Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-23
r0L0UITT IN THE FRAY.
TELLING POINTS MADE FOR |
THE PRESIDENT.


shermap's Letter as Secretary OF thS
Treasury Fired into the Ranks OF the
Disgruntled RepubIicans-The Radical
Course the Last Kick OF the Expiring
Party.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-ln the Sen
ate this afternoon the judiciary Commit
tee resolutions came UP and Mr. Colquitt
took the floor in opposition to the major
ity report. ,
If there ever was question, Mr. Col"
mutt said, that should be settled 1t was
the question involved here. 1t had been
settled by the constitution and by the first
Congress and had remained settled for
forty years, and when then it was ques-
toned it was again settled and had re-
mained settled till this day.
PREVIOUS FAILURES.
Referring to the contest between Presi-
dent jackson aud the Senate Mr.. Colqultt
said that if the gigantic intellects of
Messrs. CLAY, Calhoun and Webster could
not succeed IN Overturning the received
and established constitution and inter-
nretatiOn of the constitution, 1t should be
a warning 10 the leaders or this day that
they are engaged in futile attempt to
place another construction on the cOnsti-
tuLion. The intrinsic power of truth was
greater than the power OF leaders. There
was no reason why the power of the
President to make removals should now
ne questioned unless modern statesmen
had discovered something which had
escaped the sagacity of the founders of
our government. Offensive partisanship,
Mr.. CoQutt said, was not a new dis
sOvery with this administration. He read
a circular of President Hayes prohibiting
Jhe participation OF Officeholders in polIti-
sal caucuses, etc.
WHAT IT is.
To show what Official partisanship was
Mr.. COlquitt read a letter addressed by an
Ot1cehOider to the Secretary of the Treas
ury. without giving the name Of the wri-
ter or the place that he had held. Having
been charged with want of diligence in
his office the officehOlder wr6te boldly
that he had been nominated to office with
out his knowledge, that his appointment
had been made looking 10 political
operations in the then approaching pO-
itcal campaign of 1884, that
with view of increasing his
usefulness he accepted the Office, that in
accepting 1t he had little thought of Sc
Guiding himself in it, for such a course
would have confiicted with the entire
programme of the friends who had had
him appointed, that he had gone to Wash
ngtOn aud remained there two months
doing political work, and that that action
was sanctioned by the Secretary of the
Treasury at the time, who well under
stood the object of the visit to Wash
ngton.
WEIGHT OF WASHINGTON LETTERS.
To the average Republican, the writer
SAID, letter from Washington was more
effective than one from any other place. He
f.s,aa nd 10
correspondence from Washington with
citizens in the State of his residence, and
although not a delegate to the Republican
Convention, be went to the Chairman, and
had had much TO do with securing the 24
votes OF his State for Arthur. Mr.. Col
quitt read from the report as to another
0thcehOlder. showing that he was found
short over $500 in his money order depart
ment and had not one cent wherewith to
make good this shortage.
USED THE MONEY HIMSELF.
This deficiency had arisen from the use
of government fluids in the private busi-
ness of the oficehOlder. He had also eX-
changed postage stamps for merchandise.
Mr.. Logan inquired if that Officeholder
had been suspended?
Mr.. Colquitt said no, but that he would
be suspended, ''lf you VIII give assurance
that his substitute for him will be con-
irmed"
Mr.. Logan inquired if the paper Mr..
Colquitt had read from was on record?
MIR. Colquitt-Yes.
Mr.. Logan asked whether it was from
the Post Office Department?
Mr.. COIquitt answered that it was, and
that 1t was open to any Senator apply
ing to see it.
LOGAN LEARNS SOMETHING.
Mr.. Logan was struck he said, with the
strange fact that records could be fur
nished against individuals Tor some Sena-
tors TO make speeches from, but could not
he furnished when called for in a resolu-
lion Of the Senate. Laughter in the gal
leries.
Mr.. Colquitt assured Mr.. Logan that he
could have any records in the Post Office
department If he would apply for them.
ihey had never been refused.
Ar. Hoar inquired whether the facts
we're that papers Ot this character were
furnished when officials were guilty, and
not when they were innocent?
Mr.. Colqutt had no doubt the Senator
could get papers of both characters II
mere were such papers in the department
ana the Senator would ask Tor them.
HoAR HUNTING THE PRINCIPLE.
Mr.. Hoar asked on what principle pa
ptrs were given to 4 Senator, but denied
TO resolution OF the Senate.
Dir. Colquitt said that they had never
0een denied. He asserted that no Sem
ator had ever been refused access to pa
pers n that department. The department
hsd, however, refused to give them in re-
sponse TO call made as a matter Of right
py the Senate. Senators had never been
den!ed an inspection Of papers.
Mr. Hoar said this WAS the first time be
uaa heard Of the consent OF the depart-
ments TO exhibit them TO anybody except
70 senators on the Democratic side, aud
mr. Hoar had heard Of "A good many
'eiusals.
HAD NEVER APPLIED.
=, Nr. C0lquitt presumed tire Senator from
massachusetts, had never applied or he
would have found out.
pr. Hear said be mad never applied.
hr. Colquitt remarked that In such a
Sse there was no good reason for MIR.
u9aPs statement that papers had been
refused.
Mr.. Hoar said he Mr.. Hoar) was men,
'at OF committee that had been refused.
,, Mf. Colquitt admitted the truth OF Mr..
hoars statement. The demand WAS
maue as matter OF right, be said, that
lhe papers should he sent 10 the Senate
papers Of very different character from
lnose that be had read here. and that the
uemand had been refused But all papers
y this character. aud Mr. COquitt doubt
su not papers Of every character, would
re open % Senators who should seek 10