The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-05
And Delivers Strong Speech in Favor of Ad-
mitting the Territory-The Arguments
of Vest and Butler Demolished.
Indications that the Telephone Investi-
cation Will Come to Naught.
Senator German Finds Great Difficulty in
Keeping His Numerous Promises-Demo-
Gratis and Arrearages Of Pension.
THE DAKOTA BILL.
Senator Harrison Refutes the Arguments of
Messrs Butler and Vest
Suecfal to the Indianapo,is Journal.

Senator Harrison Refutes the Arguments of
Messrs. Butler and Vest.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb 4-Senator Harrison
made one of the best speeches of his life this
AFTERNOON. He spoke in support of his Dakota
bill, and demonstrated, as distinguished states
man tonight expressed it, most remarkable
ability for clear and deep thought while on his
feet The arguments made by Senators Butler
and Vest in opposition to the bill were more
than overcome. Senator Harrison created
good deal of laughter when he tore away the
film of opposition his measure was meeting
among Democrats OF the Territory. 1t had
been asserted that the movement for statehood
was purely Republican, and that the reputable
Democrats of the Territory were opposed to it.
The Senator sent to the Clerks desk and had
read an extract from the proceedings of the last
meeting of the Democratic Territorial committee,
held at Sioux Falls, and published in local
newspaper. The presiding officer of that meet
ing, in taking the chair, made speech in the
course of which he declared in favor of Cleve-
land. Hendricks and reform, adding that the Re-
publicans had pronounced for temperance
Water" said he, sis good enough for cows and
Republicans but it is whisky straight for US.
Yes-Cleveland, Hendricks, reform and whisky
straight" When Senator Harrison called atten-
tion to the fact that Democratic assembly
had opposed division of the Territory,
as proposed in his bill. there was renewed
laughter He then showed that another
and evidently more respectable Democratic
meeting, had indorsed the provisions of his bill;
al hat tio Of ha
Territory and the most reputable members of
the party there favored his measure. letter
was read from the Hon. Bartlett Tripp. Chief
justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory
by the grace of this administration. strongly in
dorsing division and admission under the pro
visions Of the pending BILL The Democratic
Senators WINGED as Senator Harrison pointed out
the way in which they were repudiating the
precedeRts set by their forefathers in the matter
of admitting Territories into the Union without
the necessary enabling acts which they were now
bowling about. He did not think they could
afford to thus repudiate the traditions of their
party.
The galleries were crowded during all of the
two hours and over in which Senator Harrison
spoke. The bill will probably be passed to-mor-
row. 1t will receive more than party vote
Senator Voorhees, who will be absent from
his seat, having authorized Senator Harrison to
pair him with an opponent Of the bill, and
Senator George, of Mississippi, being for it.
The Associated Press report of the debate
says:
In the Senate, this afternoon, the Dakota bill
was placed before the body and Mr. Harrison
took the floor. He insisted that the real animus
of the objection was that another presidential
election should pass before the people of Dakota
were to be permitted to participate in such elee-
tions.
Mr.. Morgan said the Senator from Indiana
[Mr. Harrisonl, who was evidently a candidate
for the presidency, might not have chance at
the votes of Dakota, for Mr. Morgan did not
think he would ripen in four years.
Mr.. Harrison replied that if he ever should be
a candidate, although he would not be at all sure
but that he might justly claim the electoral vote
of Alabama, he never would expect to have 1t
counted for him.
The debate now became animated. On Mr.
Buffers stating, in one instance, that Mr.. Harr-
son did not understand the point at the moment
in controversy, Mr.. Morgan remarked, ''Oh. he
does not want to understand it; let him go
along"
Mr.. Harrison insisted that Messrs. Morgan
and Butler had set up man of straw and hustled
him all round the Senate chamber; and, as the
debate proceeded, and Mr.. Harrison read papers
cOnbraulCtlug CHOS6 OF Lne OLneT SlQe TO snow the
feeling prevalent in Dakota with regard to the
question of admission, one Senator created
something of a sensation by quoting King
Henry's exclamation: "Oh, Lord, how this
world is given TO lyingw" This brought down
the floor, as we'll as the galleries. Other
tors participating in the debate. For example,
when Mr.. Harrison wanted to know how Mr..
Butler would have entitled the new Constitution
of Dakota, if not ''the Constitution of the State
of Dakota" he propounded this inquiry Would
the Senator have begun it with the words, by
the grace of God and the Senator from South
Carolinag" Laughter. To which Mr. Butler
replied: "No; should have simply said by the
grace of the Senator from Indiana" Renewed
laughter.
Mr. Harrison spoke at some length in further
maintaining the points made by him before the
committee. Concluding his remarks, Mr.. Har-
rison appealed for justice for Dakota from the
men who, the descendants of the men of '76
would themselves feel restive under the re-
stralnts now imposed upon the Territory that
was seeking admission.
Mr.. Butler obtained the floor to reply to Mr..
Harrison, but Mr. Gail asked him to give way for
an executive session. This Mr.. Butler was will
ing to do
Mr. Harrison wished some agreement arrived
at as to the time when the Senate should come
to a vote on the bill.
Mr.. Beck said that in Mr.. Vests absence he
MR. Beck would not be willing to consent that
time be fixed.
Mr.. Harrison understood from Mr.. Vests col
league that MIR. Vest might not be in the Senate
for week yet.
to be pursued. the Republicans showing unwill-
ingness to go into executive session without an
agreement as to a vote.
Without further action on the bill, the Senate
adjourned.
TIE TELEPHONE SCANDAL