The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-28
THE List OF UHITTEMORE.
A Strategic sneak-How He was Fo:iet!
by His own Act.

A Washington telegram of Thursday, to the
New York Herald, says:
Representative Whittemore is no more. The
first district of South Carolina is without rep
resentative. Justice is partially sallsned, Lo.
gan is nearly satisfied, Butler Is only about
one-tenth satisfied, and Whittemore feels cx,
ultant that he has escaped eXpulsion-the full
and complete punishment which his alleged
criminality called for. When the time for
the opening of the House session to-day
arrived. the galleries and floor were
again crowded to repletion. The great
est interest in the result was manifested
All sorts of rumors had been afioat during
the night preceding, and all sorts Of opinions
ss to what would happen were expressed.
Especially were there discussions about MI.
Whittemore's resignation, its effect, whether it
would save him from a vote OF expulsion,
whether it could save him from that dishonor,
and hundred other knotty points, In whlch
ladies as well as gentlemen learneuly partici,
pated. Almost the moment after the journal
reading was concluded, General Logan, chair
man OF the Military Committee and chief
prosecutor according to Butler, took the
floor Profound silence ensled. Every eye
wandered from Logan to Whittemore and
from Whittemore TO Logan. The latter
looked firm and determined. The victim
appeared scarcely less so. Whittemore
held roll Of manuscript In his hand, his last
words before the intended execution, his last
intended appeal Tor sympathy anu seil-vindica-
tion. Logan made no speech then. ne simply
turned for moment to look toward the South
Carolina VICTIM and then addressing Speaker
Blaine observed that he yielded ftfy-iirc min
utes of his time to Mr.. Whlttemore TO say
whatever he might desire, and would claim
thereafter the remaining five minutes OF his
hour to close the debate. Logan sat down ana as
t,,tyv n
House. All in the gallery leaned forward to see
and hear. Glasses we're leVelled Mt the member
from South Carolina from every direction, and
SUPPRESSED eXclamations OF "TheIe he ls,'
s.That's hen were heard from hundreds OF lips.
Slowly and deliberately Whittemore unfolded
his manuscript and placed it on the desk before
him. He then took drink OF water, cleared
his throat and handed to one OF the pages
something, which the latter conveyed TO
Sneaker Blaine. While the little messenger was
thus running, Mr. Whittemore commenced
his diving speech He had not read more than
half page when down came the Speakers
cavel two or three times with loud noise
Something was decidedly the matter
thought everybody. Whiltemore ceased MS
reading, as with sudden jerk, and
looked inQuiringly at the Speaker. There
was surprise oil over the house, on the floor
as well US in the gallery. Blaine soon gave
the explanation. The paper which had been
carried by the page to the Speaker proved to
be the resignation of Mr.. Whittemorc, accom-
pasied by correspondence between the latter
and Governor Scott, of South Carolina. It's
reading caused sensation. what was TO oe
doEc under the circumstances was now the
onestion. The Speaker ruled that White
more was no longer q member, and there
FORE mot entitled to be heard on the floor
of the House. 4 few of Whittemore's friends
and Whittemore himself made On effort TO
remedy the damage. Whittemore asked the
privilege of withdrawing his letter, to which the
Speaker bllntly said nay. 1t was too late now.
The unfortunate victim had sent up the evil
dencc of his legislative extinction u little Dit
too soon. Had he kept the paper in bis pos
session until near the close oil his speech ne
would have had no trouble, and would nave
been allowed to make his say uninterrupted.
Then q very complicated parliamentary mud
die cnsucd. the result of all of which was that
the House backed up Mr.. Blaine In his view that
Whittemore was no longer representative.
and that therefore he could neither be heard
nor expelled. aad that the resolution Of eXpui-
sion should be tabled: Alter this mad oeen
accomplished, Logan got the floor again and
offered the motion of censure, which was
adopted without single disscntient vote, SO
that Mr.. Whittemore really accomplished little
for the protection Of his honor by resiSninS,
inasmuch as the censurlng resolution was a
unanimous condemnation. Those who would
have voted against expulsion felt that Wnltte-
more had made a sort Of confession oy nls
ignominious retreat before expulsion; Clarke,
and converting with the latter while the vote
OF censure was being taken, Toted aye
loudly and emphaticaly. Even before tne
vote was declared, q page was busy ruo0ing
Whittemore's name from the desk al WHICH
he sat.