Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-05-09
IaIpE ACm We Vt.

VI n IL a q IL u II ~
WASHINGTON, May l.--Mr. Evarts has q,
last finished his argument. That the argu-
ment was too long drawn out to be effec.
tive, Is generally conceded. 1t was inge.
nous and bold but changed no Senator's
opinion, and was designed more for circula-
tion and effect over the country than upon
the Senate. Towards its conclusion, Mr..
Evarts' voice failed 80 that he could be heard
with difficulty, much of the time. in the
galleries.
The House met to day, immediately after
the adjournment of the Impeachment Court,
at four o'clock. After several amendments
to the navy bill were passed, MIR. Brooks
called up his resolution of yesterday pro
viding for the appointment of a committee
to investigate the Alta Vela case. Mr..
Brooks led off in an ironical speech, to the
effect that the honor of the honorable Mana
gers and the dignity of the House of Repre-
sentatives required that the charges should
be investigated, and that their characters
should be cleared of all imputation. Mr.
Washburne, of Illinois, offered an amendment
that the Managers, and such of the members
as may desire, be allowed to give their
explanations. The House refused to order
the previous question, and debate was in
order. Mr.. Marshall, of Illinois, followed,
ana SalC. lnhL tuC lcltcT Was CNlueHlly III
tended to reach the President and influence
him.
Mr.. Logan replied that hc denied the
right of the House TO investigate the subject.
1t was the mere letter and opinion of
member of Congress, for which he could
not be called to account by the House. He
characterized the attack as 'villainous," for
which he was called to order, but WAS al
lowed to rctract Continuing still in his
excited remarks, he SAID that 1.-THE statement
was untrue, and that he (Eldridge) knew it."
For this again he was called to order, and
was again allowed to retiact General
Butler followed, and made direct assault on
Mr. Brooks. He proceeded to give the
history of the Alta Vela case, and satisfac-
torily cleared himself of any illegitimate
competition with him. He observed that he
had made it rule never to touch a case in
! his practice as lawyer where he could
possibly be led into any personal dispute, or
where he had any persolal feeling with any
| Of the parties concerned. AS an instance
of this he cited the case of Clark against
| Erastus Brooks, who was one of the propri.
! ctors of penny -a-linc sheet in New York,
/ TO compel him and one James Brooks, the
| other proprietor, to settle an account invol
wing the partnership of that paper.
>
! luded to Mr.. Evarts as pseudo Republican,
who had stolen the livery of Heaven in
which to serve the devil" Mr.. Eldridgc
| again spoke, much to the same effect as be-
| fore and made an attack on Logan, for
which he was called to order, but Mr. Logan
said he would let it pass, remarking, soto
! uoce, that much could not be expected from
blackguard. General Garfield then made
! a short, dignified explanation, giving the
! history of the signing of the paper and
| clearing his own skirts of the charges and
insinuations made against him. Thaddeus
Stevens, who was present, appeared anxious
to say something, but was unable TO get an
opportunity, aud was obliged 10 sit pas.
sivc listener.
Mr.. Brooks again came to the attack. He
opened on Butler in fierce strain of invec-
tives, saying in Justification that Butler had
pursued him remorsely, and never omitted
an opportunity to attack him. Mr.. Butler
asked, "did you not call me bold robbcr'
on this floor, when ] was in the service of
my country" Brooks replied that he had,
and insisted that he was justified in doing
so. He referred to the oft told tale of New
Orleans, and alluded 10 Fort Fisher and
some sixty thousand dollars, which only by
the decision of n New York court Mr.. But,
iCi nus lOiCCi ~ iCluI " II NCW OTIelQs
merchant. Brooks was called to order oy
the Speaker for applying the expletiyl
"Bi!lingsgate" to Mr.. Buffers remarks. -
Finally the whole subject was laid On the
table, to come up again to morrow, and al
740, after spending more than three hours
in the grossest personal abuse and invec
) tivcs, the House adjourned.
! WAsuINGToE, May AFTER the reading
Of the journal, Mr. Bingham commenced the
final argument for the prosecution, protest
: ing that he took part in these proceeding
from no partisan feeling, but with weight,
, sense of their solemnity and true meaning
He proceeded to sketch the events attend
, ant on the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln anC
the accession of Mr.. johnson TO the presi
dency referring to his oath TO execute
the laws, he spoke of their majestic supre
| macy in our form Of government, end claim
cd that the President was equally suffice
to their authority with the humblest fror
tier settler lie dwelt on the high ,rus
committed to the Senate, and asserted tha
3 the issues of life and death to the republic
hung on their decision. He asked how tn
, charge of violating the supreme law of tn
> land was met by the counsel vino for hir
defend the treason of the criminal respond
r that each branch of the government had
. right to judge of the constitutionaity of th
laws, and obey them or not at pleasure. Thi
, was the defence made for his highness tn
r first king Of our nation.
. Mr. Bingham held that the Senate, b.
q upholding this proposition, would lay tn
foundation for monarchy FIRST and ANARCHY
alterwards--a reign OF chaotic darkness
On this issue, which, in spite of lawyers
| tricks and special pleas, was the real ques
, tion involved, this decision must be mad
, and they must stand for trial by the people
He repeated that the question was whethe
I the President could be held to answer 10
. u violation of law. He held, first, that tn
Senate had sole power to decide ever
/, question OF law arising on the issue. The
were also the fiual arbiters, and the frequen
> attempts Of counsel to bring the Senate an
the Court in opposition were miserable dc
vices to divert attention.
He would not initiate the eloquent cour
sci hIr, Evartsl, who had shown himself a
eater.up of syllsbles, a snapper-up of trihes
who had displayed more Latin than Law
more rhetoric than logic, and more intelle1
. / tna al .Nurn,npl,nirc .igh 10 olg rs