Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-07
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

In the House, on the 9th ultimo, a bill was In
troduced to admit the State of Arkansas into the
Union, which was referred to the Reconstruction
Committee, when the House adjourned.
On the 2Sth; in the House, bills wereintroduced
and referred to the Reconstruction Committee, ad-
mitting North Carolina and Louisiana on their a.
doption of the fourteenth article, and providing
that there shall be no exclusion of classes from
suffrage who are now enfranchised, and no admis
sion of those disfranchsed by the fourteenth art-
Gle until restored as therein provided.
On the 29th, the Reconstruction Committee had
the Constitutions of South Carolina and Arkansas
under consideration, but arrived at no conclusion.
In the House, on the 3Oth, Mr.. Brooks gave no
tice of resolution of inquiry regarding the con-
nection of the impeachment managers with the
"Alta Vela'' business. ..,...... ..,...c.
On the lst of May, the Alta Vels question was
under discussion, and free debate ensued. Lo-
gan wascalled to order for using the word williams "
He was again called to order for saying that Brooks
had said what he. (Brooks) knew to be untrue, but
the Speaker ruled that the expression was parlia-
mentary. 49,: 80 ........ y ;...,..- :
The debate came very bitter. Butler accused
Brooks of robbing his partners. He also asked
Brooks if, while he (Butler) was fighting, he
(Brooks) did not, in this House, call Butler a
'sgold robber." Brooks replied "Yes And l
made you disgorge $4,000 to citizen Of New
York" elimination and recriminations followed.
The speaker called Brooks to order. Brooks asked
why Butler had not been called to order. He said
he was at loss how to get satisfaction. He could
not get it personally from man like Butler, who
had been whipped at his home in Massachusetts,
by bricklayer for insulting the bricklayers wife
At this there was much excitement, and loud cries
of 'sOrder." Eldridge said Logan was mo gen.
tleman," and Logan replied that Eldridge was "a
blackguard." In the midst of these agreeable pro
ceedings, motion was made to table the Alta Vela
resolutions and it was carried-yeas 10; nays q.
For better understanding of the "Alta Vela
natter the reader is referred to an article in an
other column headed 'the Alta Vela affair. :" e:
On the End, in the House, after returning from
impeachment, Mr.. Donnelly, of Minnesota, made
a personal explanation. He said that Washburne
had written letter to his (Donnely'sl constitu-
ents denouncing him. and that that letter contain
ed twenty-four falsehoods. Donnelly' proceeded
an hour and q half in strain of the most bitter
invective. The following is sample: .....
eff there be in our midst one low, sordid, vul-
gar soul; one barren, mediocre intelligence one
heart callous to every kindly sentiment, and to
every generous emotion one tongue leprous with
slander; one mouth like unto den Of foul beasts
giving forth deadly odours. If there be here one
character which while blotched and spotted, yet
1000. onl .ont, ,nd blooL ords lilo uroatituta
If there be here one bold, bad, empty, believing
demagogue, it is the gentleman from Illinois. -"
The Speaker called him to order half dozen
times, but Washburne said: "Let the party go
on" and the House not objecting, be went on
He had letters read going to show that Washburne
had outrageously slandered him. s,-t....
Washburne replied, reiterating the truth Of his
letter, and adding that he could make no answer
to a man who had been false to his friends, his
party, his religion, and his God. 80. 49,. .
Pending motion to censure Washburne for this
language, the House adjourned.