Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-12
IT WAS DELAWARE DAY"
How This Little State Figured PrCmi-
nently in Congress.
BAyARD, DUPONT AND WILLIS
All Concerned in the Days
Exciting Events.
WILLIS LAUNCHES HIS MAIDEN BILL

1t Was Measure TO Regulate the Pay Of
Letter.Gurriers--T Tile Consideration OF
Colonel du Points Senatorial Claims
How the Reckless Assault Upon Ainbps-
sndor Baynrd Was Receivod-A Republi-
eau Subterfuge.
From our Washington Correspondent
Washington, Dec. II. Yesterday may
very truthfully be termed Delaware
Day" in the Congress OF the United
States. 1t started out carly in the
morning with n Delawarean and when
tho flag, which Aies over tho House
when that body is in session, was
lowered at O'Clock the name of a
Delawarean was on the lips of ALL Mr..
Willis contributed his share of in.
teresting events by introducing his
first bill asa Representative in the
House.
First of all, on this eventful day,
came the meeting of the committee on
privileges and elections, which by the
way was called and presided over by
Senator George Gray of, Delaware, to
consider the claim of Col du Pont
As has already been stated nothing of
interest transpiretl at the meeting, OK
cept that 1t was decided to allow Col
du Pont 10 days In which to answer
the evidence which will ho submitted
by Speaker Governor Watson. The
postponement of tho consideration of
this case until after the holidays meaus
that it will be about the middle Of
January before the committee makes a
report.
Congress will probably adjourn on
Monday, the 23d, and will not reas-
semble until January 9th. During this
period the brief and evidence to sup
port the action of Gov. Watson is to be
prepared, in order that it may be pre-
sented to the committee at the fret
meeting after the holidays. Then Col.
du Pont will have 10 days in which to
make his answer, so 1t is highly i'm
probable that the Senate will be called
upon to vote on this question of such
vital importance to the citizens of
Delaware before the first of February.
Senator Higgins, who is one Of
Col du Points counsel in the case, was
in the city to-day, but did not appear
before the committee.
In the House, Mr.. Willis was recog-
ni2ed by Speaker Reed, and introduced
bill to regulate tho pay of letter
carriers. After a number OF bills had
been introduced, the star event Of the
day came in the shape of resolution
by Mr.. Mccall OF Massachusetts,,
asking that the President be called
upon for report as to whether he had
taken any steps to recall or censure
Ambassador Bayard for his Edinburgh
speech. Mr.. Crisp objected, and Mr..
Barrett of Massachusetts created a
genuine surprise by rising to ques-
tion Of privilege and sending to the
chair resolution of impeachment Of
Mr.. Bayard. 1t was conceded by all
that Mr.. Barrett overstepped sound
Judgment when he began his resolution
ID the following sensational language I:
'T do impeach Thomas F. Bayard,
United States Minister to Great Britain
'oi high crimes and misdemeanors. :"
10 was startling Information for tine
House, when Mr.. Barrett designated
a speech by free born American citi-
zen as being thigh crime and mis-
demeanor. III such is the case there
are many members of the 54th Congress
who will be guilty of many crimes
and misdemeanors during this session.
1t was not the intention of Mr. Bar
rett to have The House consider his
preamble II do impeach, which was
only inserted in the resolution to make
it n privileged matter and so subject
10 debate. The resolution was referred
to the committee of forsign affairs for
investigation.
The impeachment part of the pro-
ceedings was flimsy subterfuge by
which Republican members of the
House were given an opportunity to
express their opinions on the tariff
question, Tho old saying that "it is
the truth that hurts may very aptly
be quoted in explaining the action Of
Mr.. Barrett and his colleagues. Mr..
Bayard, true Democrat and loyal
citizen, expresses his opinion of the
system of protection, and the Republi-
cans, having majority, attempt to
answer Mr.. Bayard'a sound arguments
by bringing that distinguished diplo-
mat into disreputs by so unjust
method as the Impeachment resolution
offered by Mr.. Barrett.