.
Senator Sayard said he had intended
to cast silent vote on this bill, but
the debate had more and more shown
the Importance of it, and he felt con-
strained 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
government had robbed of every ves-
tige 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
embarrassed his conduct, for he was
aversed to standing on punctilies,
but they should only make him more
cautious i'm action, not less resolute.
While his motives might be misun-
derstood, his votes 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 disenfranchised
hlm, and at the same time disfran-
chised such men as George Bancroft
and W. w. Corcoran.
The House of Representative have
done a creditable weeks work. IT
discussed and passed the trade dol
lar bill, the Indian and agricultural
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 suf-
frage will not become laws by legis-
latlon Of the present Congress. The
Senate committees have favored both
measures, but the House committees
arc prepared to report adversely On
both, which, of course, will silence
questions.
The testimony just given in the
DanviIIe investigation, by General
Wickham, 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 intimidation at the
polls, land the news of the riot had
! no effect in driving the colored votes