Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-04-02
THE SENATE DEBATE.
It Ends with the Adoption OF the Ed
munda Revolutions,

THE SPEECHES WHICH PRECEDED THE FINAL
voTE-MR. INGALLS, MAKES SEVERE AR
RAIGNMENT OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS AD.
MINIsTBAT1oN.
The long debate on the question Of the
suppressed papers came to an end in the
Senate at $3.50 last Friday night The clos
ing speeches were of a character that interes-
ted the galleries, which were crowded nearly
the entire session, while many members of
the House occupied seats on the floor. Mr..
Ingalls, made one Of his inoisive speeches, in
which he did not spare the occupant of the
White House.
Certainly, Mr.. Ingalls, said, whether Gro
yer Cleveland was n very great or a very
small man, he was very extraordinary man.
His career forbade any other conclusion.
The democratic party was not wanting, when
the convention was held at Chicago, in many
great and illustrious names, men who had
led the forlorn hope in its darkest days, men
for whose character, achievements and his
tory not only that organization but the coun-
try had the profoundest admiration and
speot. There WAS Thurman and Bayard and
and Hendricks and Tilden and others per
haps not less worthy, but less ilustrious,
upon whom the mantle of that great distino-
tion might properly have fallen. But Grover
Cleveland, the man who, Mt the mature age
Of 80, abandoned liberal and honored pro.
fesson that he might become sheriff of an
interior county, was selected for the posi-.
ton. Aud when little more than a. year
ago he entered the Senate chamber and sub
sequently took the oath Of Office on this plat
form he encountered an audience, not one
twentieth part OF which had ever seen him
and the greater part Of whom two years be-
fore did not know him even by name, aud
who was even ut that moment practically un-
acquainted with the leaders of his own
party in the Senate. The rise OF Napoleon
was sudden, startling, dazzling. Many other
soldiers of fortune have sprung from obscur-
ity to fame, but no illustration of an obscurity
so profound to a height 70 brilliant and daz-
zling was recoIded In history as the selection
of Grover Cleveland to be the chief magis-
trate OF 60, 600, 900 Of people. II, when he
was inaugurated, he had determined that the
functions OF government should be exercised
by men Of his own party the nation would
have been content, and herein was founded
the justification that the majority OF the SEN
ate could use in demanding that no action
should be taken in connection with these
proposed removals from Office until there had
been satisfactory assurances that injustice
had not been done. II il were understood
| that these removals were for political reasons
the country would be content; the republi.
can us jority in the Senate would be content
But ever since bis Inauguration, and before
| his Inauguration, by many utteTanoea, official
and private, never challenged, Mr.. Cleveland
| declar, d he would not so administer the gov
| ernment.
For illustration Mr.. Ingalls, read from Cleve.
| lands letter of acceptance aud inaugural sd.
dress and his various pledges, public aud
| private, on the question OF civil service re-
form, and, contrasting them with the pract-
| cal acts OF the administration, made n show.
| loo ap,ttbtpf, hpt nraNftal1. q, De- A.
His running comments on the selection for
federal offices Of men convicted Of Infamous
| crimes, aud his contrasts of such appoint
menls as Higgins and Eaton evoked much
laughter, in which $ cretary Whitney joined,
| he occupying for a time seat in the dipo-
matte gallery. Mr.. Ingalls, denounced the
offensive partisan" letter Of Postmaster
General Villas as one OF the most despcable
documents ever issued by public official. In
referring to this be showed that, exclusive of
men whose terms had expired and Of resig
nations. the postmaster-general had removed
a fouTth-class postmaster every IL minutes OF
the time in which his office was kept open.
The illuminated Department OF Justice" and
the beads Of the other departments having
something which they wish to conceal by re.
fusing access to the papers were also handled
without gloves.
Mr.. Ingalls, was followed by Mr.. Harrison
OF Indiana, who made one of the most effect
i've spt eches delivered in the entire debate
After showing that the question of the Presi
dents power of removal was not involved, be
took up the practical side Of the matter and
read letters which suspended officers had
written to Villas without receiving even the
courtesy Of a reply. Mr.. Harrison's severe
denunciation Of this conduct WAS followed by
loud applause from the galleries His refer
ence TO the removal OF Union soldier in Ia
danapolis and the appointment of an ex
convict in his place brought Mr.. Voorhees, tC
his feet, who said that it WAS a "stupendoui
blunder,' for which he was in no way respon
sible. Mr Harrison said that to his knowledg,
3Gl Union soldiers and | | widows of soldier
had been removed from Office in Indiana anC
90 soldiers and ons widow OF soldier ap
pointed in their places
Mr.. Edmunds occupied an hour in CLOSING
the debate, in which he carefully reviewed
the question and added to the Democrat,
discontinue. He explained his reasons fo
voting to suspend the tenure-of-oiice act il
1863 and said that he would do the sam
thing again under similar extraordinary cir
cumstances-whch he thought might, tn,
way things are going now, exist at the clos
} of President Cleveland's term. Mr.. Harri
aud other Democrats questioned Mr. Edmund
J AZ to the meaning of the third resolution
} which he said meant that the senate shoul,
not confirm nominations in cases where
deems the papers necessary and they are re
fused.
l This closed the debate proper, but Mr.. Val
Wyck got the floor and made speech in ia
vor of his amendment providing that case
: which come up for rejection under the thir
resolution should be considered in open ses
sion.
Mr.. Platt and Mr.. Logan expressed them
selves in favor of the total abolition of exec
utive sessions ~ a separate matter, but not i
favor of Mr. Van Wyck's proposition.
Mr.. HOar raised the point OF order that
changed the rules and therefore required
day's notice. This point the chair ruled we
taken, but the Democrats thought to gal
support for their side by favoring Mr.. Va
Wyck's proposition, and they appealed fror
the ruling of the chair. BY a party vote. Nj
Van Wyck excepted, the chair was sustaine
in its ruling The first resolution, which az
proved of the report from the judiciary con
mittee, was then adopted by party vote {
32 ayes 10 2G nays, Mr.. Riddle berger not vo
ing.
The second resolution, expressing conden
nation of the attorney generals action in r,
fusing papers called for was adopted by
vote of 32 ayes to 25 nsys-also party vot,
The third resolution declaring it to be th
duty of the senate to refuse it's advice an
. consent 70 proposed femOVhls IN cases Wnel
the papers are deemed necessary and refused
gave rise to considerable discussion. I'll
Democrats tried tC have il ruled out of orde
on the ground that it changed the rules b,
the chairman decided against them on Il
ground that it was a mere expression of opil
ion. An appeal from this ruling, by the Den
!. ocrats, WAS laid on the table by vote of ;
to %.
Mr.. Brown of Georgia then moved to stril
out the third resolution. This was lost by
vote of 81 nays to 27 ayes.
The vote then recurred on the adoption
this resolution, and it was carried by vo
Of 80 ayes to 30 nAys-a party vote, excep
ing that Mitchell of Oregon, Van Wyck
Nebraska and Riddleberger voted with Il
Democrats.
Mr.. Morgan then offered an amendme
= that the resolution should not be consider
as rendering the attorney general liable
impeachment Mr.. Eimunds moved to Ii
this amendment on the table, which was OF
ried by party vote, 33 to 2G.
The fourth resolution, condemning the d
charge of ex Union soldiers aud the puttil
in their places of men Tho had rendered
military service for the government, "
adopted by unanimous vote, excepting III
Morgan of Alabama voted against it,