The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-17
AIRING THE FORCE BILL.
KENNA MAKES ONE OF THE BEST
SPEECHES OF THE SESSION..

A Declaration that Davenport's Hand
Sticks Out All Over 1.-THE Measure
One of the Incidents of the Last
Scene in the Drama of the Repub-
lican Party.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 16.-In the Senate
this morning the dozen senator's present
Yesterday morning had dwindled down to
eight when the presiding officers gavel fell
this morning at 10 o'clock. The presiding
officer laid before the Senate MIR. Morgan's
resolution calling on the Secretary Of the
Treasury for information relative to the
payment of the claims Of John l. Davenport
as supervisor of elections and as circuit
court commissioner
In this connection Mr.. Hoar laid before
the Senate a communication which ne, as
chairman Of the committee on privileges
and elections, had received from John |.
Davenport, calling attention to certain
charges made against him in the
Senate, and offering himself as witness
under oath to the committee desiring to
examine him.
Mr.. German trusted that the senator
from Massachusetts, would offer a resolu-
tion to investigate the conduct Of Mr.
Mr.. Hoar replied that he had not con-
sidered the matter He merely presented
the letter for the information of the Senate.
GoRMAN PRESSES HIS POINT.
Mr.. German believed, he said, that when
Mr. Davenport desired au investigation it
should be accorded him in the interest of
the country, as we'll as in lustificatio of
himself, if he has any defense.
Mr. Carlisle thought that the senator
from Maryland had mistaken the terms of the
letter. Mr.. Davenport did notrequest that his
conduct be investigated, but simply ex-
pressed his willingness to go himself before
the co umittee and make statement. That,
he suggested would not be satisfactory to the
Senate or country. If Mr.. Davenport's
official conduct was to be investigated it
should be Investigated in the usual way.
The communication was referred and the
resolution adopted.
election of his colleague, Mr.. Pugh, and
they were laid upon the table.
INTERFERENCE WITH THE BALLOT.
The pending business was stated to be the
consideration of Mr. Dolph's resolution
providing for an investigation as to whether
the right to vote was denied or abridged in
any state with Mr.. Vests amendment ex-
tending the investigation of the inquiry as to
whether hy state legislation any man had
works by reason of his color. Mr.. Morgan
then took the floor.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Morgan. in opposition to the resolu-
tion, called attention to the fifteenth amend
ment to the constitution, criticisng it and
contending that the condition of the coun-
try would be much better had the govern
ment been content with the fourteenth
amendment If it had been left to the states
nf fhat To -t.ac oh,
losing their representation as far they
disfranchised the black men or Indians,
there would be found to-day every state
actively engaged in naturaliZing and pre-
pairing the recently emancipated negroes
for the duties and powers and privileges
aud obligations of citizenship.
THE ELECTIONS BILL.
Ths morning hour expired and the cleo
tons bill came up. Mr.. Morgan tolk the
floor in continuation of his speech against
the measure His first point of attack
against the bill was the provision for the ap-
pointment of chief supervisors. He con-
tended that under the language of the pro-
vision the position of chief supervisor
was life position. The courts
would have no power to remove
nor the House to impeach. The tenure of
office was for as long as an incumbent was
faithful and capable. Faithful to whom!
Mr. Morgan asked, and he added that John |.
Davenports name might as well be written
In the bill.
At the close of Mr.. Morgan's remarks,
Mr.. Pugh gave notice of an amendment re-
curing that applicants for the position of
deputy marshals, etc., shall be able to read
ana write and snail be OF good moral char
acter
LAST ACT OF A DRAMA.
Mr.. Kenna addressed the Senate in oppo-
htlon to the elections bill. The country
was about to witness, he said, the final act
IN the great political drama in which the
republican party had been playing the role
Vi star Tor quarter of 8 century. The
play had been long. 1t had paid well. Its
receipts had been enormous. The last pre-
ce1lng scene had closed in mutterlngs of
universal disgust Whether the per-
ioTmancs should end in comedy or
tragedy remained to be seen. Awaiting
patiently the elimination Of the play, the
interval might be devoted, he sad not with
out .aut profit. to somewhat casual review of
Me Me general plot and general performance.
ar. kenna proceeded to sketch the history
" VI tne Republican party, beginning with
oae reconstruction period, much to the dis
eeuVantage of that party. He denounced
". tae policy of the Republican party in regard
W .ne Mornons, public lands, tariff, navy
and Indiaus.
CARRIES IT'S OBJECT ON ITS FACE.
p Then, addressing himself to the bill, Mr..
Aenna said that there was no mistake about
i%uat 1t meant. There was no mistake that
H. was was cunning contrivance to place in the
;r.4as ;Ssnas OF the minority the control of the
bseVutlons Of the people with q
tSayonet for every ballot The senator
tbo to' e Massachusetts (Mr. Hoar) had told
Wv Sue senate that no time should be wasted
H. debate, as no ones Judgment would
ca Ss affected by it. He (Mr. Hoar) had de-
%N GIN 10 have the bill passed without
tsh'S.uSslon. tho. As there was perhaps, evidence
r.aI n.p ehat desire was concurred in by the
Ter tsHsr side Of the chamber, all that had
;dauehcy to impress on his mind at least the
.,dat 1ga C1at Tor some good reason it was con-
tSa SneIe1 ps1 wise, for party reasons, to smuggle
inc. inc o1l through congress, wise to have it
troose t-'a9e The statute book silently, as the
N'1u Of thief by night.
ITS AUTHORSHIP.
,sl !" as the bil he asked, the product Of a
foDJ1 f,J1 or OF fanatic, of q Solomon or Of a
,So :, Its terms and provisions were before
ra. senate. Its objects and its purposes
tba. tb'e carried on its face. 1t was understood
80 -11 John J. Davenport was its author IL
uuued like him; it looked like him;
,o,, read like him; every sec
eysr.. e,, every clause every line and
snsISS, iettor ,ttor Of it from one end TO tue other