Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-02-27
WASHINGTON.
Summary OF the Weeks Pro-
ceedings In Congress.
Jackson of Tennessee and Other
Senators Laying for Ed
munds.


the Senate all the reasons for removals
except those of confidential nature.
The Republican leaders then demanded
that the confidential reasons he sub
mitted to them also, in order that the
Senate might decide if they were really
confidential, and the direct issue was
thereby raised.
1t cannot be known what action will
be taken by the administration in regard
to this matter until the question is
officially brought to the notice Of the
Executive. Democratic Senators DO
not consider any further caucusing on
the so-called Edmunds rebellion, neces-
sary ON their part. They have taken
their stand with the President, since
they believe he is right, and they in
tend to sustain HIM.
A caucus is in contemplation, how
ever, for the purpose of appointing the
usual campaign committee to manage
the Congressional campaign. 1t will be
held in a few days and the Edmunds
demonstration may be brought up, but
the caucus will be held without refer
ence to it.
The issue will provoke hot political
discussion in the Senate, which is ex-
pected to begin next Monday. 1t will
probably continue for some days as
Senators of both parties are hunting up
precedents and preparing speeches on
the question, There are number of
Republican Senators who are opposed
to this farcial fight, although they feel
bound by political duty to abide by
their caucus decision in condemning
the Administrations determination to
maintain the Executive prerogative.
One of their non-sympathizers, Senator
Van Wyck, of Nebraska, stlgmatzes the
Edmunds attack as "hunt for ghosts
wool"
Senator Pugh, OF Alabama, Jackson,
of Tennessee, and kenna, of West Vir-
ginia, are among the Democratic Sena-
tors who are equipped and anxious for
the battle to begin. They say they will
be abundantly fortified with presidents
to Offset those given by the Republicans,
A Democratic Senator has in his pos
session the copy Of a letter written by
Sherman, when Secretary of the Treas
ury, declining to furnish Conkling,
then Senator with reasons for the sus-
pension of Chester A. Arthur, as Col
lector of the Port OF New York. There
are many indications that the coming
controversy will be bitter and the de-
bate exciting.
And what will it amount to? At the
worst it can only stop the President fIom
filling offices whose incumbents he may
see fit to suspend, leaving those Offices
in allegiance until the end of their regu-
lar terms And at that point even the
obstructive power of the Senate must
end, unless the Republican majority
undertake the desperate resort of refus-
ing to confirm the Presidents nominees
because they are Democrats. In either
event the Republican Senators will lose
the fight.
Monday being Washington = birthday,
Congress took holiday as well as Gov
eminent clerks. 1t is at work again to-
day, and the Blair educational bill is
still before the Senate Some very able
arguments have been made for and
against the measure. Though a stronger
opposition has been manifested against
it this session than last, no doubt is ex-
pressed that it will pass the Senate Ell
Their by its friends or enemies. 1t is
estimated that at least ten Southern
Senators will vote against it rs bein g I'M
constitutional and impolitc, although
under the provisions of the bill, their
section would share more largely in its
benefits than the North.
Al the Democrats of the House and
sixteen Republican members voted fer
the Ftz John Porter relief bill. The
passage of the bill was foregone con-
clusion, the only interesting feature OF
the vote lying in the number OF Repub-
cans who would range themselves with
Democratic sentiment in favoring Por-
ters full vindication.
The close Of the Porter debate brought
the first scene of the session., and end
ed in uproar and confusion. There was
a medley of comedy and tragedy. Men
on both sides of the hall dashed them
selves into passion. One member
accused another OF disingenuousness.
Another accused "A member of trying to
cram falsehood down the throat Of the
House. Members shook their fists in
the air and in each others faces, and
made other demonstrations equally I'M
parliamentary. They ridIculed each
others speeches, and shrieked and
laughed and groaned until the tumult
was settled by an order that the vote be
taken.