The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-07
Official Conduct and Character of Super
visor Davenport Ably Defended
by Senator Frye.
TURPIE AT HIS USUAL WORK
His Bile Vented on the Heads of
Old Indiana Soldiers.
Outrageous Libel on Republican Deputy
Neutrality-suspicious. by Senators
Hawley, Harris and Daniel

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The Senate did
not come to vote on the federal elections
bill to-day, anticipated Several
Senator's who had not hitherto spoken de-
sired opportunity to be heard the
measure, and by unanimous consent the
time of general debate was extended until
o'clock tomorrow. The chief event Of the
day was the speech by Senator Frye OF
Maine, defending the official course and
character Of Chief Supervisor Davenport,
of New York city, and refuting the alleged
ISLANDERS and calumny which, he said. had
been heaped on him by the Democratic par
ty for twenty years. Speeches were also
made by Senators Harris, Daniel, Turpie
and Perkins.
Senator Hawley was the first speaker.
Everybody knows that this bill is to pass"
said he In fact Immediately after the
triumph of the Democratic party at the
polls at the last election it was known that
this law would be repealed. This marks a
distinct era in the history OF the country,
at least as regards the ballot 1t marks a
Interpretation of the Constitution upon
provisions of the Constitution supposed to
have been settled beyond doubt for a hum
dred years The very preamble of the Con-
stitution Is sufficient 10 indicate that the
power to make laws for the regulation OF
gress" Senator Hawley quoted the Con-
stitution providing for the election OF MEN,
bers Of Congress. and said: There can be
nothing palmer than this. James Madison.
one Of the greatest interpreters and ex.
Founders of the Constitution. said that this
power in the national government was nec-
essary In order to prevent its own dissolu-
ton. He said that this power was neces-
sary in order to perpetuate the national
government But, 1t is said that these laws
are failure; that they have not succeeded.
No law has ever succeeded In preventing
offenses. There have been audacious crimes
committed even in the last years in the
North. When we consent to the disfran-
chisement of citizens we need not say we
can confine it to the South. When the peo-
pie see the United States Congress treat
ing with disrespect any attempt to protect
their vote, how easy thing is IL for them
to suppose that the end shall justify the
means in New York or ST. Louis, Hartford
or Boston"
Senator Perkins spoke against the bin
and Senator Daniel in its favor.
Senator Frye followed and quoted from
a Virginia Democratic paper TO show that
wholesale frauds had been committed in
Virginia recently. Continuing, Senator Frye
defended the character of John l. Dayen-
port, chief supervisor or elections in New
h, m0rk said nave S the greatest respect Hs b fos
shown a fidelity in office that is rarely
SEEN"
TIME OF DEBATE EXTENDED.
Senator Gray was willing, after some
pressure, to consent to extension OF the
time of debate if the final vote could DO
reached at o'clock tomorrow, but Mr..
Stewart demanded that his bond resolution
should not thereby lose it's place on the
calendar. and Senator Berry raising the
same point in regard to a measure in which
"a nj ed
which prevented any unanimous agreement
for extension. Later in the day Senator
Harris renewed his request that the final
vote be postponed until tomorrow, and by
unanimous consent il was agreed that the
general debate should be extended until 3
p. m tomorrow, at which time the vote
the amendments and the bill should be
the only thing in order.
Senator Frye resumed his discussion of
Davenport and read letter written some
years ago by w. c. Whitney, ex-Secretary
of the Navy, highly commencing him for
an office Of public trust. In concluding his
review OF the life OF Davenport, Senator
Frye said: II admire him believe in
have ever seen in a man. / believed that
a defense was his due. as he was about to
is that it had been so meekly made by me,
but 1t has been honestly made, and Of that
1 can say no more"
Frye, and reiterated his charges against
the character of men appointed by Daven-
port. In Indiana, he said, the men ap-
had lost an eye, or an arm or a finger
who had lost their eyes in attempting to
force open windows and burglariZe houses;
who had lost their arms and fingers in
steel traps and by their attempts at rob-
berry, and theft and crime. Qaughterl
In beginning his argument in favor or the
bill Senator Harris declared the statements
of Senator Chandler, a few days ago, in
regard 10 frauds in the city OF Memphis
were unfouuded in fact, the courts having,
decided on that occasion that no fraud
had been committed He opposed the fed
eral election law because il was the exer-
else of power never before vested In
Congress by the Constitution OF the United
States. The clause in the Constitution was
power to regulate elections in the manner
provided by the federal election law. In
its earlier and better days Massachusetts
took the same position in its interpreta-
ton OF the Constitution, but IL appears to
have changed its opinion now.
Tennessee voted for this election law in
1871" said Senator Hoar. Il regret that
Tennessee does not remain OF the same
opinion" Oaughter)
setts may refer TO quite number OF votes
that Tennessee cast at that period. At that
time the great majority OF the Intelligent
people of Tennessee were disfranchised. and
had no voice in respect to such questions
or any other question Oaughter)
Does the Senator contend that anybody
was disfranchised in Tennessee except for
felony?' inquired Senator Hoar.
81 do not intend to allow the Senator
line OF argument / took an active part in
the struggle that took place from 1861 to
1865 and / do not intend to fight that battle
over again to crafty the preJudices or
caprices of the Senator from Massachusetts
or anybody else. L have had quite enough
of it" 0-aughter.) After a further brief
argument on the constitutional phase OF
the question Senator Harris. on account Of
Illness was compelled 10 close.
Senator Daniels replied 10 the reference
that had been made by Senator Frye IN re-
gard to Virginia earlier I'm the day. and
denied that there had been any wholesale
election frauds Ia that State. The ScnS.gn-
from Maine seemed to think IL was enough
TO read from a. newspaper and then say:
How the federal election law is needed in
that State"
At the close OF Senator Daniels speech
the Senate on motion Of Senator Quay. at
4:30 went into executive session Five min
utes later the doors were reopened and the
Senate adjourned.