New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-15
THE ROACH CASE DEBATED.
MR. CHANDLER CLEARLY SHOWS THE
RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE IT.
DEMOCRATIC SEN MAJORS CARRY OUT 4 LITTLE
FARCE COMEDY-SENATOR Voorhees,
PETTITOGGING REPLY


FARCE COMEDY-sENAToR Voorhees,
PETTlFoGGING REPLY.
[sY TELEGRAPH TO IAE rRIBuxEl
| Washington. April Ex-senator Roach did today
what he ought to have done month ago ana what, he
asserted. he would have done had 1t been for the
advice Of Democratic Senator's Of long experience
* soon as the journal lHd been read he rose
personal explanation in concluding which H. expressed
hi, desire that Senator Hoar's resolution for In
vcstiGatiOn should be adopted
Prompt advantage OF tbs request taken by
senator Chandler. who said that he had intended to
address the Senate but wOlll be glad refrain from
doing II unanimous could be obtained for
the adoption OF the resolution reported from the Com
mtce on Privileges and Elections wi hout debate.
Chairman Vance Of that committee said that he would
not object far as he concerned, and he had
no soiner sat down than Mr. George, of Mississippi,
rose and declared that he mus Object; that his re-
Spect and veneration for the Constitution OF the United
states and his regard and snicitude for the rights
OF the sovereign states wculi not permit him 10
do otherwise. Mr. George as usual. was wordy, II
not fluent, and he occupied considerable time In build
Ing walls Of verbiagc 10 protect the Constitution and
the reserved rights OF tn states" from the expected
assaults OF the Republicans.
When he had finally concluded his speech, Mr.
German rose and offered substitute for the Ioar
rcsNution IL was the one framed and adopted In
'he Democratic caucus several days ago and pr
vidcd that the 5 nate Committee may investigate ana
report as to whether the Senate has any jurisdiction
10 investigate acts alleged acts of senator prior
10 MS election to that body. BY this time 1t had
become apparent that the Democrats were carving
our programme which had been carefully arranged
ana rehcarscd beforehand. that Mr.. Roach had cx-
pressed his desire for an Investigation of accusation
against which he did not inter one syllable uc
denial, well assured that Investigation would BE-
ma that Mr. Vance had said that there was no OBJ
he ID I'm |,
or Mr.. lloars resolution Well knowing that some
o'her Democratic senator would object-n n word that
all the parts in this sena oral arcccomcdy had been
assigned TO competent players.
10 senator Harris appeared 10 have been conl.cl
the duty OF breaking into the proceedings At inter
walls With observations and implied threats in nar
which could hardly be called polite and T., tonos
Which were calculated To curdle the blood IN the
veins OF hmid women and innocent children. Mr.
Harris probably attracted more attention than any
other performer in the east but Mr. VOORHEES, earned
and obtained fair share OF Democratic applause
Aler Mr. Roach had rcitcd his part he retired 70
his seat and devoted himself alternately 70 hi, cor
respondence and to listening 10 the debate lie was
apparently the least Interested and most uncon.
cerned man in the senate Chamber and as one ad.
mrlng Democrat remarked, he exhibited splendid
nerve.
Senator Chandler had not proceeded far With his
speech when Mr.. German asked him 10 Yield for a
complied and Mr. German was about TO Offer his
motion when Senator Harris and wanted n
know-was curious TO know-how long Mr. Chandler
proposed TO hold the floor under the unanimous
sent given yesterday. He was now that he
had not objected then, and he ready 10 do 50
at the first opportunity. II was evident
that Mr.. Harris dying for prctext 10 choke on
the New Hampshire senator. but at step
further than Mr.. German. the Democratic manager.
WIS willing 10 go. and he sal that he woul
withhold his motion and allow Mr.. Chandler 70 pro
coed. whereof the Tennessee Senator showed much
discomfort.
Mr. Chandler spoke moro than two hours. and II
Will be TIE Judgment Of all impartial and fair
minded lawyers who may read the speech tina, hl'
argument In behalf OF the right Of TIE Senate 10 III
ycstgate the accusations against Mr.. Roach-accuS'
tons which have not been denied either by himself
or by any other person in his bclali-is unahs"cF-
able
After setting forth vast array Of English prcc''
dents Mr. Chandler reviewed American pFrc''''h'S'
herinninr with the first case brought before Congress-
nearly hundred years ago. lie showed tna' rom
hat time down the present The doctrine tIa' 'lu''
branch Of Congress has the power to eXpel memo'r
on account Of crimes and mssdemcanors c"m"'Fu
before his election which II committed Thereafter
would subject him 10 the sam" punishment, has been
uniformly upheld both IN III" speeches OF eminent
Senators and Representatives. irrespective Of party
and in reports Of Senate and House COMMITTEES.
Mr. Chandler also showed that the senate. IN IN"
case a at least four senator'-MoSsrs. hlce oi
Minnesota Grovel Of Oregon, Clayton OF MRmNi'
and Matthews Of Ohio-had assumed jurisdiction %
and Investigated accusations referring 10 acts alleged
70 have been committed before the election o' ths'
Senator'S There could be no dOnb about me rlgh'
or power OF the senate 10 make the propoS'd iN'S
,ieation and he did not believe the Democratic ma
lorty would now place itself upon record against thai
fight or power. .
In conclusion Mr.. Chandler appealed to the majority
not TO make the words Of the Vice President appear "
be sarcastic when on taking the chair as presiding
officer Of tn. Senate he had declared II TO be me
most august delibera,vc assemblase known TO men
senator VOORHEES, replied. OF course he planted um
self on the Constitution. He sneered at tn" English
prccedcnts cited By Mr. Chandler and coolly Ignored
Inc American prccedcnts and arguments which III IN"
pcnding case He read parts Of the tOnSnfuliOn-ln
ending the fourteenth amendmcnt-Wlth great KuS'o
and I'm deep impressive tones and then he allnd'd
tenderly TO Mr. ROach's q" nisfOruncs". word which
he repeated more than once In order 10 eInpha We his
and OF course had refer the Pharisees OF Scrip
tnre and bid the wicked Republicans TO cast the beams
out Il their eyes. etc IL was petiif)gginR |
dcIna gOgfc speech on The Whole but |. was noccs
sary part of the Democratic performance and scn
provoke. considerable applause among persons Of that
political faith.
senator IInnsbrOuch also spoke. lie regretted the |
misfortune which had overtaken his colleague and his