New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-12

PARDON Oh DIX. MUDDs
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. II, 1869
In the Senate, to-day, Mr.. Morgan reported from
.he Committee on Commerce the House bill Ior 'no
construction of bridge across the East RIVER De-
tween Brooklyn and New-York, with amendments
The resolution of Mr. Williams introduced some
weeks since instructing the judiciary committee 10
Inquire whether any legislation was necessary TO
prevent the further discharge OF criminals IN VIZ
chic was renorted back to-day, with the opinion
that any legislation on the subject would be mex
Incident The Joint resolution. which lately passed
both Houses yacating all offices held by Rebels, will
prevent any further trouble this score, Garrett
Davis introduced very weakly-wOrded resolution
of censure on Gen. Butler, which went over under
affection and it is not likely that he will ever get
tho consent of the Senate to take it up. AT o'clock
Mr. Sherrnans bl relating to the public
debt and the currency, twas taken up, when
speeches were made by Messrs. Conkling
Morrill, of Vermont, and Corbett, all of whom
expressed the opinion that the bill was totally In
adequate TO meet the purpose for which 1t was
designed Mn Morton next obtained the floor but
preferrnp to GO on tomorrow the bill was lald over
informally. Mr. Sumner seiZnG q happy moment
called up the bill to strike the word white from
all charters and laws relating to the District of
Columbia anu III WIS pdSSSti HtW' OVh' AAiS 10 iHO
same bill which after twice passing both Houses was
defeated by the obstnancy of President johnson, in
refusing to return it before the adjOurnment An
Executive session of FIVE minutes was held for the
purpose of referring some Indian treaties, and at
o'clock q recess was taken until = when bills from
the Committee on Commerce viii be considered. In
these dispatches of Monday night the name of
Senator Williams of Oregon by error appeared
among those of the Republican Senators who voted
against the Constitutional amendment in the Senate
on the 9th Judge'Williams not only voted for the
amendment but made strong speeches in favor OF its
main features.
In the House to-day, Immediately after the read
ing of the journal had been finished, the resolutions
offered by Gen. Butler yesterday, in regard to the
action of the Senate in the counting of the Electoral
vote taken up and the debate thereon proceeded
with MI Colfax DESTROYS Of taking part in the dis
cusson, left the chair and took seat among the
other Members, Mr.. Dawes acting as Speaker pro
TEN. The excitement of yesterday had evidently
not died out for the galleries from the commence
ment were closely packed with spectators. 1t
was evident that many anticipated q sim
liar occurrence to that of yesterday,
but in this they were disappointed.
better feeling among the members regarding the
points at issue was manifest the several hours
having been used for reflection. Members had dis
cussed the merits of the thing in their rooms and
otherwise, and into the House prepared for i'm
mediate action. 1t was evident from the beginning
of the discussion that Buffers resolutions would
be sustained Many who stood by him yesterday
were ready to vote against him to-day They felt
convinced of the gross irregularities of the proceed
ings yesterday but at the same time they could not
see that the errors of the Senate aud its presiding
officer called for such action as Butler proposed
They had also become convinced of the Importance
and necessity of Congress making more definite rules
concerning the manner of the fcOuntng of the
Electoral vote in order that repetition of the diff
culties of yesterday would hereafter be impossible
As TO the point in relation to the powers and duties
Of the Speaker Of the House while it and the Senate
we're sitting in joint Convention, it was small mat
YER and not worthy of consideration. With tins idea
If the case a majority Of the House ready to
yote down the propositions Of Mr. Butler without
Nearing any debate, but several members had
been promised the floor for speeches, and
they had to be heard. Mr.. Sheabarger led of
with clear and forcble argument in support of the
consttutiOnalty Of the concurrent resolution of the
Senate and House touching the case of Georgia and
Vice-President Wades final action in the counting
of the vote of that State yesterday. He confined
himself strictly to the merits of the case and COM
manded the attention and respect of all present The
venerable Frank Thomas of Maryland followed with
q brief recitation Of precedents in support Of Mr..
Shellabarger's statements Woodward was given an
hour but yielded most Of his time to Mr..
Bingham, who took strong ground against
the pending resolution, but dwelt particu-
larry on Gen. Buffers personal action in the
matter. He let y right and left at Butler, abusing
him with all the invectiye at his command, remind
ing his associates Of the painful scene he invoked
with the same gentleman two years ago. Binghams
earnestness rand personality made members leave
their seats and gather around him and the object of
his abuse. Butler, seemingly uDconcerned, moved
around within hearing distance of the speaker
Bingham's remarks evidently angered many. and
made them impatient for Buffers reply. 1t had been
arranged that when Bingham had finished he should
yield the floor to FanswOrth, who was to cut off
debate by moving TO table the resolution, but the
former gentleman in the intense excitement of his
peroration forgot his part and sat down Before he
recovered himself Schenck, a representative of the
Butler wing. on his feet and the chair had
recognized him. Famsworth, urged on by the op-
ponents Of Butler, made determined effort to regain
the floor for his wing, but Schenck was not to he
bulied, and for time another disorderly scene was
threatened The chair finally Recognized Schenck.
and order was again restored. He spoke for
nearly an hour with great force, making
many strong points in favor Of Buffers theory He
took broad ground against the legality Of Speaker
Colfaxs action yesterday in ordering the arrest of
disorderly members. This brought out Colfax. who
briefly defended his course by citations from the
rules governing the House. Schenck replied to Col
fax, and made the point that he was laborng under
the same excitement that characterized them all dur
ing yesterdays proceedings. He also dcpre-
Gated the hintsNthrown out by Bingham and
others that the motives of the supporters of
oI,,As, xtt. "a