New-York tribune., 1886-03-10
THE PRESIDENT ANSWERED.
SENATOR EDMUNDS'S ARGUMENT ON THE
SUPPRESSED PAPERS.
SUCH DOCUMENTS NEYhR REFUSED BEFoRE-AN
INNOVATION IN AN AGE OF REFORM
WHAT DEMOCRATS DEMANDED
OF REPUBLICAN
PRESIDENT.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. I

PRESIDENT.
rBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE
WAsHTNGroN, March 9.-There is only one wcrl
Wmch can convey any idea of the impress IN viii ,h
Senator Edmundss argument to- lay left upon the
minds OF those who were fortunate enough to be
present when he delivered his speech on the right
ol the senate to examine all official papers on file in
the Departments. 1t is the word sunans swerabler
NO better proof of this needed than tho fact that
when Mr. Edmunds sat down Senator Harris moved
to adjourn "on account of the ateness of the hourD
although it was then only a few minutes after
o'clock. MrPugh, who is the senior member of the
minority Of the Judiciary Committee prof IS ID his
Willingness to 20 on. am ready to proceed nOwo
he exclaimed with much bluster, but" added he
remarking the serions cOuntenances of his col
leagues around him, " if Senators wish to 90 ONE
shall raise no objections" Everybody. of course.
knew what was passing in Mr. Pugh's mind and
everybody laughed. His air of bravado .ceived
one.
The announcement that Mr.. Edmunds had r5cov-
cred from his cold, and WAS t. address the Senate
drew Thousands to the Capitol who were unable to
secure admitiance TO the gallery. Every seat was
occupied with the exception of the row reserved
for the of the President. Below, in rear of the
seats of Senators, Representatives and othels hav-
ing The privilege of the floor had gathered in large
numbers. When, at o'clock, Senator Edmunis
rose IN his seat perfect quiet prevailed. Every eye
was turned upon him. He seemed in excellent
condition. His dignifed bearing, careful delivery
and the absence of every attempt at what might be
called oratory, added to the strength and cogency
Of his arguments. He began in a low voice. and,
apparently spoke with some difficulty which
might have led those who never heard him speak
before to believe that he was difident, was not
master of his subject; but if there were any who
anta fai an ado tIa, ,,;oI,f,,
deceived. He had not spoken five minutes when bis
voice began to grow in volume and gain in distinct
ness. Yet he scarcely raised it above the
ordinary pitch of Senatorial debate. 1t was not
necessary that he should do so. His argument was
SO clear his Ian guage so simple, the manner in
which he arrayed his facts 50 judicious his dedc-
tOns so lucid that 1t needed effort of the voice
to strengthen his case The grim humor with
which he alluded to the doings of the AdmnIstrl-
tOn "In these days OF reform the frequent eDj "
ment he seemed to derive flOm quoting the famous
phrase innocuous desuetude,' the sarcastic
manner in which he referred to Mr. Bayard drafting
while in the Senate the worry resolutions
which he now vises the President not to answer,
drew many smiles from Republicans as we'll as
Democrats 1t noticeable too, that he scarcely
degned TO refer to the Presidents message. He
once referred TO it cOutemptuOusly the supple
mentary report TO the minority report of the
Judic, Committee" which caused litter 10
through the galleries. Otherwise he seer ed 10
think it scarcely worth while to consider tue Pres
deuts argument as in any way worthy of reply.
Indeed. if it his object to put the President,
owing to ignorance and lneXperence. IN the position
of having committed the ridiculous bunder of
addressing the Senate on subject purely belonging
to its own province, he succeeded
Only once did the galleries threaten to become
1pmon Str " nds rafa
to his Old and lifelong friend Judge Thurman as
the noblest, the best, the purest OF men, Then
there stamping Of feet, clappug OF hands and
other demonstrations Of approval. Senator Sher-
man, however, instantly checked them. ATaigning
the Administration Tor Its sham professions of re-
form Mr. Edmunds exclaimed he advanced
toward the presiding officer: If | were rhetorical
would say: shame where is thy blush ~ It
was the only attempt at anything like dramatic
effect which Mr. Edmunds made in the course of
his speech The words were uttered in tones of un-
mstakable earnestness aud indignant protestatIon.
An approving murmur arose from the audience but
in moment aftcrwarl Mr. Edmuuds had resumed
his cold and impassive manner
In substance Mr. Edmunds spoke as follows:
NO SIMILAR CASE IN FORTY YEARS.
"The calm ana orderly administration OF q
constitutional Government is q subject n which
tho senate and House Of Representatives and
the President and the people are equally In.
reresed ana which they all In their respective
stations aud places equally responsible. IL is support
of that calm aud orderly exercise Of the
functions OF government that now address myself
resolutions Ii At least forty years sdee
any OF this kind has between the Execu
department OF the Government and tho Senate aud
when little more tuan forty years similar but
not the same question arose 1t h,d then been long
time any question had engaged public atten
slightest reluctance on the part either OF the Executive
the heads OF departments To respond To the calls OF
either house OF Congress or OF the committees for
papers in possession either OF the Executive
or of the departments have becA very
fcw indeed. Sometimes In the OF political fever as
i might bo called there has been cyinced wide yeary
apart reluctance aud hesitation the part the Ex-
ecutiye tho heads OF Departments TO do this thing,
and then that storm being the orderly administra
ton of constitutional government before aud
House OF Congress- its request ordenand
cass might be, and the committees OF either House.
could without direct aud positive authority send for
persons aud papers always obtain from the departments
their mere request every thing they found necessary
for the proper discharge or their duties Now again.
after almost hall century, the Senate fin Is itself
orted by The refusal OF the head OF the Departments OF
Justice to transmit copies OF official papers and dOcu
relating not to persons but to things relating
to officers tD offices, die IN tbs department
Taking up the case OF Mr.. Duskn, who suspended
to make room for Mr. Burnett, the question was. Mr..
Edmunds said, what the nature or the nomination
The President had not undertaken. In the OF the
statutes tOrbdng it, to remove Mr Dusku from office.
but had suspended him. Whom the nomination OF Bur.
nett had TO the Senate, therefore. Dukn the
attorney OF the United States for Alabama aud tho
proposition that he should be removed by tho
appointment OF tho gentleman selected his
If should meet the approva! Of the Senate Therefore
the Senate If 1t were even jury and had to submit to tho
ian ID "A "a IA
should DO laid before it, connected with tho and It's
1t would been relevant the very issue
submitted by the Judge to the jury. to know what was
conduct aud OF that oco In the hands
OF the whom the President asked the senate to
assist him IN displacing by the new appointment Mr.
adj ma clark read long oppiOn of Attorney.