The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-09
Congressional synopsis.
ut3J- 81

ded from its beginning TO close. Mr. Htanberv
then rose and commenced his speech for the de.
fence He was in feeble health, bat in pretty
good voice. He spoke almost an hour, when he
asked for an adjournment, which was granted.
| House.-The House, after returning from the
impeachment trial had an hours session. This
arose out of resolution offered by Mr.. Brooks
| providing for select committee to inquire into
| the conduct of four of the managers Of the i'm
parchment trial in writing letter, dated March
8, relative to the island of Alta Vela, which was
submitted to the president by one Of the attor.
neys of the claimants during the trial. One OF
the most bitter and personal debates sprang up
on this resolution ever witnessed in the House
In support Of it, Messrs. Brooks Eldridge, and
Marshall declared that the letter bore evidence
that it was written to the president while he was
on trial as it was significantly signed by four Of
the managers, namely: lsssrs Stevens, Butler,
Logan, and Bingham, and only by three other
members, and, though not directly addressed TO
the executive, IL was laid by the counsel of the
Alta Vela claimants, to whom it was written, be-
fore Mr.. johnson. accompanied by letter sta
ting by whom the document was signed
Mr.. Washburne proposed to offer an amend.
Inent giving the managers opportunity to
make personal explanations.
Logan took the floor, and proceeded in most
excited manner to denouuce Brooks in ride le
and epithet, for which he was called to order
once ny the speaker and three times by members.
Finally Logan acknowledged that he signed the
letter, but disclaimed any knowledge that it was
intended to go before the president.
Mr.. Butler then took the floor. Ho entered
into full explanation Of the Alta Vela matter
and declared that he wrote the letter a. legal
opinion, and did not know that it was going 10
the president He charged that the president
had requested the Alta Vela counsel to get the
signatures of congressman TO stitfen him in his
position, If he decided in their favor and against
Seward, whom Butler charged with being in the
interest of rival claimants the island bat that
the moment johnson got this letter, he precip-
itated it into the newspapers to make point in
his lJohnson's) bshalf. Butler then took up
Brooks personally, and, abiding to a lawsuit re-
garding the New York Ktpress, declared that the
case showed dishonesty and rascality. He char
acterized the Express as q penny-a-lner sheet
and wound up by general denunciation.
Mr.. Eldridge followed, and insisted that the
intent of the Alta Vsla letter was plain, and
should be investigated
Finally Brooks again got the floor, ana pitched
into Butler, explaining the lawsuit alluded TO-
During his remarks, Batter inquired if Brooks
had net called him bold robser in the Erpress
Brooks said he had, and that he had made Butler
disgorge 100000.
The resolution was then laid on the table by
p1Aty NOtC, tuc W fcCOuSiutE
WAS entered, and it will come up again.
The spectators took deep interest in the debsts.
fer it developed on both sides goodly portion Of
one of the biggest Jobs of the Washington lobby
It is said that halt has not been told yet. The
amount involved in Alto yelo was represented to
be from $1,000, 900 to $2.0O0,0Q0,
SATURDAY, Nay 2.
isnote-Mr. StaHbsry resumed his argument
for the defence in the impeachment trial. He
was able to speak only about an hour, and allow
ed his private Secretary to read his speech to its
close. which he did in clear voice and with good
emphasis. The senate then adjourned. Mr..
Bingham makes tho closing speech in the case on
Monday. Then the senate will have good many
preliminaries to settle in regard to tho manner
of taking the final vote, 20 that probably the end
OF the trial may DO deferred Mecl; or two
House-In hehouss, after the return from the
Impeachment trial, another scene occurred which
even exceeded that of yesterday. The affair
is thus sketched by the special of the Chicago
Times.
Mr.. Donnelly, of Minnesota, rose TO person
al explanation, and alluded to letter which Mr..
Washburn, Of Illinois. had written, pitching in
to him relative to certain legislation on land
grants for railroads Fer an hour Donnslly de-
nounced Washburn in the most bitter invectve
declared that he had no brains; insisted that he
(Washburne) represented himself as Grant wher.
ever the people called for the general, and as
sumed that he could not account for Grant and
Washburne living in GaleIa unless that the Al
mighty regarded it as an obedience TO the law Of
compensation. Dsnnelly was called TO order three
Mr.. Washburne replied in vehement style,
hurting epithet after epithet at the Minnesota
member, whs, no reiterated, had proved false to
himself, to his God, and his country, and who
was a criminal In the eyes OF the law. Mr.. WASH
burne was also called to order. His words
were taken down and ruled upon as unparlia-
mentary.
Mr. Window, Of Minnesota, gave notice that
on Monday he should move to censure Mr..
Washbarne. GA. 'ii ff
After the adjournment of tho house, several
members declared that it was one of the most
disgraceful exhibitions thsy had ever witnessed,
and this too in the face Of the fact that in the
Alta Vela debate yesterday afternoon. members
called each other robbers blackguards, liars, and
rascals.
g,t. a,,. MONDAY, May 4.
Sendte.-Mr. Bingham commenced his closing
speech in the impeachment case Immediately
upon the opening of the court, and spoke for
nsarly four hours, when, showing signs Of e1haus.
ton, the Senate, to relieve him, adjourned. The
speech, thus far, seems to have somewhat disap-
pointed expectation.
Honse-The House sat two hours after return
ing from the impeachment trial to consider the
disgraceful scope between Donaelly and WASH
burne. The question was on the resolution Of
Mr. Window, to appoint committee OF seven to
investigate the charges made by Washburne
against Donnelly. and if found true, to expel Don.
nelly, and if not true, to expel Washburne.
Donnelly took tho Hoor and attempted to make
an apology to the House for the language he had
used.