Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-04-22
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE

AHUR-DAG, Aprll25.
SENATR.-The Senate met a: noon.
The Chair laid before the Senate the report
OF the National Academy of Sciences.
Mr.. ConkIing moved that the Senate 90 into
Executive session.
Mr- Nye desired to speak.
hr. Conklin thought IL would be better 10
ointoExecutive session and transact business,
alier which the doors could be opened and
Senator's might make personal explanations.
Ine Senate then refused TO go into Executive
session.
Mr. Nye sand X was the first time he had ever
attempted 10 say anything personal to himself,
but he now desired 10 occupy the time Of the
Senate for fe " min utes. He then referred to
the speec OF Senator Sprague, OF March 20th,
In which he al raigned the Senate and the pro-
fession OF which the speaker) was an humble
member, and II was with feelings of the utmost
kindness that he replied to the ehonorableSenator
from Rhode Island who had given him (lhe
speaker) the ccgnomen of chariatan OF the Sem
on this floor 20 know II there was any Iustice
In these charges. The speaker had never boast
ed OF has sPincles or his skill, as the Senator
eharlatan was more applicable to him. He
characterized the speech Of the Senator from
Rhode Island a. the production of another,
and said be was unwilling that the Senator
from Rhode Island IN that speech should hold
him to public gar rs n harlequin. He thought
such Language unbecomlng the honorable Sen.
ator, who must have forgotten that he was sur
rounded by his peers, his equals, many of
whom Were probably his superiors.
Mr.. Nye tEen proceeded to defend the legal
profession from the attacks of Mr.. Sprague.
and repudiated all such unjust charges. He
next defended the character of Gen. Burnside
IN forcible manner, and was followed by
Messrs- Chandler of Mich, aud Abbott, Of N.
G.. both Of whom defended Gov. Burnside.
Mr.. Sprague said the people Of Rhode Island
could determine for themselves ths bravery of
General Burnside. as they were capable o.
doing. He characterized the defense Of Mr..
Nye as in the interest of Brown Ives, and
declared that the Senate had again declared
itself on the side Of the monopOlists. A few
days ago the Presiding Officer Of the Senate,
forced by his hackers and owners and certain
outside barbarians, under plea Of privileged
matter, had defended the nonopoIsts. Was
there anything left in the Constitution
and against which the Senate would
Lot raise their paricidal hands The
attacks OF the Senators from Nevada and
North Carolina reminded him of an attack once
made upon him by large mastiff and puppy
dog This was no way to critcise his conduct,
standing a. ne did here in the interests OF his
country. He was the mere agent or instrument
of Divine Providence TO work q great reform.
The Speaker expected 10 be ridiouled. pro-
multitude behind him equally intoxic ated.
equally crazy. Mr.. Sprague then read a num-
Der OF letters from persons in various parts OF
the country approving his course.
MIR. Trumbull suggested that the Senator
from RhodeIsland be permitted to have printed
such extracts from the letters as he desired:
which was acceded to.
MIR. Brownlow had the clerk to read a speech
In defence Of Gov. Burnside.
Mr Cameron also made brief defence OF
Gov. b.; and, on motion of Mr.. Trumbull, :he
a n renfi In IN pufIy =tn