New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-27
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TO CORRUPT THE BALLOT.
DEBATE ON THE TUCKER BILL BEGUN IN
THE HOUSE.
MR. BRosIUs MAKES BRILLIANT AND I'M.
PREssIYE ANSWER TO THE DISCOUNTED
ARGUMENT OF THE AUTHOR OF
THE MEASURE.

THE MEASURE
(DY TEIEGRAPH THE TRIBuSEl
Washington, Sept 26-Debate on the tucker Dill,
providing for repeal Of every statute bearing upon
Federal supervision of Federal elections. was begun
In the House to-day The OCCASION strange 10 say
did not draw much OF crowd. on the hoor tnere
was hardly at any time in the course OF the TOUR
hours session OF the House a quorum present. In
the galleries many empty rows OF benches, due
perhaps in part 10 the inclemency OF the weather
outside But most noteworthy was the absence
of the prominent leaders the Democratic SIDE.
Mr. fuckers effort did not seem capable at any
time of holding the attention OF any considerapie
number of his party friends. Wilson, Springer,
Bynum Cochran, Oates Turner. the Speaker HIM
self were for the greater part of the session con-
spcuous only by their absence. On the RepuDiicah
side the other hand. the attendance was ABOVE the
average The really brilliant opening made for the
oppositon by Mr.. Brosius. of Pennsylvania FOUND
nearly every Republican in his seat Throughout
the delivery of his remarks he was followed with
the closest attention and rewarded by frequent
bursts of applause. SO impressive was his manner
so earnest impassioned yet free from rancor his
argument that at its close even Democrats Joined
not many, II is true but some few-n the wave OK
applause which swept over the Republican side OF
the House.
Mr. Brosus suffered under the disadvantage OF
having at the last moment been called upon to take
the place OF Mr. Dolliver of Iowa, who was pre-
vented by Illness from speaking to-day. as he had
o.
nature Of Mr.. Brosiuss address, it was so lucid
and logical that it gained probably in force what
it lacked in polish. Mr.. Brosius appeared at ms
best however, when after the conclusion OF his
speech the Democratic side sought to overwheim
him with voey of questions and criticisms. Fol
nearly twenty minutes he returned the hre with
deadly effect until the Speaker thought II wise 10
interfere by drawing attention to the fact that Mr.
Brosus was occupying the floor by courtesy or the
House and in his own right Mr.. Brosus re-
tired If such an expression can be used In the case
of a man in undsputed possession or the held OF
argument by saying that he took his seat at the
request Of the Speaker not because he was either
unwilling or unable answer all the questions
propounded by the Democratic side
THE SOUTHERN HEART NOT FIRED.
OF Mr. fuckers speech it only be said that It
was a disappointment to most of his friends. VINO
considered that opportunity for making reaiiy
great argument-from the Democratic point OF view
had been lost. Much of the effect which 1t might
otherwise have produced, among the faithful at
least was frttered away by disjointed ana
illogical ARRANGEMENT Of the several issues raised
by Mr. Tucker The peroration. evidently prepared
with some care. struggled through accident or IN
advertence into the middle of the speech ana taiied
altogether to fire the enthusiasm OF the southern
Democrats for whose benefit it had been con-
structed Worst of all Mr. Tucker had to refer
continually to his notes, hampering his deivery
and taxing the patience OF his listeners. >ei'hcS
did the violent swaying to and fro or MS pody' tne
windmill -lks snnxeaeyt Of his ssas mo rne isAstio
clapping of his left hand with his right by way Oh
emphas sizing his arguments add to the effectiveness
OF his delivery
The most trying part of the performance. now
ever was the rasping voice with which It's owner
performed the most astounding feats IL woud SINK
every once in a while. and for no apparent req
SON to a conspirators whisper. and then again
rise in a gust of passion to the proportions OF
fochorn At no time did Mr.. Tucker command the
undivided attention Of more than dozeh peopie
about him. Mr.. fuckers argument, as was 10 DC
expected was based entirely upon the most extreme
construction of the States rights doctrine. his
nronoston was that the right OF suffrage is con-
ferred by the State and not by the Federal Govern
ment upon those living within its boundaries Be
ing conferred by the State. the state alone mas
the power to rescind restrict it, Federal control
Mr. Tucker was disposed to regard as unJustina-
bic restriction
MR.. RAYS PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
Mr. Raw. of New-York directed several pointed
questions at the young Virginian. ending with an
inquiry whether he Nfr TuckeD regarded the Eiec-
ton laws unconstitutional
"I do" promptly replied Mr. Tucker
"Don't YOU know" ventured to suggest Mr. Kay
IN tho most siIave manner possible, that the Si-
nreme Court of the United States has declared
those laws to be constitutional! :!
Mr. fuckers answer lost-to the galleries at
,aast-in the laughter which followed the scoring
nf III.
ron,v was couched in the following classic Ian
ouage. 81 don't care a d whether 1t did or not
Thus warming up to his subject. Mr.. Tucker pres
antlv declared that If the right existed TOT
Federal supervisor Of elections to challenge voter
,hon a marshal OF the United States could like
wise "invade the very halls of legislation wnen
q bal,ot for United States Senator is being taken
and challenge the right Of. say, member OF 'he
Virginia House Of Delegates. ,.,.,., ,h.t IN.
General Henderson, OF Illinois; intlmated thaS .ne
senate was the Judge of the election of rs mem
hsrs and hence that there no necessity Tor
marshal MIR Tucker did not think there was
much in this. and ended this branch OF the sup,
isct by declaring that he recognized for himself
NO fealtv 10 the United States except as IL was
defined by the powers delegated TO II by the
several States-a sentiment delivered with an ins
smnhasis of conviction and rapturously appiaudeo
by all the Democrats present
NEWS FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEwNoRk
The peroration which. as already mentiohed'
straved into the middle of the speech contained the
,,sua, huncombe of such devices Human liberty
u,as tramnled upon in Mr. fuckers opinion. II.
indeed. IL was not already lying bleeding IN me
gutter Under these Infamous laws men had peen
80 iron, tho bosom of their families and tried
without an opportunity TO DEFEND themselves. 10
- srashorn American citizens. And then he de-
cared with great deal OF uncuon naS rhe asroS ,S
NOT exceed in depravity the crimes committed py
John l. Davenport against the Liberties OF the PEG
iing niece of information for the first time to-day.
but may console themselves with the thought tnat
the Sf r TacRs TalRty Bring JOY into the
homes and to the hresides OF the eiuzens OF New
York. -. -. A.. o..,or,,,,
Vrenian by asking him how he reconced the
statement made in the LID Congress by Mr. Fitch
peaed for the reason that no one was
victed under them with the statement uhat me
atrocities OF the Duke Of Aiva" 1t a conun-
drum which Mr.. Tucker seemed unwilling TO solve