New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-18
MIR. DANIEL ADVOCATES THE BLAIR BILL.
A STRIKING AND EFFECTIVE sPEECH-REPLflNI
TO CRITICISMS OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS

A
TO CRITICISMS OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS
Washington March II (speclal.-Scnitor Dahiei' or
yirgin amade striking and effective speech tns a'ee
noon in behalf OF the Blair Educational bill Nhde no
said was interesting and to the point, ana inc virginia
Senator always be depended upon for the gae' OF
finished oratorical manner Probably the most hote-
worthy thing about the speech Mr.. Daniels frank
announcement that the Light OF the legislative hi'-
tory Of country for the last fifty years he vas
forced TO consider the broad construction theory Oh tho
constitution as established beyond controversy. HIS
education and political training had all been OF tho
sort to give him a prediction for the strict con,truc-
ton theory but looking candidly At the facts Ok
history he found the universal tendency OF political
opinion and OF legislative action all the other way.
The logic Of language might sustain some OF MS fenow
senators from the SOUTH who found the bar Dill IN
constitutional, but the logic OF fact laughed them ous
of court
such heretical doctrine brought forth an astonshed
rcbuke from senator Harris. Of Tennessee. venerable
scker for the strctest Interpretation OF every syllable
Of tie Constitution. Then senators Reagan ana Coke
two more " Constitutional experts, tried 10 oveTaNe
the Virginia orator by reading various passages IN
the Constitution But with the aid Of senator George
Of Mississippi Mr.. Daniel held his ground successfully
giving back to his inquisltors as good as he got
senator Edmunds came to the Democratic side TO
enjoy the argument, and incidentally coached hr.
Daniel here and there In the laters c1onders 10 hs
critics. The Vermont senator Congratulated Mr.
Daniel warmly at the close Of his speech.
The passage of the bill, Mr.. Daniel said. had been
asked for in the platforms Of tho Republican parry
In Virginia it had been asked for in the platforms OF
the Democratic party IL had been asked for In
public meetings: and it had been asked for by tho
almost unanimous vote OF the General Assembly OF
Virginia that state, at least, had IN unequSo-
cal language said that desired the passage OF the BILL
lie Nlr DANIEL had no difficulty 10 the constitution
ality OF tho measure. The next question: therefore,
that presented itself Was IL wise and proper
measurci' The measure not the offspring OF inc
solicitations OF the commonwealth7 OF tho soul. !.
was tin his judgmentJ the offspring or generous anu
philanthropic feeling the part ot those statesmen
who suggested il. 1t was the believed the nrst
measure general and comprehensive legislation since
the unhappy period Of the war winch tilo hehDe.s
OF the great political organization tat hah, IN the
main, controlled the legislation OF the country llad
proposed to apply TO the solution Of those questions
which were as the aftermath Of bloody struggle.
The southern states, Mr.. Daniel continued Lad been
had since 1870 spent S252 100000 taken ont OF the
pockets Of the people. FOR the purpose Of edncatio:
magnitude of il, gifts and appropriations.
Mr. Daniel. proceeding t. discuss ssne nstltltOal
point, Ia connection with the Bill, was asked various
senator's Harris Morgan. Reagan Coke and Faulkner;
but declared. in reply 10 their objections that no
could not any substantial difference between tho
power # the Federal Government to take piece Of
land aud give IL for educational purposes, and
the power take money out Of the Treasury with the
sc. at'r Morgan, of Alabama spoke in opposit on
to the bill. His state. he said, could not afford
To- raise a school fund big enough 10 keep the system
going after Federal aid should be withdrawn. 10
conld not even raise a sum equal 10 that 10 be RS
crived annually from the National Treasury under
ton luxury. evidently. and not n necessity. ne
doubtless satisfied also that the money appropriatd
by the Blair bill could be put To better use trans
porting negroes Of the South TO his anciful black
republic on the Congo.