The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-25
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Special telegram to the Dispatch

Special telegram to the Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, January "a, 1870.
The Admission OF Virginia.
The debate in the House to-day on the
motion to concur with the Senate upon the
amendments to the Virginia bill was sharp,
short, and decisive, and probably the most
exciting as well as amusing of the session.
The whole subject was disposed of in lit
lie over ON hour, during which time there
were six or seven speeches made-all of
them compact and full of well-sustained
points from the several stsnd-points of
the members who took part in the
discussion. The old quarrel between
Butler and Bingham was opened, and
each of those gentlemen made appa-
rent the fact that they have not buried
the tomahawk, but are only waiting the OPP
portunity to take the scalp. General But
Ter, like the senator from his State, has I'M
dertaken to read some Of the Republicans
out of the party, and by consequence he
has been taken to task for assuming autho-
rity and undertaking the censorship of
those of his party who differ with him.
General Logan, Mr.. Bingham, and Mr..
Farnsworth, revolted this afternoon, and
would have no more of it. They severally
attacked General Butler, and allege that
that whilst he had been Yascillating
and erratic they had been consistent
politicians and consistent Republicans. Mr..
Farnsworth was especially severe upon
General Butler, and it was acknowledged,
without reference to the merits of their
controversy, that he has made one of the
happiest efforts and speeches this afternoon
that has been listened to in the House this
session. He was exceedingly severe, yet
always parliamentary in language and
department, and his statement of facts
was conclusive; 30 much so that it
was not controverted by General Butler.
Throughout the debate, in which was
intermixed acrimony, genuine humor,
and repartee, the vast audience was
held in deep interest, and at times the
members gathered around the speakers
in crowds, the better to hear and appre-
ciate their words. The vote was taken very
quietly, and before the yeas and nays had
been announced about half the audience
and third of the members had left for
dinner, it being apparent that the only
disscnsionists upon the motion to concur
were of the Democratic side of the House,
and that the Senate bill would pass by a
large majority, and Virginia was admitted
without the slightest manifestation of feel
ing.
The burthen of Mr.. Bingham's speech
was that the conditions imposed by the
Senate amendments are void and of no eff
feet in law; that unless they are based
upon provisions of the Federal Constitution
they cannot be enforced after Virginia has
been admitted. And this was substantially
the arguments of Logan, Farnsworth, and
others, of the Republicans who joined in
the discussion, save Butler. The new Con-
stitution of that State was lauded as the
most perfect of any of the States on this
continent, and it was charged that the very
men who are here opposing her admission
are from States whose fundamental laws
compare most unfavorably with that of Fir-
GINA, and that in passing that Constitution
the latter State has added new lustre to her
name. Mr.. Bingham remarked that on our
side of the house this is the sentiment.
Butler wanted to know which party Bing-
ham belonged to. Bingham replied that
the question was uncalled-for and imperti-
ncnt; that vulgarity is not wit; can
honest mans the noblesf work. Of God
Here the Democrats applauded, and Butler,
who had ran down the isle to get off his
little query, retired discounted. Butler
complained that the House bill had been
passed by snap judgment; that advan-
tage was taken of his absence whilst of
enjoying the holidays; of detection, and
an accidental majority. He had read that
the Virginians intended to give dinner to
Bingham, and he would like to be there to
witness the sight Of these people feasting
with the man whom they had denounced as
the murderer of Mrs. Surratt. Butler said
this in q rage, and fairly foamed, as though
taken with rabies, as he Kissed it across the
hall at his particular dislike, who sat smi-
ing in derision and quietly taking q new
chew of tobacco. This was failure. But
Ter expected the House to come down
with laughter, but even his usual ready
clacquers did not respond. He agreed that
the Virginia Constitution was the best on
the continent, but it was made by the
carpet-baggers and " scalawags." The
amendments to the bill pending we're in
tended as notice to oil the world that if
Virginia failed to keep her promise she
should feel the power of Congress as GcoE-
gia now feels it. He believed Governor
Walker high-minded man, and he would
no doubt do all in his power to keep
good faith. There was no evidence Of
widespread fraud in the election. Butler
labored hard to make an impression and
excite laughter, but he failed except upon
one or two occasions when he told an
anecdote. Farnsworth took the floor, and be-
gan by saying that Butler had been crack
ing his whip across the way at him while
pitching into Bingham. He had been q
Republican from the birth of the party,
and was of that party all the time. Butler
was chasing slaves in Massachusetts under
the fugitive slave law. Laughter and ap-