Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-17
a VOTER OF MIDDLEsEx.
LETTERS FROM WASHINGTON.

a VOTER OF MlDDLEsEx.
LETTERS FROM WASHINGTON
"WAsHlscroy CRY, Feb. IA, 1888.
"Ihe House of Representatives, during the last two
Gays, nave gone through another scene, which shows
the desperate that the Federal party are will
ing to resort TO- Yesterday morning, the Hon. Henry
a. Wise arose in lis place, and offered resolution ask
ing for another investigating committee to enquire into
coruptlons ALLEGED 10 have been praclised by member
OF Congress The apology for this resolution vas the
publication in the Courier g. Enquirer (of New York;
Of letter over the signature OF 'he Spy in Washing
lon in which 1t is stated, hatone member of Congress,
Mt least has offered 10 barter his services and influence
with Department. for compensation. The subject has
called forth much warm discussion, in which hlessrs.
Wise, Bynum, LOOMS, Haynes and Underwood took
part Various amendments we're offered and discussed
at great length until late hour when The House ad-
iourned, without any decision the subject.
"lhis morning the subject again resumed by the
House, when the amendment offered Ivy MIR. Looms,
a. amended by MIR. Rives on yesterday, underwent
lengthy and animated discussion in which hlcsss Eos.
ter, Wise, Dynum, Thomas, Underwood and Thomp-
participated, and eventually passed; whercupon Mr.
Mathew L. Davis was summoned before The Bar of the
House, The supposed author Of the letter signed The
Spy in Washington, 10 testify what lie knew respecting
the of the member implicated. or if he
Der of the House of Representatives, if he the
author of said letter. Mr. Davis did not refuse 10 an
swcr, but politely requested The House allow him 10
state his reasons why he should not be Intercepted in
The manner proposed The Speaker appealed 10 the
atcd anaer hour two Of discussion between Messrs
Foster, Thompson, Eynum, and Wise, and was then de-
cided by yeas and nays in the affirmative.
"Mr. Davis again placed al the Bar, where he
made hourishing speech, denying lha right Of the
House 10 ask him whether he the real Simnn Pure
or The Speaker then propoundcd The first inter-
rogatory. Whether he knew Of such corruption with
any member Of Congress, rs the publication alluded 10
menlloned:' lie answered, he did 81 DO you know
The Member of Congress alluded To in said publication
by name: Answer, i do Third inlcrrogaory. is the
Member of Congress alluded 10, member Of the House
OF Representatives,: Answer, No, he is not Mr.
DAVIS was discharged from further attendance and the
House adjourned, adherng 10 the parliamentary rule
'tha, the members Of House have right 10 inter.
ftre with the affairs of Members of the other House
'Yu, will readily the object Of all this. Mr. Wise
wanted anulIer investigating committee 10 affnrd him
an opportunity Of abusing the 7dmnlsration-lle really
seemed 10 he in his element by the manner in which
lie sa wed the air. brawled the House into confusion and
abused Tie Observation-Disclosures he is disappointed this
time. ard will not have the pleasure Of gong through
another campaign Commander in Chief in Com
mllre Ruom.-iis it is plainly dcs grated That the
accused UcmEcr of Congress is Member Of the Senate
(a Of which doubtless known by the Of the
first resoulion,) that body will doubtless take up the
subject 10 morrow, with view 20 purge their n%n body
OF foul Member. IT'S IN be hoped, if there be any truth
in the accusation, lha, they will follow the Scripture
precep,-lf one member ot!ends, cast him away.
MIR. Matthew l.. Davis is the Spy in Washington
and also the correspondent Of the Courier Il Enquirer,
edited by James Watson Webb, Esq. lis not unrea.
sonabe 10 suppose (and you need not be surprised
find so) that the principal object Of all The noise 10 be
made about This affair." is to try {wha, the public
will admiD 10 make Mr. Webb and Mr.. Davis great men
in the opinion of the people.
'Query-WI not the whole affair turn out as i, did
with thr d in shaving the pig-great cry and little
WAsH,sGroS, Feb l5 1883.
-" In the House this day, Mr. Wise wished To amend
the journal of yesterday, The proceeding of Mr.. Ma
l,vis IN brIO b.iOr Tho So
nate, and made a motion 10 that effect long debate
occurred The House thought, after Two days spent
this affair it was high time 10 drop IT, and It was &C.
cordjurv laid on the table The Senate have moi and
will not notice il at oil, coming, as it does in annny
nous shape. You will see the explanation Of Mr. Rug
giles of Maine, in yesterdays Cube Mr.. Smith Of
Connecticut spoke to-day in favor OF the Sub Trpa
sury biIl-and made fine speecn-showlng the amount
Of the great love for The dear people SO ardenty profess
ed by the Opposition.
;Nlr Adams of the House, it being petition day, took
the hoor-Said the resolution Of the Houae laying all
resolutions on the table The subject OF slavery had
only served To increase the number instead OF demosh
inG them: Said he bad three hundred and fifty 10 pre-
sent of that nature. Speaker called him TO order Mr.
A. then commenced presenting petitions sngly-o one
Gregory of New York pray wing Congress TO relieve the
Abnrigines he considered them descendants OF the
tribes of Israel also from the person. asking Con-
cress to ascertain If the army not in danger from its
proximity TO the Indians-anuhcr asking protection for
citizens going South he understood if Abonnis,s
travelled South they would be hanged-(much laugher
Mr. a. speaking at the top Of his voice-Inuch disorder
members crowding around Mr. A.
Next petition with $4,000 names praying Tor the
resembling The resolution of the 2Ist December OR
pntlons1 laid on the table. So gocs the day hcfc The
South have hard battle TO fight yet
TO TIE EDITOR OF TIE ENQUIRER.
The Report OF the Secretary OF the Treasury OF the
United States on "rrBLIc DErArLTEEs, made IN ODE.
dicncc 10 resolution Of Congress adopted al The Extra
session. on The motion of the Hon. James Garland has
very Justly ustonished every person into whose hands 1t
has fallen /, seems me- that it is of those prac
teal documents which you ought 10 lay before your
readers in preference many Of the empty, vapd, the
orecal speeches, which crowd the newspapers, and
which me rcnuenlly founded neither upon fact nor cor