The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-23
MISCELLANEOUS WASHINGTON NEWS.

WASHINGTON, suly 90, 1863.
EAciting Debate the Admission Of Senators
from South Carolina.
fhe proceedings In the Senate to-day were un-
usually interesting. Indeed, there was highly en-
tertaning fight started among the radical Senators by
the friends OF two OF the highly polished and dsin-
eIesed carpetbag representatives sent by the state
Of South Carolina to supply the voice Of the old Pal
metto State in the higher branch Of Congress. Since
the opening OF the rebellion that State had been silent
In Congress until to-day when her voice once more
heard sounding In the legislative halls Of the Capitol
The fight TO which refer grew out OF the presenta-
ton OF the credentials OF Messrs Thomas j. Robertson
and Frederick A. Sawyer as the newly manufactured
Senators from South Carolina under the benign aus
pieces OF radical reconstruction. Robertson was let
without opposition, but Sawyer went through
regular ordeal OF fire before he was permitted TO
take the Senatorial OATH remonstrance was pre-
scented by JAKE Howard OF Michigan, against Saw
yer's admission, the reasons set forth being that
Sawyer's record was disloyal, he having been en-
gagged during the rebellion in blockade running and,
moreover, having secured majority of votes nom
persons not legally elected members OF the South
Carolina Legislature The remonstrance declared that
one DIR. Mackey Of South Carolina, was the regularly
elected Senator To understand the quarrel 1t il ne
cessary to state that Mackay IL politician of long
standing in his State. During the rebellion he was
constantly Union man and incurred some risk in
resisting the popular sentiment OF his State. When
the rebellion was crushed he loomed up az the most
adroit manipulation Of reconstruction in South Caro-
lima and for long time was regarded as certain 10
win one OF the Senatorial prizes in the gift OF his
State. He had q brother, one Thomas J. Mackey.
who acted as sort OF confidential secretary TO Gen.
eral o. o. Howard, Of the Freedmens Bureau, and
was also very active IN sounding the fratenal trum-
pet. He believed In his older brother and
thought he certainly ought and would be one
OF the Senators from South Carolina; but n powerful
opposition came up, and as far back the Chicago
Convention 1t became evident that everything would
lie done by Mackeys enemies TO prevent his election
Some of the delegates to that convention unhestat
ingly declared that Mackey's chances even then
destroyed. When the time for election came around
these predictions were fully veri6ed-Sawyer secur.
Ing the prize by four five spare votes. This result
gave hackeys friends great disappointment, and par
tcuary grieved Thomas j., who calculated TO elevate
himself the shoulders Of his senior brother. The
natural consequence is this remonsrance TO Sawyers
admission, which is backed up by afldavits from
MacGey junior and c. c. Bowen two worthy patriots
but very recently absoved themselves by Congress.
s.onal Indulgence. In the complication Of charge and
counercharge IT is really dinicult to declare which
of the rival asplrants IL in the right. The proba
billy Is that neither Is free from blemish and that
funny little Davis OF Kentucky, Is right in charac
terizing the contest as not a whit better than the
light OF the Kilkenny cats. II Sawyer Is q blockade
runner Mackay IL selfish and designing political
w.repullef, and 80 far as mere forms go the only
difference between them is that Sawyer has the
color OF right on his SIDE being furnished with the
customary certificate Of election. The dis.
cussion OF the matter to-day led 10
very ebarp exchange OF parliamentary hot shot
between Davis Of Kentucky and CONFESS, OF Cali
fornia The former, In his remarks, alluded TO the
sensitiveDess Of Senators about blockade TpDing
and observed substantially that that OFFENCE ought
not 10 be deemed so great when so little was thought
of the disgraceful transactions OF Butler while In
command OF the Army OF the James. lie had no
doubt In his mind that all these charges against But
Ter were true and could be proved if necessary
CONFESS VINO has become great champion OF Butler
IN the Senate and who was in secret consulta,
while the latter was conducting the impeach.
ment trial, started TO his feet with much
assumed Indignation and mock herosm and hauled
Davis the Goals for disrespectfu language ap.
piled 20 a member OF the other House. lie said
Davis was guilty OF violating both the rules OF the
senate and of good taste IN thus Selling every
opportunity to assall General Butler. Little Davis
was not to be silenced in this way. lie sprang to
hs feet the moment CONFESS SAT down. and, with
FIRE in his eyes, told the Senator from California that
DC would not submit being lectured for speaking
for INDUCING In the West abuse Of the President.
He ponte0 his GDger at Comes ID DEFIANT manner