The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-11


press and popular discussion, and the peo-
pie became as much excited over it as if it
had been a matter OF real national concern.
Those who favored the Benton resolu-
those opposed as "anti-expungers." The
Legislatures of different States took up the
question, and instructed their Senators to
vote one way or the other as their views
dictated. The expungers had decided ma
Jority in the Senate, but, in the absence Of
cloture, they were unable to bring on a
vote, and the courtesy of the Senate was
a stumbling block then as now. The de-
bate took wide range. and was partici-
pated in by Webster, Clay, Calhoun,
Ewing and other Senator'S. Finally, the ex-
pungers determined to end the discussion
and bring on vote. On Saturday night,
Jan. IA, 1884, the Democratic Senators held
caucus. at theethen famous restaurant OF
Boulanger. The caucus lasted till nearly
midnight. Some Of the Democrats were
not considered altogether sound on the ex-
punging question, and Calhoun openly OPP
posed 1t on the ground that the Senate had
no right to destroy its journal. The eau
Gus finally agreed to abandon the idea of
erasing or expunging the obnoxious reso-
luton. and, instead of that to inolose it in
square Of black lines and write across it
"expunged by order Of the Senate" Here
we quote from Renton's View.
The agreement which was to lead to vic
tory was then adopted, each one severally
pledging himself to 1t that there should be
nc adlournment of the Senate, after the
and that 1t should be called Immediately
after the morning business on the Monday
ensuing. Expecting protracted session ex-
tending through the day and night, and
knowing the difficulty of keeping the men
steady to their work and in good humor
when tired and hungry, the mover of the
proceeding took care to provide, far as
possible against such a state of things by
giving orders that night to have an ample
supply Of cold hams. turkeys. rounds OF
beef, pickles. wines and cups of hot coffee
ready in certain committee room near the
Senate chamber by 4 o'clock on the after
noon of Monday.
This was long before the Senate restaur-
ant had been established and before the
custom Of having "cold tea" brought into
Senator Benton showed wise forethousht in
preparing against the Generalization Of the
Senate by hunger.
The motion to take UP the subject was
made at the appointed time and debate
broke out Immediately. 1t was evident
that the anti-expungers intended to talk
against time. Benton, In his somewhat
grandiloquent style, describes the scene as
follows:
AS the darkness of approaching night
came on, and the great chandelier was lit
up. splendidly Illuminating the chamber,
then crowded with the members of the
House, and the lobbies and galleries filled
TO their utmost capacity by visitors and
spectators, the scene became grand and i'm
pressive.
The commfssary arrangements worked to
perfection. 1.-THE committee ROOM" says Mr.
Benton, 'had been resorted to in parties of
four and six at a time, always leaving
enough on watch, and not resorted to by
one side alone. The opposition were in
vited to full participation-an invitation
Of which those who were able to maintain
their good temper readily awaited them
selves; but the greater part were not in a
humor to eat anything, especially at such
a feast" The final scene Of what now
seems a farcical performance is described
| by Mr.. Benton as If it were really an event
| Of historic interest He says: b
| Midnight was now approaching. The
| dense masses which filled every Inch of
| room In the Hobbies and galleries remained
| immovable: No one went out; no one could
crammed with privileged persons, and it
| seemed that all Congress was there Ex-
| pectation and determination to the con-
| nance. 1t was evident that there was to
be no adjournment until the vote should be
| taken-until the deed was done, and this
aspect of invincible determination had it's
effect on the ranks of the opposition. They
| began to falter under useless persist
ence. for they alone now did the speaking:
and while Mr.. Webster was yet reciting his
| protest two Senators from the opposite
side, who had been best able to maintain
said This QUESTION has desenepated i hno
| a trial Of nerves and muscles. 1t has be-
come a question of physical endurance and
| keep off for a few hours longer what has
| to come before we separate. We see that
| you are able and determined to carry your
| measure. so call the vote as soon as you
please" Mr.. Webster concluded. No one
| rose. There was a pause, a dead silence
| and an intense FEELING. Presently the ST.
| lence was invaded by the single word ''ques-
| ton" One blank in the resolve remained
| to be filled-the date of it's adoption 1t was
| done. The acting President of the Senate
| Mr.. King of Alabama, then directed the
| roll to be called
The vote was ayes "a and nays 10. Mr..
Benton then rose and said nothing now re-
manned but to execute the order Of the SEN
ate, which he moved be done forthwith, and
it was so ordered. The Secretary Of the
Senate produced the journal and began to
draw the black lines around it, when a
storm of Kisses broke out in the gallery.
The presiding officer of the Senate prompt
| ly ordered the galleries to be cleared, but
Mr.. Benton, in his grandiose manner, OBJ
jected, saying that 1t would be unfair to
confound the innocent with the guilty
But" he exclaimed, '1et the ruffians who
have made the disturbance alone be pun
ished. / hope the Sergeant-at-arms will
be directed to enter the gallery and seize
the ruffians, ascertaining who they are in
the best way he can. Let him apprehend
them and bring them to the bar Of the Sen
ate. Let him seize the bank ruffians. Here
is one pest above us that may be easily iden-
tifed--the bank ruffian." The order to clear