The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-04-12

sion. II has proved an ordeal in compel
ling many Senators to take ground against
their strongest sympathies, for all Demo
cratic Senators would like 10 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
action, while others encounter no such diff
ticultes Several Southern Democratic
Senators are on opposite sides of the meas
ure. Among the most recent forcible con
trlbutions to the discussion are the argu-
ments of Senators Pendleton, Bayard, Nor
gan and Gibson. Each presented with
statesmanlke ability Democratic objec.
tions TO the idea of National interference
in local matters, except the Senator from
Louisiana, who strongly favored the meas
uru. 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 guiee, There had been
several definitions of the bill. Its sponsor
Senator Blair, had said il was bill 10 fit
voters to exercise intelligently the fran
chise. The Arkansas Senator, Mr., Gar
land, who advocated it, defined it as "A bill
To relieve the States, TO perpetuate the II.
ion, TO strengthen the Government, TO per.
feet the scheme of emancipation, or com.
pensate some of the consequences that fol.
lowed from it. He called it simply bill
to appropriate S10j, 900, 10000 to education
in the states. The Ohio Senator alluded
with Chesterfeldian a,lroitness to the able
efforts made by certain Senators who had
preceded him. Senator Bayard 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
constrained TO explain his action in the
matter He spoke of the conflict between
his conscience and his duty, and dwelt up
on the condition of the South, which the
policy adopted by the party in control OF
the general government had robbed of ev.
cry vestige of self government. The fluent
Alabama orator, Mr.. Morgan, spoke forci
bly, 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 re-
Elections embarrassed his conduct for he
was averse to standing on punctilios, bu,
they should only make him more cautious
in action, not less resolute. While his mo-
tives might be misunderstood, his votes
here should have the appreciation of his
own conscience. He arraigned Congress
for its course toward the negro in the Dis
trict of Columbia. 1t first enfranchsed
him, then disfranchised him, and at the
same time DISTINGUISHED such men as
Geo. Bancroft and w. W. Corcoran.
The House of Representatives has done
creditable weeks work 1t discussed
and passed the trade dollar bill, the Indian
and Agricultural appropriations, consider
ed several minor matters, disposed of pen
sion 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 com
mittees are prepared to report adversely
on both, which of course will silence both
questions.
Testimony just given in the Danville in
vesti cation by Gen. Wickham Republi
can member of the Virginia Senate, rem
ders the whole inquiry absurd. He sa d
the last election was the fairest ever held
in the state There was no intimidation
at the polls, and the news OF the riot had
no effect in driving the col0red votes from
him. Mr. Sherman asked him if he was 8
Republican up to the last canvass. He re-
piled, Until then; | am now Republi
can"
A use has at last been found for the
Washington Monument. 1t affords the
most convenient point imaginable for test
ing the lamps of the Brush Electric Ligh'
Co. Nightly now, from its summit, these
lights may be seen, looking like "A new
and unusually bright constellation.