Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-02-17
Washington City Gossip.

the 10th, drew to the House of Representa-
tives larger crowd than since the memora-
BILE day of the passage of the impeachment
resolutions. Every available space was filed,
and hundreds could not get in. At II O.
clock the House was called to order, and a
few minutes before p. m the members of
the Senate were announced, entered the
hall in the customary order, and took their
, seats to the right ofthe Speakers-Mr w ade
IN the chair. Senator Conklin and Representa-
tives Wilson (of Iowa. and Pruyn, were elec-
ted tellers. Business began by Mr.. Conklin
readingin full the official certificates of New
Hampshire, which formula was afterwards
dispensed with, by motion, and only the
summarized results were given in each ease
The votes Of fifteen States were announ-
ced, and then came Louisiana, to which
Mr.. Mullins, of Tennessee, the butt of the
House, at once objected. A dozen of per-
sons We're on their feet in an instant, with
points of order, and dozen more were
about Mullins trying to persuade him to
Withdraw his objection. Mr.. Wade, as in
duty bound, declined to entertain any points
OF order, and Mr.. Mullins declined to with
draw his objections, declaring that 'he was
going to make them ere Senters go back to
their own end of the Capitol" Whereup-
on the Senate, according to twenty second
joint resolution, withdrew to its own cham
Der to decide what should be their action
Both bodies decided by considerable majori-
ties to proceed with the count. On the re-
assembling Of the joint convention all went
well until the name of Georgia was announ-
ced, when Mr.. Butler objected to its recep-
ton. To obyiate any difficulty in regard to
the vote of this State being announced,
joint resolution had been passed by the two
Houses. on Monday, that the total vote
should be stated with and without the vote
ofGeorgia. Under this resolution, Mr.. Wade
| refused to entertain Mr.. Butler objections
to the reading of the vote of Georgia, and
accompanied his decision with raps of his
gavel to preserve order. The scene that
followed beggars description. Gen Butler
demanded to be heard Senator Wade rap
ped and growing more angry as he did So,
declared that the Chair would hear nothing.
Fltty-seven at once tried TO address the
Chair. Senators could be heard telling Mr..
Wade to go on with the count, &c. Shouts of
''order" made the disorder more turb ulent.
General Butler voice rose above the din of
of Mr. Wade's gavel, appealing from the
Chairs decision, and declaiming with fierce
and electric effect that the rights of the
House were being invaded and trampled un
H. fnn- III, L
the desk, and declare that the Chair would |
entertain no appeal, and that nothing was |
IN order but the announcement of Geor- |
gas vote Messrs. Ingersoll, Bromwell, |
and Farnsworth of Illinois, got into the me- |
lee, and Mr.. Dickey, of Lancaster, made |
himself both heard and seen effectively in |
support of General Butler. The latter was |
the valiant centre of an excited group, and |
memories OF Cronwellian purges and Jaco-
binian Jurors came C, owding to the mind, as |
the eye took in the intensely exciting and !
dramatic scene
When the turmoil was at its height, Mr. |
Wade, rapping more angrily, Senators grow
ing more and more excited, Repres sentatiyes |
appearing each moment more ike the ICON |
fusion worse confounded,' Mr.. Butler, throw
ing his head back, shouted out, giving point |
to his words by unconsciousy turning up his |
cuffs-''that this tyranny could not be sub |
mltted to; that the rights of the House |
could not thus be trampled upon" The
disorder reached its climax here the
Speaker came to Mr.. Wade's rescue BY
directing the arrest of members who DISC
beyed the orders Of the presiding officer
The House sank into sudden quiet, Mr.. !
Conkling proceeded TO read the returns Mr.. |
Wade announced the final result, one which |
marks new era, and then in eager words,
as ii too glad TO get away to note the words
he used, declared that the Joint Conven-
ton having adjourned, would proceed TO the
Senate Chamber. This was so absurdy apt
that the House broke into uproarious laugh
ter, in the midst of which the Senate with
but little order or less dignity, left the hall
1t remained in its own chamber long en-
ough to adjourn. Several were in the House
afterwards While Gen Butler pugnacity
created the disagreement, Senator Wade's
want of tact at the time gave it serious as
pect.
After the Senators had retired, the floor
OF the House was cleared of strangers,
whereupon Mr.. Butler introduced resolu
ton declaring that the counting of the vote
OF Georgia by order of the Vice President
was gross act of oppression and invasion
OF the rights and privileges of the House"
This resolution ELECTED an animated debate,
and, after discussion of three days. was
laid on the table by the decisive vote of l3O
to 50. So the fight is at an end, and the
House has partially retrieved its honor.
APPROPRIATION BILL Through the in.
dustry of the Hon. George Wilson, Chair
man, and Hon. Thos Nicholson, Secretary
OF the Committee on Ways and Means, the
appropriation bill vas reported to the House
last week. heretofore the bill was general
ly reported about the first day of March
The committee, therefore, have this year
acted more promptly and reported the same