The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-09-11
WASHINGTON LETTER,
BRECKENRIDGE EXPELLED FROM
HIS SEAT.

HIS SEAT.
An Interesting Statement Concerning
Hon. John S. Henderson-The Tariff
The Alliance, Etc.
Especial Correspondence to The Sentiaet.l
| WASHINGTON, Sept. o.-Yesterday
| Congressman Breckenridge, of Arkan-
sas, was expelled from his seat III Con-
gress by strict party vote. The case
bad been under discussion for severa!
days, and the result was not unex-
pected. He will be re elected to fill
the unexpired term caused by his ex-
pulsion, as well as to succeed himself
in the 521 Congress.
*.
| The tariff debate in the Senate will
close Monday, and it is believed tt at
the Mckinley bill, as modified by that
body, will pass. The debate has de-
veloped strong opposition to the
theory of the measure, especially in
the West. That section is rapidly
drifting towards an alliance with the
South in political matters, and will
send probably fifty more Democrats
to the next Congress than it has to
| the present one. The Farmers Alli-
ance of the West is working rcvolu
tion in public sentiment there; and the
Democratic party will be the benef-
ciary.
1 regret to see disposition in
| North Carolina to array the Alliance
4 f1 1a1I
view of the fact that the negroes have
declared for the Lodge bill, and will
endeavor to take advantage of all dis
sensions among the whites to elect men
who favor that revolutionary scheme.
1 think that both the Democratic
press and the Progressive Farmer are
somewhat to blame for the present
state of things. If the former had
been little more cautious and the
latter little less pugnacious the re-
suit would have been better for all
concerned The Alliance has nomi-
mated five candidates for Congress, all
of whose chances will be effected by a
quarrel between their order and the
regular Democratic ticket.
In view of the fact that Mr.. j. S.
Henderson will be opposed by So
called independent Republican alli-
ance candidate, l wish to make a
statement. | have paid much atten-
ton to the record of Southern Con-
gressmen, and am sure that in point of
practical results Henderson has achiev-
ed more than any other man from our
section. A review of his career here
would show this conciusively.
| He was elected to Congress in 1854,
and took his seat in December, 1885.
He has secured legislation of vast i'm
portance to the whole country. Among
/ the bills he has succeeded in getting
through both houses is one placing
judgment of the Federal courts on the
same footing with those of State
courts as to registration, liens, and all
other particulars. Another valuable
law which the country owes to his
efforts is one prohibiting Federal
court judges from expressing any
opinion on the facts in jury trials.
These are matters of great general inn
portance; but while they are fully ap-
preciated by those conversent with
Federal legislation. the insignifcance
| of such things is too often overlooked
by the State press and our own people.
They have, however, established Mr..
Henderson's reputation as one of the
soundest lawyers and most trust wor-
thy Statesmen in Congress; and has
resulted in his being awarded a prom
inent place on the Judiciary Commit
tee both by the last and the present
Speaker of the House
Again, he is the onl y man who has
been able to secure yea and nay
vote on the question of internal reve-
| nue. since the war. In the closing
hours of the 49th Congress, the House
on his motion came to a vote on the
| suspension of the rules the passage of
a bill modifying the revenue system.
130 Democrats and 9 Republicans
voting in the affirmative, and 106 Re-
publicans and 6 Democrats, in the
negative; making 139 in all for the
measure, and 112 against it. But
since a two third majority was required
to pass it, he failed. This vote, how
ever, fixed the status of the two par
ties on the question, and fairly settled
the dispute as to which of them really
favored the spy system. This yea and
nay vote has been of great service to
the party in Virginia, North Carolina,
and Tennessee, and will always stand
as a monument to Henderson's good
management. No other man has been
able to secure such a vote.
Finally, he has always interested him
self in the development of the State,
and Major Powell, the director of the
Geological survey, has stated that ev-
cry county in Western North Caroli-
ma should be thoroughly examined in
respect to its mineral resources. This
will be worth millions to our State.
I hope that Alliance men will not be
misled into antagonizing thorough
ly energetic, capable, and faithful rep
resentative who has served all his con-
stituents impartially and we'll.
Jos. BRADFIELD.
"A sixteen year old daughter of a