Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-03-03

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parchment trial. But its result has
been such as to signify to the people Of
the Union that integrity and willingness
to rebuke those who violate the funda.
mental principles of our government "still
live" in the Congress of the United States
Some time since, "those newspaper men,
those fellows who hang around here and
write lies for the newspapers" as Ben
Butler is pleased to call correspondents Of
the press, intimated that the law by which
a representative held the right to appoint
cadetship in his district for the school
at West Point and the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, had been violated inasmuch as
representatives had appointed boys out OF
their district, and what was worse, had ac-
cepted pecuniary consideration therefor
When this scandalous report came
back to Congress it was noticed, and by
resolution the committee on military af.
fairs were instructed to investigate the
matter ard make report to the House
One of the results of this investigation
was the reported guilt of B. f. White
more, "a carpet Dagger" from the first
Congressional district of South Carolina
The announcement of his guilt by the
committee startled every one who knew
the intelligent, sedate and ministerial
gentleman. His moral and christian de-
pertinent here had placed him above all
suspicion But those who knew General
Logan, the chairman of the committee,
could not for moment doubt that the
evidence of his guilt was conclusive.
To give the accused a chance to make
a defense, the resolution introduced by
the committee, that he be expelled from
his seat in the House, was laid upon the
table and made the special order for yes
terday at o'clock p. m. At the APP
pointed time it was brought up, when
Mr.. Poland asked that the action on the
case be again postponed, but this was
strongly opposed by Gen. Logan, who in
sisted that inasmuch as the man was
guilty and did not deny that be was
guilty, he insisted that his case be tried
then and there. Then up popped Ben
Butler and tried his hand at call sorts of
twisting and turning" claiming to be an
attorney for the accused. He raised
points of ORDER others did the same,
the Speaker deciding upon them with as
tonishing rapidity, and some sharp spar
ring passed between Butler and Gen. Lo-
gan.
But the latter was too much for the hero
of Fort Fisher. He was intrenched on
the side of justice.and right, and all the
attacks of bombast, ridicule and sarcasm
which Mr.. Butler could invent did not
disturb him. 1t was evidently a task
which Gen. Logan hated to perform, to
report against one who had been his warm
personal and political friend, but his deep
sense of justice compelled him to do It.
He displayed a noble but characteristic
trait of his character when he told the
House that if they in passing a resolu-
ton instructing him to investigate and
report the facts in this matter intended
he should not do so-that they did not
want the facts in the case-they sub
mitted the matter to the wrong man when
they gave him the charge of it, for he
claimed to have nerve aud independence
enough to do right, and would labor fear
lessly for its maintenance. After Mr..
Butler had talked his hour, Gen. Logan
took the floor and completely demolished
every position taken by his cunning and
quick shifting adversary. It was evident
that the House, az we'll as the densely
packed galleries, were in sympathy with
him.
All pitied Mr.. Whittemore, but were
rejoiced at the independence and manifest
of Gen. Logan. Some pitied
Mr.. Butler, that he should have so signal
ly failed to show one reason why the man
should not be expelled At the con-
clusion of Gen. Logan's remarks he moved
the previous question, which was about
being put when Mr.. Whittemore, who had
been an interested listener to the whole
debate, asked that he might be heard
again, and begged that he might have till
this morning to prepare his remarks.
To this Gen. Logan kindly yielded and
the House adjourned, but with the under
standing that it should take this question
up for its first business. Accordingly to-
day at twelve o'clock it was taken up.
Mr.. Whittemore rose to speak, but as
he did so he sent note to the Speaker
his resignation as member of
he House. On reading this Mr.. Blaine
,alled Mr.. Whittemore to order and in
sisted that inasmuch as he had resigned
ais seat he had no right to speak This
brought out more sharp discussion, which
resulted in the adoption of resolu-
ton introduced by Gen. Logan,
that Mr.. Whittemore had made
of cadets in violation of
aw, being induced to do so by improper
'ecuniary considerations, and was there
ore unworthy to be member Of The
LOUISE. MS was UNANIMOUSLY adoptad |
80 members voting .a
But this, it is thought, is not the end of
he matter. Others are being interviewed
y this committee. A gentleman from
kentucky who favors reputation, Mr..
taiiaway, is said to be on the anxious
eat, as is also Mr.. Butler of Tennessee
Ind 1t may not end here-for this "news-
aper man" will take occasion here to re.
ort rumor now afoat, that Secretary of
Var Schofield was not only cognizant of,
ut member to recommend lad, son of
General Taylor, who resides outside of
ae District, of this member, and that
honey was paid for the recommendation !.
1t may well be said that the end "a not
ct. 81 . noe
More anon-but no more now az tbo
'ceptlon at the White House and AZ
'oolableD Of the New England Assoc;a.
On are to come off fhic o,xo... !,