New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-03
TO FIRE SOUTHERN HEARTS
THAT WAS THE OBJECT OF THE ELECTION:
BILL DEBATE
FAILURE OF THE PLAN TO STIR UP SECTIONAL
sTRIFE-CHAMP CLARK PoURs FORTH
FLOOD OF ELOQUENCE-oTHER SPEAK
ERS YESTERDAY.
Frs YESTERDAY.
rBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSR.]

rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNRJ
Washington oct. 1.-The debate on the bill to
repeal the National Election laws engaged the at
tention of the few Representatives who were In
their seats to-day. At times in the course OF the
day all the members present could have been COM
fortably seated, without crowding one another, IN
any of the larger commttee-rooms. and they would
then have been far less lonely. The debate thus
far has been a sad disappointment to the Demo-
Gratis 1t appears that the CHIEF motive ior
bringing the measure forward at this Time ana
that. too. under the auspices and leadership OF n
rather obscure Virginia Representative, was the
hope that the debate would furnish an opportunity
to fire the Southern heart for the especial benefit
Of Colonel OFerrall, the Democratic candidate ior
Governor of the Old Dominion whose friends anu
partisans had become alarmed over the activity OF
the Popusts and the symptoms that they were
making large gains at the expense of the Demo-
Gratis As everybody knows, there was to be no
general election within thirteen months In which
the obnoxious laws could be invoked and hence
there was no sound or apparent reason for haste
But Speaker Crisp. who feels under deep obliga-
lions TO Colonel O'Ferra for assistance rendered
in the Speakership tussle of 1884, and other Demo-
Gratis whose sympathies were deeply stirred were
simultaneously struck by the same happy thought.
and with one accord they exclaimed: Let us force
the Republicans into bitter and angry partisan
debate on the bill to repeal the Federal Election
laws They will be to take the bait and wave
the bloody shirt. and that will give OFerrall an
opportunity to fire the heart Of old Virginia, ana
recall the hayward wanderers who have strayed
and straying from his ranks into the camp OF
the Popul!sts."
1t was q great scheme. and a cunning one In
order to insure Its success the Speaker and his
Democratic compatriots OF the Committee on Rules
brought into the House the most drastic and ex-
traordinary parliamentary special order that was
ever invented or framed. which was carried through
the House by rulings and proceedings even more
drastic and extraordinary than the order Itself
means 30 revolving that II was fondly believed
the Republican leaders would be thrown into such
a state of evaporation and frenzy that the debate
which was 10 follow would be one Of the btterest
and most exciting ever heard. Well the Republi-
cans have not fallen into the trap and therefore
the Democratic leaders mourn. II appeared 10
be the design of two or three OF their speakers
to-day to goad the opponents Of the bill into say
ing things that might AFFORD pretext Tor speeches.
TO fire the Southern art for O'Ferralrs beneht,
but every attempt o.. i In failure. which must
have exasperated It's author.
The Republicans smiled when Cooper Of Florida,
ranted and screamed not for b-lud. but for justice
fob my people, sah." The smiles broadened into
grins and broke into laughter as they watcheo
the antics Of the Pike County statesman. Champ
Clark. who fairly turned himself loose and
foundered In a turgid food Of Missouri eloquence as
he described Julius Caesar shvering in his grave
and Napoleon the Great and Napoleon the Little
quiverng with envy" over the enormities o, me
day and that is saying good zeal. Arkansas
was not far behind Missouri, and the canebrakes
Of that noble State will CULVER" not with envy.
but with pride when the reverberations OF Dins-
rnores eloquence shall be heard among them
But Alabama's champion. Denson-what shall be
said of him? He simply immense ne al,
mitted that there have been occasional violations
guilelessly added. .If there had been no such
laws they would not have been violated This
may not be a literal reproduction of his language:
but It gives in a nutshell the substance OF one or
his strongest arguments In favor OF repeal lie
was a shining mark for Messrs, Ray, Of New
York and Blair, of New Hampshire. who asked him
a number Of questions and wrung from nm a
number of admissions which a man less honest In
his convictions or less artess In expressing them
would not have been likely to make