Newspaper Page Text
Swaiuiah 3ttoruiq Jlctrs.
HTAKMSHKD 18S0. )
J. n. EHTILL, Editor and Proprietor.]
EDMUNDS OPENS FIRE.
Mil. PUGH UNLIMBKKB HIS GUNS
XO REPLY.
The Vsrmonter’s Uefunie of bl> Claim
that the Senate hue a Kltbtto Urnunil
the freildent’i Reasons for Making
Removals—The Speech Full of Inter
est.
Washington, March 9.— ln the Senate
this afternoon at 2 o’clock other business
was cut off by the iinilnished busiuesa,
beiug the resolution reported by Mr. Kd
tnunds from tho Judiciary Committee
concerning the Duskiu controversy be
tween the Senate and President and At
torney General. As the resolutions were
read by the Chief Clerk the most absolute
silence prevailed on the floor and in the
galleries. The galleries were crowded,
many persons being compelled to stand.
This was notably true of the reseryed gal
leries, to which admission is only permit
ted by cards lrorn Senators. Many gen
tlemen and ladies were present, and,
though early, failed to find vacant seats.
Mr. Edmunds began his remarks in
rather a low tone, but his voice soon ac
quired its usual full, clear, ringing vo -
ume. Forty years bad elapsed since the
last controversy of this kind between the
legislative and executive branches of the
government had occurred, and it had then
been many years since a similar occasion
bad arisen.
REFUSALS NOT FREQUENT.
Instances In which there has been
evinced the slightest reluctance on the
part either of the Executive or the heads
of departments to respond to the calls of
either house of Congress or ol the com
mittees for papers in possession either of
the Executive or of the departments have
been very lew indeed. Mr. Edmunds
then caused to be read portions of the
statutes relating to the tenure of office,
recess suspensions and creating the De
partment of Justice and documents cov
ering the appointment and suspension of
Mr. Duskin and the nomination of his
successor, as well as the resolution of the
Senate calling for the papers in the case
and tne Attorney General’s reply.
“The question,” Mr. Edmunds said,
“was what was the nature of the romina
tion sent by the President to the Senate.
The President had not undertaken, in the
tace of the statute forbidding it, to remove
Mr. Duskin from office, butbad suspended
him. Mr. Duskin still reinaiued Attorney
of the United Stales for Alabama. He
stood in the attitude of a military oflicer
under arrest, as the President might place
the Lieutenant General of the army, Gen.
Sheridan, under arrest. That would not
take Gen. Sheridan out of the army.
NATURE OF THE ACT.
“The act of the President, therefore, was
not an attempt to remove Mr. Duskin,
but to withhold from him the right to per
form the functions of the office until the
judgment ot the Senate could be taken in
aoepeetofhis removal and ths appoint
ment of a successor. The President took
pains, as he should in his order of suspen
sion and in his order of designation to
state that both were subject to all the
laws applicable thereto and the sections
of the Revised Statutes forming part of the
law of 18H7 and 1869 declared In explicit
terms that this man should not be re
moved except by the advice and consent
of the Senate. When the nomination of
Mr. Burnett came to the Senate, there
fore, Mr. Duskin was Attorney of the
United States for Alabama, and the
proposition was that he should be re
moved by the appointment of the gentle
man selected as his successor if it should
meet the approval of the Senate.
THE SENA'IR A JURY,
“Therefore the Senate, if it were even a
jury and had to submit to the judgment ot
the President, as Judge, as to what evi
dence should be laid before it, connected
with the case and Us relevancy, it would
have been relevant (on the very issue
submitted by Judge to jury) to know what
was the conduct and management of that
office in the hands el the person whom the
President asked the Senate to assist him
in displacing bv anew appointment.
That question had arisen before—not be
tween the President and the Senate—but
in the Cabinet councils of the President.”
Mr. Edmunds hud the Clerk read a long
opinion of Attorney General A Herman,
dated Aug. 4, 1870, relating to the ease of
George H. Yeaman, commissioned Minis
ter to Copenhagen, in which Attorney
General Akermun, among other things,
says that the word “suspension.” when
applied to an office, never signified final
removal of an officer.
NOT IN AUKYANCE.
He also bad read an opinion of Attorney
General Devens, dated Oct. 4, 1877, in
which that officer, among other things,
says: “An office, the incumbent ot which
is only suspended, is iu no case placed in
abeyance.”
“It would be seen then,” Mr. Edmunds
continued, “that in spite of sundry mis
leading discussions in the public press,
and in spite of sundry inaccurate things
state.) in the message of the President of
tne United States to this body, and in
spite of the sundry Inaccurate views nt
the minority of the Committee on the Ju
diciary, as to what this case is that we
now have to consider—that as well by the
law, as it has been placed on the statute
books, by theaction or Uieaduiinistrations
tbai bad existed alter the law was passed,
and by the action ot the President ot tne
United States himself in obedience to it—
be has invited the Senate of the United
Stal'-s to agree w.th him in removing Mr.
Duskin from office by the appointment
and commissioning of his successor.
■§ THE OFFICIAL I’AI’KK*.
being so, the question was whetb
jH the official papers in the Department
bearing on tho administration
the officer we vvero asked to remove
•1: ild be sent to the Senate on its call.
|Hinre was but one answer to that.
Bic relevancy of the papers called for
Ijust be a matter for Ibe decision of the
Bnate and nobody, els,
|HMr. Edmunds uid not think the wartn
■l administration man would say mat
t* ting it year In and year out, decade in
ar and decade out, century in and century
■t, it was any part of the duty of tho
or the head ot any department
whether thcoffieisl mini ma-
B>n in the department, which was re
quired by either bouse of Congress, was
4o be furnished or withhold w-cordlng to
it opinion of the officer cal led on, that it
nld or would not be uselul to them in
Ir deliberations.
THE PATERS IN THIS CASK.
'ho papers called for in this case were
>e.rs filed in the department. “Filing”
s a technical term—a term of art in law
nd in the administration or the law the
title read to the Senate marie the \t
ney General, and not the Piesidont,
{Bp custodian of those papers, and that
lie should preserve them. The people
•who made the statute* had been laboring
nnder, perhaps, a delusion, but Mr. Kif
munds thought not; tlmt the papers t hat,
were In public department must ol
necessity bv public papers—official
papers—and certainly that would be
true In respect to “papers” tiled.
NATURE OF AN OFFICIAL PAPER.
Mr. Edmunds inquired “What is an
oflieial paper?” And asked the presiding
oflicer whether he ( Mr. Sherman) would
consider art “official” letter addressed to
him as “President pro tempore of the
Senate, relating to the measure pending
before the Senate?” “I take It,” said
Mr. Edmunds, “that there would be but
ono answer to that question. You would
hardly think it within the fitness of
things, I tako It, to carry it to your house,
or put it in your pocket, or put it in your
fireplace and destroy it. It is addressed
to you in your official character, and that
is what gives character to a paper of
whatever kind it is. whether official or
private.
SUSPENSION AN OFFICIAL ACT.
“As to the suspension of an officer, the
I’rosident and minority of the Judioiary
(Jonimittee said it was an act solely with
in the discretion of the President. So,
also, said the majority of the committee.
But was it not an official act? The slat,
utes said it was. Tne President said it
was, and ol course it was an official act.
Every paper, therefore, addressed to an
officer exercising that official function
upon that topic must be an official paper;
no matter how vile or false it may be. It
did not belong to any man, whether the
President or Attorney General, but to the
officer in his character as an officer.
NOT CALLED PRIVATE.
“The Attorney General gave no hint that
any part of the papers called for were
private or unofficial, or even confidential.
Public papers—official papers—were
called for, and such papers only were
spoken of in response. Did those papers
relate to the motives of the President in
suspending Mr. Duskin? Did anybody
suppose that the President or any ot his
friends had tiled a statement of his mo
tives? By no means. That would be ab
surd. The papers therefore stated facts,
on the statement of the Attorney General,
that they related exclusively to suspen
sion ; stated facts, or alleged facts, as to
the conduct of the officer suspended.
ALL BEAR ON THK SUBJECT.
“Sinee the Senate was called upon to as
sist the President in displacing this man
permanently, every paper existing there
relating to him on tue admission of the
Attorney General related to the conduct
of the office while in possession of Mr.
Duskin. But the papers weie refused be
cause they would not only give tacts, but
would enable us to understand the reasons
of the President for exercising his official
act. Tnerefore the proposition w as, that
the Senate being called on in the exercise
of its jurisdiction to judge of tbe official
conduct ot Mr. Duskin—the President
having already been called on, within his
jurisdiction, to pronounce judgment on a
similar question about the same man—the
Senate could not have the papers, because
if it did they would disclose the grounds
on which the President acted. “If that.”
said Mr. Edmunds, “Is not a proposition
which would stagger the credulity and
amaze the understanding of any intelli
gent man in a government ofiaw or In
a government of reason, 1 am quite
unable to comprehend what would be.
ALL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE.
All the operations of the government,
Mr. Edmunds continued,” were executive,
and bad it come to this, that because the
President was the chiet executive officer
ot the government. Congress could know
nothing as to tbe facts and circumstances
relatiug to the execution of the laws, be
cause, if they did, they might be able to
comprehend the motives or reasons of tbo
President in carrying out the laws. W ny,
such a statement was shocking. Yet that
was the logic of this whole thing.”
Mr. Edmunds continued that the At
torney General had said that “public in
terest” would not be subserved by send
ing the papers to the Senate. According
to this public interest would not be sub
served by telling the Senate, which was
asked to help remove an officer, what the
truth was lest the truth should disclose
to the Senate and possibly to the public
what tbe President’s reasons were in ex
ercising an official act.
TREMENDOUSLY SACRED.
“The reasons must be ’tremendously
sacred’ it tbe tacts were never to be re
vealed, lest the reasons also might be re
vealed. The jurisdiction of Congress was
infinitely broader than that of the Presi
dent- His was executive powers. Con
gress made the laws, and when
the constitution command* him to
give Congress information on ‘the
state of the Union,’ it says he
‘shall’ do it. That had reference to the
universal power of the knowledge of the
two houses of Congress in respect, to every
operation of tne government, and every
one of Its officers. ‘That is—tbe state of
the Union—the state of tbe Union is made
up ot every drop In the bucket—of tne
execution of every law, and the perform
ance of every officer under the law. There
was no one thing, no one subjected that
represented ‘the state of the Union.’
A CONDITION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
“It was a condition of tbe government
and every part of it, not only its legisla
tive parts—about which the President
could comiiiunica’e no intormatioa with
out impertinance, for the constitution had
declared that the two houses were to reg
ulate ibemselves—but be was to give Con
gress. and was positively commanded to
do so. from time to time information on
the state of the uniou, and it is because
Congress was entitled to have it every
time thev called lor it, and he violated
the positive command ol tbe constitution
when on a constitutional call in ths regu
lar way he omitted to do it.”
THK DEFICIENCY.
Referring incidentally to the fact that a
deficiency of SIBO,OOO in tbe Department
of Juatice lor the fees of jurors and wit
nesses was pending before the House, Mr.
Edmunds said “there must be added for
this current fiscal year ending June 30
next, covering a year of purely Demo
cratic control, n deficiency ot $185,000. U
the enso of Mr. Duskin was fairly Illus
trative of tbe circumstances of all the
District Attorneys and Marshals of tbe
United States—everything that Went to
make up tbo autonomy of tbe administra
tion of Justice—then we have drawn In
tbe question, wbat has become of tbe
money that was appropriated at tho regu
lar session to carry on the administration
ol justice through the Department of Jus
tice in tbe I'nip'll States?
DUSKIN INVOLVED.
“Mr.Duskin was one of the persons who
were <to draw upon that fund. In that
dial riot be was the very person whose
agency mme than that of any other
would he more economical or an extrava
gant, just or an unjust, expenditure ol
public money. Could we not know nnv
thing about it? Take tbe other 6or7U
districts in the United States. If It were
denied tons a*to Mr. Duskin it must be
deuled at to Mr. Dorshelmer, and as to
Mr. Henry, Marshal of Vermont, and
every other Marshal and every other Dis
trict Attorney. What then were we to do?
the raiNCiruc involved,
“If we bad passed this resolution while
we were iLcting In a legislative way—a*
if there were aay difference in the power*
of the Senate whether sitting with ooen
SAVANNAH. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880.
or with olosed doors—if we had sent pre
cisely this resolution and applied it to all
the districts in the United Slates, if the
Attorney General and the President were
right now, they would t>e right then, in
saying, ‘No, we can give yon no informa
tion, because if we do you" may be able to
know the reasons why so many of these
Marshals and District Attorneys have
been suspended, and that Is purely within
the province of the President of the United
States.’
THE MESSAGE.
“That was the logic of ourgood friends,
the minority of committee, and their good
friend and ally, the President of the
United States, who, with a courage cer
tainly unique, had interjected his supple
mentary report to the report of the minor
ity cf the committee before the Senate
had even considered it. Was it possible
to carry on the government In that way ?”
He (Mr. Edmunds) thought not.
“There was about titty years
ago, a very celebrated Senator from
a Southern State, who on a similar occa
sion in an executive session concerning
the Pauania Mission, Mr. Hayne, of South
Carolina, discussing a resolution which
it was proposed tbe Senate should adopt
for the purpose of getting possession of
all the facts relating to an assembly of a
Congress of the Houth American and
Central American States, and the United
States.
NOT ACTING ON FAITH.
“Some very zealous frieuds of the Presi
dent, apparently opposing the resolution,
said: ‘However the gentlemen may be
enamored of this new doctrine of confi
dence in rulers, it is not ground, I appre
hend, on wnich the Senate ought to act in
fulfilling their constitutional duty ot
giving advice to the President.
If we are to act by faith,
and not by knowledge, wc have
no business to be here?” He (Mr. Ed
munds) thought so too. The knowledge
was denied, and if tbe SenateNkcted in tbe
direction that the Attorney General and
President desired it to act in putting
through these 643 or 650 removals and ap
pointments by faith and not by knowledge,
then he agreed with Senator Hayne that
we have no business to be here.”
PREVIOUS to 1867.
He would say in fairness to the gentle
men on the other side, the minority, as
they say in their report that there had
been no instances of calling for papers in
such a case as this that had been obeyed
until 1867, that it was true, because until
1867 there was no statute authorizing the
President to suspend any official at all. It
was therefore to him a perfectly easy and
safe proposition that until 1867 no case of
a call for papers had appeared In which
the President, or head of the Department,
had acceded to the demand.
CALLS FOR REASONS.
Perhaps tbe minority had simply meant
to say the Senate had never with success
called on the President for his reasons for
a removal. In 1885 President Jackson
removed a Surveyor Geaeral, a man
named Wirtz. as he had a lawful right to
do. He had not suspended him. Toere
was no law fur ..nspensioos. Hs appoint
ed to till the vacancy a man named Wil
liamson. The Senate called on the Presi
dent for papers and information regard
ing the removal ot W irtz. Tbe
President replied in a characteristic
message, saying in substance that that
was one ef the nntnerous calls made on
him by the Senate which he had hitherto
complied with, but he was going to stop
now that be had removed Wirtz, as he
had a right to do, and the reason was
none of tho Senate’s business.
WILLIAMSON REJECTED.
The Senate the next day without di
vision rejected Williamson, although in
tbe very message In which the President
said he would not tell anything about
wbat Wirtz bad keen doing, he took par
ticular pains to say that Williamson was
one oi the best qualified and most valua
ble personages be had ever known. That
was the end of the affair between Presi
dent Jackson and the Senate on tbe
subject or papers about appointments.
Tbe minority of the committee bad
said truly that no such spectacle as
this bad ever been witnessed during tbe
time the Democrats bad control of the
Senate from 1879 to 1881, and the President
in bis supplementary minority report to
the deliberations of tbe Senate had stated
with fulness of rhetoric, which was as
churning as it was unique, that these
statutes of the United States and the
practice under them bad now for many
years fallen into a state ot “innocuous
desuetude.”
THE PRESIDENT'S DUTY.
If that were true it ought to be one of
tbe missions of tbd President in discharg
ing the duty that the constitution Imputes
to him to take that statute of disuse (if be
might use s shorter and humbler phrase),
and as he was sworn to do put it into
faithful execution. Tne minority of tbe
committee said that no such spectacle as
the Judiciary Committee was now pre
senting to an astonished world asd
to an astonished and injured Presi
dent and Attorney General had been
presented in Democratic times. “Let us
see.” said Mr. Edmunds. “On March 4,
1879, tbe Democrats bad a majority of this
body. Their Commttteeou Judiciary was
Messrs. Thurman Chairman, McDonald,
Bayard, Garland, Lamar, Davis, Ed
munds, Conkling and Carpeuter.”
READING THE LETTER.
Referring to the committee’s letter
book, Mr. Edmunds said; “1 do not know
but that it is ‘private and confidential,’
but I will take tn liberty of raading it
[laughter!, even If it gsts to tbe ears oi
tue Attorney General and tbe President
of the United States.” Mr. Edmunds
then read a oopy of the letter from Mr.
Thurman, as chairman ot tbe committee,
to the Attorney General dated March 24,
1879, calling for “such information as may
be in possession of ynur department con
cerning the following nominations, to
gether with any suggestion you may be
pleased to note.”
A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR.
“On the 7tb oi April,” continued Mr.
Edmund*, “there osme in a horse ol a dif
ferent color -the same kind of an animal
that w bavs here now. [Laughter.] Ac
cordingly on that day this letter was writ
ten to the Attorney General:
•“Til t/m Attorney tienertel of the Vhi ted State*:
“*Bi a—Uniter direction of ths JudioaryCom
mtllee of ths Senate, I have tbe honor to re
ou*t that you will communicate )o the com
mittee stiy papers or inrorinatton in your
possession touching the question of tbe pro
priety of th remnvit (emphasis by Mr. Ed
munds i of Michael hh.flVr, chief Ju-tuw of
the Supreme Court of the Terrilorj of Utah,
amt tne appointment of David T. Corbin lo
< nice. Very respectfully, vour obcUlent ser
vant, ALLAN G. Thcrran. Chairman.'
A VEIN OK HUMOR.
“Ala* (for the Democracy ofthoa# days.
[Laughter.] Think, Mr. President, ot the
influlte idiocy, unpatrlotiara and usurpa
tion of that number ot five Senators of
tbe Unlied States, of the Democratic par
ty, assailing a Republican Attorney Gen
eral and a Republican President with an
insulting and impertinent Inquiry aa to
paper* and information touching a sus
pended officer whose successor was nomi
nated to accomplish bis removal! And
yot those men were in their day
in loose times among tbe headlights of
the Democratic locomotive. I Laughter.]
There was Mr. Thurman; his light is put ;
out. [Renewed laughter.] Tue greatest
Democrat in the United States [applause I
in tbs galleries], and the best one and
noblest one and bravest one, for he bad
tho courage not long ago In vour State,
sir, to denounce the Democratic frauds at
the ballot.
“JOE” M’DONALD.
"There was Mr. Thurman and there was
‘J<>e’ McDonald, a name familiar in the
West as in tbe East as the embodiment of
upright Democratic pluck and constitu
tional law, and there was Mr. Garland,
whom we all knew here, a leader on the
Democratic side of the Senate,
full and runuing over wltn con
stitutional and statute and reported
law, knowing bis rights ns a Sen
ator and as a member of tbe committee,
amt knowing his duties, and Mr. Lamar
and then all the rest of us on this side
joining in what the present President of
the United States calls an impertinent in
novation of bis rignts in askiiig for
papers.
“Mr. President, it 1 were going to be
rhetorical, 1 should say just there: ‘Oh,
shame, where is thy blush?’ but that was
not the only instance.
OTHER LIKE REQUESTS.
“The same chair on many occasions had
called for that same class of information,
and got it.”
in conclusion, it did not seem to Mr.
Edmunds that the Senateeould lail to get
the papers on the ground that tbe statute
on the subject had become absolete or
gone into a state of innocuous desue
tude. [Laughter.] The President him
self had sent to the Senate 643 instances
of obedience to that law; 643 nominations
made under it, and Mr. Edmunds, there
fore. took It that the law was still in
force,
Mr. Edmunds spoke until after 4 o’clock.
Mr. Pugh rose to reply but yielded to a
motion to go into executive session, say
ing he was prepared to speak now, but if
he began he would detain the Senate until
long after the usual hour of adjournment.
At 4:27 o’clock the Senate went into exe
cutive session, and at 5 o’clock adjourned.
EDMUNDS AS AN ORATOR,
Ilsrd Study or His Subject the Secret of
His Success.
Washh(gton, March 9.—An audience
as large as that which was on yesterday
put off with Mr. Bowen’s silver speech sat
patiently in the galleries of the Senate to
day from 12 o’clock until 2, waiting lor
the much-talked-of speech by Mr. Ed
munds. It was well worth waiting for.
Mr. Edmunds never spoke bettgr, and
never made a more plausible argument.
No traces of his cold of yesterday ap
peared in the tonos of bis voice, as be
quietly rose, after bis resolutions had been
read by the clerk, and began to speak in
a very "deliberate way.
ALL PRESENT.
All ths Democratic Senators, with
a few exceptions, and almost
all tbe Republican Senators were
in their seats. All were iisteniag in
tently. Mr. Ingalls.of Kansas,seemed to
be reading a newspaper, but be was lis
tening as closely as the rest. Mr. Logan
was in his seat "just beside Mr. Edmunds,
and Mr. Hoar was in bis seat just behind
him. Once or twice Mr. Hoar made a
suggestion to Mr. Edmunds, of which he
availed himself, and once Mr. Logan made
him laugh with some whispered comment
on Andrew Jackson’s motives in the
Williamson case. No one spoke on tbe
Democratic side except Mr. Beck, who
made one or two contemptuous remarks
sotto voce to those around him about por
tions of the argument which he thought
weak.
THE HOUSE REPRESENTED.
Members of tbe House came over in
twos and threes, occupied all the chairs
and sofas in the Senate, and stood up
againsbthe wall until ruffled old lsaau
Bassett could get chairs for them from
the cloak rooms. The audience was
almost weary of the dry statement and
official papers which Mr. Edmunds bad
the clerk read for him in tbe outset. When
Mr. Edmunds, having presented tbe docu
ments in the case, actually began bis ar
gument, his audience fully appreciated
all his good points. His speeches are
easily followed.
A MAKYKK OF SNUERING SARCASM.
He is a muster of sneering sarcasm. He
knows bow to ring tbe changes on a
phrase. He alluded frequently to tbe
President’s message as “the supplement
to tbe minority report of tbe Judiciary
Committee.” He referred again and agaio
to tbe President as “tbe coadjutor of the
minority,” and be pronounced tbe words
“Innocuous desuetude” so ludicrously
that everybody bad to laugh. He was
applauded once. The applause was
not for him or his argument, but
for bis incidental allusion to Mr.
Thurman as the best of Democrats; the
noblest, truest and bravest. Mr. Kd
munds spoke with great ease, and was
apparently as treeb at 4:HO as be bad b ten
at 2. He preserved an apparent calmness
during most of bis argument, but at times
became excited and at otber tunes spoke
with much bitterness.
EDMUNDS’ HARD STUDY,
He has devoted tbe last few weeks to a
thorough study of tbe subject, lie has
consulted every book, looked up every
authority and examined every case or
precedent which In any way could throw
additional light upon the subject of dis
pute between the President anil the Sen
ate This Is characteristic of Mr. Kd
nitinds. lis does not take an active part
in general debate; but when be does
be abowsat once bis familiarity witb tbe
subject under discussion by the short, in
cisive manner in wbieb be elucidates
point after point, separates tbe relevant
from tbe irrelevant anil quickly reaches
the merits el the issue. It is this which
makes Mr. Kdmusds an effective speaker.
While others employ til tbe known arts
Of oratory be is content with stating bis
case in a business-like, matter-of-fact
way. Hla voice is rarely raised above t in
ordinary conversational tone. He never
gesticulates. Witb one nand in his
nocket, tbe otber resting on Ihe desk
before him, he fa quite as effective, and
Indeed a great deal inure so, tnsn some
Senators wbo saw tbe air, pound tbetr
desks and strut up and down tbo uisloa
of tbe Cbamher. Yet, with all the
outward signs of composure and
indifference to bis surroundings,
there is at ttmea in the Ver
mont Senator an Incredible amount
of irascibility and passion. In exeoutfve
sessions especially. It Is said, be plsoes
himself under obligations to bis brother
Senators for their forbearance. He
baa a way of dropping bitter and oaustlc
remarks In a manner that goads bis ene
mies to despair and seems to afford bun
muob tbe same amusement that a hoy de
rives from torturing a wbslp. For a man
of bis experience in a legislative body b
displays a strange impatience of contra
diction. He laiacapHbleol believing that
any qualities reside in blm which are not
gr^At.
mr. pvqh’h nmrLY.
To-morrow Mr. Pugb, or Alabama, who
nreseated tbe minority reuurt. will an.
• wer Mr. Edmunds, and then the debate
will become general. Tbe Republicans
will have the advantage in the debate for
their leaders are superior as debaters to
those on the Demooratio side. It is doubt
ful whether tbe Republicans will all in
dorse the very broad claim of jurisdiction
made by Mr. Edmuuds for the Senate
which would give it power to review and
puss upon every act of the Exeoutlve.
Mr. Edmunds has broadened his claim
sinoe he wrote his report.
VEST AND THE TELEPHONES.
An Opportunity to b Given tbe Senator
to Explain.
Washington, March 9.—The select
committee of the House charged with the
telephone investigation held a meeting
for organization this afternoon in the
Speaker’s room. All the members were
present. The general sentiment of the
committee was that the examinations of
witnesses should lie public. If a suitable
room can lie secured In time the investi
gation proper will begin next Friday
morning at 10 o’clock with the ex
amination of tbe Rogers family
and Casey Young, and subpunns
have been issued to secure their attend
ance. Meanwhile tbe sub-committee,
consisting of Messrs. Hale and Millard,
will proceed to take the deposition of
Benator Vest, who has requested that ho
be afforded an opportunity to explain bis
connection with the issue ol Pan Electric
stock.
CONVICT LABOR.
The flout* Pusses a Kill Prohibiting It*
K mploy luent.
Washington, March 9.—ln the House
to-day Mr. Jamea, ot New York, called up
the bill to prohibit any officer, servant or
agent of the government to hire or con
tract out the labor of prisoners incarcer
ated for violating the laws of the United
States government. Mr. James said that
the bill was In the Interest of honest me
chanics. The system which prevailed at
some of the penitentiaries of the country
of hiring out convict labor bad worked
great hardship and injustice to the honest
mechanic. In his own district a great in
dusiry— the manufacture of hats—had
been entirely crushed out because it could
not compete with convict labor. The bill
was passed by a vote of 249 veas to 8 nays.
WHITE HOUSE GAVETIKB.
The Closing Reception One of the Most
Brilliant of the Season
Washington, March 9.—The closing
reception at the White House to-night,
given in honor of Congress, and to which
the judiciary, army and navy and diplo
matic corps were invited, was the most
largely attended of the season, and in the
magnlfioence of the costumes and jewels
worn by the ladies eclipsed any of its
predecessors. The President was assist
ed in reeeiving by Miss Cleveland, Mrs.
Manning, Mrs. Kndicott, Mrs. Whitney
and Mrs. Vilas. Secretaries Maiming,
Whitney and Lamar, and Postmaster
General Vilas were present. The Judi
ciary, diplomatic oorps, army and navy
and Congress were ail well represented.
SANTEE HICK FIELDS.
The Erection of a S'.'UO Dam SufflcJent
to Protect tbe Planters.
Washington, March 9.— The Secre
tary of War to-day transmitted to the
House a report from tbe engineer officer
in charge in regard to tbe damage to the
rice fields adjoining the Mantes river of
South Carolina caused by dredging its
outlet to Winyah buoy through Mosquito
creek. Tbe engineer believes that the
only damage done to the rice fields, or
which may result, is due to the suspen
sion of operations by the planters through
fear ol damage. He says it is possible to
damage tbe fields to tbe extent of from
$60,000 to fioo.oiK) a year, and asks that a
cofferdam dyke be constructed at an ex
pense of S2OO to protect the rice growers.
NORFOLK’S NAVV YARD.
Mr. Kontell* Anxious to Speak os the
rominDdßla Rppljr.
Washington, March 9.—The Speaker
laid before tbe House to-day tbe response
of the Secretary of the Navy to tho Bou
telle resolution calling for information in
regard to the Norfolk navy yard. Mr.
Buutelle asked unanimous consent that
the document lie ordered printed and laid
upon the table in order that he might at
some future time submit some remarks
upon it. He believed that the substantial
allegations made ill the resolution were
sustained by the document. .Messrs.
B acb,of New York, and Eden, of Illinois,
objected to the request, and tbe com
munication wa* referred to the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs.
Indian Appropriations.
Washington, March 9.—The House
to-day went into committee of tbe whole
on the Indian appropriation bill. Mr.
Wellborn, of Texas, briefly ran over tbe
appropriations made by the bill and com
pared them with those made tor tbe cur
rent year, summing up with a statement
that tbe pending bill carried $6,602,502 as
against. $5,777,461 appropriated for the
current year. Pending discussion of tbe
bill the committee rose and the House ad
journed.
Confirmed !y Hie Senat e.
Washington, March 9. —The Henale
on March 3 confirm' and the nominations of
Jacob T. Childs, of Missouri, to be Minis
ter and Consul General to 81am, and J.
D. Komi itv, ol Houth Carolina, to be
Consul General to Shanghai. The follow
ing Postmasters were confirmed to-dav:
J, W. Rcnlroe, at Atlanta, Ua., aud W.
C. Davis, at Kllzm etb City, N. O.
Mexican War Veteraus.
Washington. March 9.—ln the house
to-day Mr. Kldrldge, from tbe Committee
on Pensions, reported tbe hill granting
pension* to soldiers and sailor* of the
Mexican war. it was referred to the
committee of the whole.
Pacific l(allroa<l Lauds.
Washington, March 9.—ln tbe morn
ing hour to-day tbe House passed tbe bill
requiring Pacific railroad* to pay tbe cost
ef surveying their land* and to take out
patents thereto on behalf of the Commit
tee on Labor.
The Deficiency Rill.
Washington, March 9.—ln tbe Senate
to-day Mr. Allison, from tbe Appropria
tions Committee, reported, with amend
ments. tbe urgency deficiency bill. It
was placed on the calendar, Mr. Allteou
saying he would call it up to-morrow.
Prussia aud the Vatican.
Berlin, March 9,—Another stage ha*
been reached la tho reconciliation be
tween tbe churoh and Mate in tbe ap
pointment ef a hiahop to the long vacant
see of Ermelaud.
REX AT NEW ORLEANS.
Same or the Historical luctdents Illns
trited bf the Float*.
New Orleans, March 9.—The weather
during this morning was cloudy and
threatening rain, and tho movement of
tho royal pageant was delayod until noon,
when the procession appeared near Lee
Circle, moving In the following order: A
platoon of tbe Household Troops muont
ed, Boeuf Gras and attendants, trum
peters and standard bearers, bis most
sublime majesty Hex, King of the Car
nival, the carnival court and twenty
moving tableaux divided into two divi
sions. The first division illustrated the
victory of the Emperor Aurelian over
Zeno hi a. Queen of Palmyra, and his tri
umph on his return. The first car in the
procession was laden with gold and
treasures from Asia.
INDIAN RICHES.
The second oar was freighted with In
dian riches. Next came the plate and
ward 11)00 of Queen Zenobia, followed by
a-oar laden with spoils from Palmyra.
Theu came a number of cars containing
magnificent tableaux. The filth oar con
tained the Ambassadors and slaves. The
sixth car contained Zenobia, Queen of
Palmyra, followed by Roman musicians
and standard bearers; tho seventh, Em
peror Aurelian; the eighth, Probus, Anre
lian’s favorite general; tho ninth, the
noMe ladies of Rome; the tenth, tho
Genius of Peace. Then came the second
division of historical scenes, tbe Goddess
of Peace having terminated the scenes of
the Roman triumph. The second part of
tbe pageant consisted of eleven tableaux,
each ono being a striking scene irom
seine epoch in history.
THE CHRISTIAN* MARTYRS,
Car No. 2 in the second division con
tained a tableau of the Christian martyrs.
It represented a scene in the arena at the
time when Christians, irrespective of age,
sex or social condition, were thrown to
wild beasts to be devoured. Car No. 12
exhibited Octavius’ triumph, the 13th
Constantine professing Christianity, the
14th Atttlla at Ravenau, the 15th the
French dynasty, the 16th Abd Kr Rah
man, the great and illustrious Moorish
ruler, the 17th Peter the Hermit, preach
ing the first crusnde, the 18th Frederick
Barbaras**, tbe 19th Timur, tbe Tartar,
the 20th Columbus at tbe court of Spain,
the 21st Luther at tbe Diet of Worms.
THE ORDER OF IHE MOON.
Following came the Order of the Moon
In twelve floats, representing In burlesque
style occurences and customs character
istiool each month of tbe year. Tbe sub
ject was oalled “Twelve Months’ Ra
tions,” andevery tableau was represented
with the broken shell of an egg. supposed
to be a half-consumed ration. The weath
er cleared off about 1 o’clock, and the re
mainder of the day was pleasant. The
route of the procession was lined with
thousands of spectators.
CHURCH DiMKftTAHUMRMKNT.
A Vote Which Indicates the Feeling ef
the House of Commous.
London, March 9.—ln tbe House of
Commons this evening Mr. Dilwyn
(Liberal) moved to disestablish tho
church of Wales.
Mr. Grev ( Liberal) moved to reform in
stead of to disestablish the chtirob.
Sir Wni. iiurcourt, Chancellor ol the
Exchequer, contended that the questions
of the disestablishment of the Welch and
English churches were involved and in
separable.
Mr. Grey’s amendment was adopted by
a vote ot 241 to 229, and then as a substi
tute for Mr. Dilwyn’s motion It was re
jected by a rote of 346 to 49. In tbe first
division the minority consisted ot tbe
Liberals and Parnellites. In the second
division the Parnellites left tbe House in
a body. Premier Gladstone, Mr. Cham
berlain, Mr. Worley and Mr. Trevelyn ab
slalued from voting altogether.
LONDON’S LATEST SCANDAL.
Arrest of • Wealthy Procuress Gives
Rise to Ugly Rumors.
London, March 9.— Louisa Hart, a rich
procuress of the West End, was to-day
committed for trial on a charge of pro
viding young girls for a number of aristo
oratic patrons. The woman’s business
had grown so bold and offensive
that tbe polloe felt constrained
to suppress it, but despite
their best efforts they were unable until
recently to eecure evidence that would
convict. The arrest of Mrs. Ilart has
caused a sensation in certain circles, and
gossip bundles aliout many names of titled
debauchees as likely to be identified with
tbe business by which the woman has
grown rich.
GREECE BELLICOSE.
Tbe Powers Threaten to Leave the Infaut
to be Spanked hr T urkey.
Vienna, Marohfl.—The continued war
preparations in Greece are exerting grave
fears in the Kuropean cabinets. It Is be
lieved that tbe moral effect of the assem
bling of the foreign fleets in Suda bay
will not be sufficient to coerce Greece,
and that further measures will be neces
sary. Greece has been warned that if
she persists In her intention ol vio
lating tbe peace she will be left
to suffer punishment at tbe hands of Tur
key. Greece reasserts her claim* to Epirus
In accordance with thetermsof tne Berlin
treaty, and declares that hitherto she has
only yielded to foroe mujeture.
England's Merchant Marine.
London, March 9.— There is a manifest
improvement in the condition of tbe Brit
ish merchant marine. The Improvement
is especially noticeable in the revival of
the shipping trade of the Tyne, sixteen
steamer* which have long lain In Idleness
on this river have just been chartered for
carrying purposes In the English trade.
The ship* have engaged British seamen
principally, and In no case at reduced
wages.
Hocialista of Amsterdam.
Amstkkdam,Marcb o.—Three thousand
Socialists end unemployed workingmen
to-day bold a public meeting here to oon
elder tbeir grievances. The meeting depu
ted a com in it tee to call on tbe Mayor and
present tbrougb blm a demand on tbeclty
for tbe construction of public works In
order to give employment.
Anarchy In Annam.
LONDON. March o.—Advices Irom An
nain state (bat anarchy prevails In tbat
country, that hands of robbers are scour
ing tbe lend, tbat the people are in revolt
against French authority, and that tbe
rebels have attached tbe French near
Hue, the capital, and killed several of
them.
Ulimarck's Muscular Uliouiuatlam.
Hkri.in, March 9.—Prince Bismarck,
who baa been suffering for several days
from muscular rheumatism in the shoul
ders and cheat, la much worse to-dav
j PRTCrgIOA YKAK.I
i 5 CUNTS AOOFY. \
TELEGRAPH MONOPOLIES.
MR. ANDERSON'S RESOLUTION
Ul* IN COMMITTEE.
The Gentleman Explains his Ohjnrt la
Presenting the Resolution—Land*
Grant Koada Charged with Co-opera
ting with Western Uuion to the Exclu
sion of Other Cotupsnles.
Washington, March 9.—There was a
full attendance at tbe meeting of the
House Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads this morning, called to begin
the investigation ordered by the House of
certain matters embodied in Hie resolu
tion of Mr. Anderson, of Kansas, as foU
lows:
That Ihe Committee on Post Offlrc* and
I’oxt itoadii m hereby empowered to liwertain
whether addition,! le-'ltlatlon Is needed to
pro)sut iu mopob of telegraph facilities and
rerun) to the southern, Wesiern aud Pacltio
Stairs the iwnulll* of competition between
telegraph eompanics and to protect the peo
ple of the United Siates against unreasonable
charges tor telegraphic service.
MR. ANDERSON EXPLAINS HIS OBJECT.
Mr. Anderson was present and ad
dressed the committee bristly m explana
tion ol bis purpose iu offuriug the resolu
tion. He said:
My general reason was an organic opposi
tion 111 monopoly of an? rort, but epenttoallS
in thin iuatanoe, tils motive waa to lie found
in the state of a flu ira existing between this
Mooourl river and Pacific ocean region, com
prising one-half nr two-thirds the area of the
United -‘tales. The state he hail the honor In
part to represent {Kansas) was part of thi*
region, anil together with the remaining
seven State* aud organized Territories wn<
interested in the matter of cheap telegraphy.
It was also vitally interested In preventing
such a monopoly of telegraphing as wood
deprive Its people and press of the advantage
and safeguard of Competitive facilities for
obtaining news.
DUTY OF LAND GRANT RAILROADS.
It would be shown u> ihe committee that iq
the charters of all of the laud grant railroads
they are required to operate their toiegrupb
lines precisely as they operate their rails;
next, that they have illegally, but sulwtantl
ally tran-b rn and tbuir telegraph franchises tu
the Western Until# Company; ooiissqflently
when a rival telegraph company readies the
eastern terminus of ono of ibese roads mrle-d
of receiving from that company without dis
crimination its business they refuse to do, of
at least subntauUsUy refuse to comply will*
this obligation in their charters.
WESTERN union’s monopoly.
In other words tbe Weetorn Uniou, so fa*
as that whole area is c >uccrnrd. now having
a population of H.oOJ.t'M people, ha- practi
cally a monopoly, and It l* carrying ft to surh
an extent ss to show a tendency to claim, in
addition to tho ri cognized rigid of a common
carrier, the right also to gather and sell tha
new* of the day on us own account. If the
committee, would Inquire into this branch ot
the subject it wotud find that tlisnollection
and sa e of election news and such important
matters as the President's mes-age are sought
to lie monopolized by the We Peril Union Com
pany in some instances, and mat bare-faced
attempt* liaii been made by tbe Western
Union Company to Coerce uew-papert inti
n skmg exclusive contracts to transact sit
tludr busiutHw by it* wire*.
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
The committee would sec at once bow
such attempts and assumption* threatens!
the lib Tty of tbe pres* in the region which
was subjected to this monopoly, ft is be
came of that fact, and because of oile r mat
ter* upon which he would ask to be heard at,
a later date Uiat he bud introduced this ruso
oluiion.
I). H. Bates, President of Che Baltimore
and Ohio Telegraph Company, was then
sworn and examined. He gave a history
of the efforts of his company to penetrate
with Its wires the lerrito y describ- and by
Mr. Anderson, anil Its failure through
what be described as co-operation be
tween tbe Pacific railroad* and the West
ern Union company. Mr. Bates also
offered some suggestions in the way oC
remedial legislation.
BROKER CAMMACK WEDDED
His Bride a Pretty Brunette—The Biala
Dill’s Chance*
Washington, Marob 9.—Addison Cam*
mack, the New York broaer, vu quietly
married this afternoon at 3 o’clock to Mi*
Gertrude Hildreth at tbe residence ot tha
bride'* mother in this city by Rev. Dr. W.
A. latouard, pastor of Ht. John’s Kpiseo
palcburcb. Only Him Immediate relative#
were preseat. I.• bride and groom l*fh
for a trip Houth to-night. They made every
effort to keep the news of tne wedding;
secret, but It leaked out. Miss Hildreth ia
tbe young lady to whom Mr. Camtnack
has been paying attention for a year or
more. Her mother live* comlortably at
the corner of Fourteenth and L streets.
Her father is in Kurope. They did not gw
Into society to any considerable extent.
Miss Hildreth Is 20 years old and a hand*
some brunette.
MR. CRISP’S SUCCESS.
Representative Crisp gut through tha
Houselo-tlav iu fine style the bill reported
by him from the Committee on I’acitiw
Railroads requiring land grant railroad#
to take out paieuls tor tneir lands and to
flay lor the survey of their lands. Tha
utter provision will yield the government
about $1,000,060, and the former provision
will subject the lands to taxation and
open them more quickly to settlement.
THE BLAIR BILL.
Representative Willis, of the HouMi
Committee on Education, thinks that
seven members of that committee are op*
posed to the Blair educational bill, to (our
members who taror It, but he think* that
the majority will not attempt to smother
tbe bill in committee, but will report it to
tbe House and leave with the House the
responsibility of deciding its (ate. It I*
believed by Henator Blair that the bill
will command a majority in tbe House.
inventions of southerners.
The following patents have been issued:
John M. Burkert, of Atlanta, Ua., sash
fastening device; James M. Johns, of
Glenmore, Ga., automatic fan; Robert B.
Morrison, of Gakdale, brick kiln; Gsorge
D. Barr, of Greenville, 8. C., blotting pad,
rule and paper cutter.
MUKDKKB His OWN PEOPLE.
Terrible Quadruple Hatchery by a Bay
of 1 7 In Kansas.
Kanhah City, Mo., March 9. A dis
patch Irom Osage City, Kan., says: J.
W. bells and wife, their son Walter, aged
lb, and their daughter Inn, aged 14, were
murdered some time Sunday night or early
Monday morning, and there is hardly a
doubt that the murderer Is William Sells,
aged 17, son and brother of the murdered
people. This boy gave the alarm to
a neighbor early on Monday morning and
said tbe family bad been attacked by two
strangers, whom ue describes. Suspicion
whs directed to tbe boy from bis heartless
mariner, and bia underclothiog was found
to be saturated with blood, and he bore
evidences of having attempted to remove
tbe stains. The murders were committed
with a liatebet and buteber knife while
tbe victims slept. They were all dread
fully mangled. Plenty of money ami
portable valuables were found in the
house, and nothing had been disturbed.
lad el one Honor.
London. March 9.—Premier Gladstone
is taper ted belter to-day.