National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-27

gfCss could yet any information or papers
In the departments, except by the grace
and favor Of any autucrat who might be In
the executive chair, there was set up
monstrous doctrine subyersivo Of Il peoples
government. The question In that aspect
was infinitely more important than any
question OF CAB suspensions, or any other
number of suspensions. IL affected the
fundamental structure and the balance and
security belonging to our government that
the peoples representatives might know
what was the condition, not of private and
confidential papers, but the condition OF
public affairs In respect of the admlnistra-
tion Of the various departments. III infor-
| nation were denied as to one department
or subject, IL might be as to all.
MIR. Edmunds was opposed to the demo-
cratic idea Of stabbing men in the back.
| The Republican party, he said, were in
favor OF presenting liberty, Justice, equal
| rights, and fair play; and would go steadily
| forward, through thick and thin for the
| preservation Of civil and political liberty.
| They would go on to yindicate the political
rights Of every American citizen-now over
thrown, swamped, and suilocated In many
states of the Union and when IL had
done that II would try, In spite of
| Democratic opposition, to give to the
labors of the people-which was the
peoples capital-its wealth-that pro-
lection, encouragement, and defense that
was the right Of labor-which was the
capital-of every honest workingman In the
United States. Applause in the galleries ]
| The Democrats could carry on the govern.
ment, and allow secret charges to sweep
away the regulations of great number Of
your fellow citizens, who were allowed no
| opportunity to be heard; but It would not
| be q great while, Mr.. Edmunds hoped and be-
lieved, before all things would rectify them
selves.
The general debate having been con-
| cludcd, the FIRST question was on Mr.. Van
Wyck's amendment providing that sin all
such cases Of removal the matter Of connr-
| nation shall be considered in open session
| Of the Senate.n Mr. Van Wyck warmly
advocated his amendment.
Mr. IIoar raised the point that the
amendment was not in order, inasmuch as
| 1t changed the rules Of the Senate, and no
notice had been given Of 1t.
The president pro tempore ruled the
amendment out Of order. and appeal from
his decision was laid upon the table by u
strict party vote, except that Messrs. Van
Wyck and Riddlebcrger voted with the
Democrats. The vote, however, is not
considered a test of the strength of the
proposition for open executive sessions,
since Republicans who favor the principle
voted to table the appeal, aud Democrats
who oppose II voted against taOling It.
Mr.. Harris having demanded a separate
vote upon the resolutions, the first rcsolu-
/ tiOn adopting the report of the committee
on the judiciary was adopted-yeas %,
nays &C.
The second resolution, condemning the
refusal of the Attorney General to send
copies Of papers called for by the Senate,
was adoptcd-yeas 32, nays %.
The question being on the third resolu.
tion, declaring 1t be the duty of the Senate
to refuse its advice and consent to proposed
removals OF officers, the documents in ref
ercnce to the supposed misconduct Of whom
are withheld, Mr.. Gray raised the point that
| 1t changed rule Of the Senate and was not
in order. The president pro tempore over
ruled the point of order, and Mr. Gray ap-
pealed from the decision.
After debate by Messrs. Morgan, Ed
munds, lloar, and Blackburn, Mr. Gray's
appeal was laid on the table.
| The third resolution was agreed to- yeas
80, nays 90, Messrs. Mitchell Of Oregon,
Riddleberger, and Van Wyck voting with
the Democrats.
The fourth resolution, condemning the
discharge Of X.Union soldiers and the put
ting in their places Of men who had rem
dered no military service for the govern
ment, was agreed to-yeas So, nays (Nr.
/ MHrgan).
Mr.. Morgan offered a resolution declar-
ing that nothing In the resolutions already
adopted was to be construed as declaring
that the conduct OF the Attorney General
rendered him liable to impeachment, and
that the Senate disclaimed the right or
power to punish him by imprisonment or
otherwise, other than by impeachment for
the oflense charged against him In the
resolutions.
On Mr. Edmunds's motion this resolution
was laid on the table yeas 33, nays &c.
The Senate then adjourned until Monday.