The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-25
From Special Correspondent.
The Scene I'm the House of Represen-
tatives last Saturday.
EXCHANGE HOTEL,

EXCHANGE HOTEL,
RICHMOND, February %, 1868.
Having heard the exciting debate in the
House of Representatives on Saturday
evening upon the question of preferring
articles of impeachment against the Pre-
sident of the United States, l will briefly
state the impression which it made on my
mind. So vast an assemblage has seldom
been witnessed by me. The Hobbies, halls,
and galleries, were crowded to suffocation,
and thousands were unable to see or hear
what was going on. The diplomatic corps,
the reporters, strangers visiting the city,
the beauty and fashion of Washington,
senators and members with their families,
made up spectacle of peculiar splendor.
But for the kindness Of the temporary
Speaker, Mr.. Blaine, of Maine, who admit
ted me to seat on the floor of the House,
YOUR correspondent would have failed to
hear syllable or take note. But though
the audience was probably the largest ever
seen at the capitol, and the interest in the
proceedings deeper than on any previous
occasion since the conclusion of the war,
it must be said that the attendance of
members was comparatively thin. The
greatest magnates Of the Radical hump
were absent. Neither Stevens nor Butler
nor Bingham was present. The notorious
Ashley made himself most prominent by
going around to seats of members canvass
ing the question before the House. He is
a well-fed, sleek fellow, who has large,
beefy head, devoid of brains, ex-
cept for purposes of low cunning and
partisan tactics. The debate embraced
MIR. Farnsworth, of Illinois; Mr.. Beck,
of Kentucky Mr.. Kelley, of Penn
sylvania; Mr.. Phelps, of Maryland; Mr..
Niblack, of Indiana and Logan Of Hi
nois, with several others whose names are
not recollected. Butler, Bingham, and
Brooks, had spoken in the afternoon. The
effort of Mr.. Brooks was generally regard
ed as mastery argument. sold Spoony"
was full of malignant and hot Bureau soup,
which he poured on the President without
stint. Bingham fourished his usual rho
domontade, spat venom at Mr.. j ohnson, and
sat down fully satisfied that he had used
up Andy. Judge Kelley's speech was the
best worded and best delivered Of the
evening; but his facts were made of whole
Judges fertile imagination. What amused
me most was the charge, twice repeated by
Kelley, that the President had bloody"
intentions, that he was intriguing to "per-
petuate bis power" and that he had
'sviolated the Constitution he had solemnly
sworn to support" sc. These charges
were funny, coming from prominent
member Of party who are confessedly
acting in oil their reconstruction mea-
sures "outside " Of the Constitution, and
who, the whole country knows, are moving
heaven and earth to retain power them
selves. General Logan enjoys reputa-
ton among his friends as debater which
he does not deserve. He may be effective
on the stump; but he broke down COM
pletely Saturday evening, both in voice
and argument. His speech was composed
chiefly Of assertions which were designed
to damage the President, but which were
unsupported by facts. His levity on what
all sensible people would naturally regard
as solemn occasion was the subject of
considerable remark. I am sorry to be
compelled to say that the members on the
Democratic side who defended the action
of the President and the removal of Stan
ton were quite too tame and tenderfooted.
Neither Mr.. Beck nor Mr.. Phelps was
listened to with attention. It is truly q
painful reflection that Mr.. johnson has so
few men Of ability at his back. Brooks is
his best card, but he can't win.
/ am we'll satisfied that the House of Re-
representatives. will prefer articles against
the President. The vote will be taken on
Monday today, and there is no room for
doubt about the result, 1t is barely possiA