Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-03-04
Letter From Washington.


WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 25, 1870.
FRIEND SwAIN.-This has been wee
of excitement in Congress. On Monde
in the House, it was announced by Il
military committee, to whom had bee
referred the investigation of alleged sal
of Ca2etships, that the Rev. Mr.. Viii
temore, member from South Carolin
was guilty of violation of law, al
should, in their opinion, be expelled fro
his seat.
This resolution was laid upon the t
Bile till Wednesday, in order to give 0,
portunity for Mr.. w. to make defene
if he had any to make. On Wednesds
Ben Butler appeared "as attorney" f
Mr.. w, and endeavored by strateg.
bluffing and attempted ridicule to screc
his client from the charge of guilt, up,
the plea that the money which he WI
alleged to have received, $4,000 ha
been expended for charitable purpose
a plea similar to the one used by Ligh
foot and Thunderbolt who claimed to r,
the rich and give it to the poor. I'll
members Of the House were evident
unable to see the point in the case CLAIM
ed by Mr.. Butler, and after long tin
expended in speaking, raising points
order and various subterfurges to pos
pone to more convenient season, Ger
Logan of Illinois, the chairman of Il
committee, moved the previous questio
and as it was about being put. Mr.. VIII
temore arose and asked that the Hous
would not then vote, but begged them
adjourn and give him an opportunity
the morrow to speak on the subject an
satisfy them of his innocence. This r,
queIt was granted. After adournmer
that night he sent his resignation by tie
egraph to the Governor Of North Car,
lima, and got reply that it was accepted
This of course was privately done. o
Thursday he took his seat and arose
address the House when it convened
As he got up he sent to the Speaker
notice that he had rendered his resign,
ton. He had not spoken but nome,
when the Speaker called him to ord,
and insisted that none but members wei
entitled to speak on that floor except b
unanimous consent of the House. OF
lection was made and he took his seat
As he set down. Mr.. Butler arose an
claimed that as it had been decided tbs
MIR. W.was not a member he of cours
could not lie expelled, hence there wa
an end to the proceedings.
Gen. Logan, who had an inkling o
what was about being done, had fortifie,
against this flank movement and move
to lay the resolution, providing for tn
expulsion of Mr.. Whittemore, on tn
table. When this was done he imme
diately introduced one, declaring tina
Mr.. Whittemore had made appointment
to the Military and Naval Academies i
violation of law, and was Influenced b
pecuniary considerations which rendere
him unfit to occupy sea. in the Hous
This was unanimously adopted, 1856 men
bers voting. 1t was like a shot in til
back Of retreating coward, and iu.
rebuke to the guilty man who added /
his guilt when he asked for future tin
in which to make his defence; but ii
stead of that rather than meet his fat
manfully, chose to slip out of his iu.
deserts by cowardly resigning his sea
and thus defeat the impending executio
of the law in such cases provided.
While the question of expulsion W.
being agitated in the House and the ga
leries we're packed with anxious listel
ers, scene of equal interest was presen
ed in the Senate. One of the Senate
elect from Mississippi had presented
credentials and claimed his seat in tn
august body. But it was discovered tn
he was "nigger"-a sort Of biped til
the sagacious member of the Suprer
Court Of the United States discovered
few years ago, had no rights which
white man was bound to respect
The thought that this niger was
occupy the identical seat that had be
vacant ever since Jefferson Davis left
to 60 home and establish a Southe
confederacy, was bitter pill for /
friends Of that illustrious democrat. a
oun which fhow vroulJ v,s x.l-..,