New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-11

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNRl
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb TO- 1870.
The proceedings of both Houses were exceedingly live
y today arordiug deal of amusement to the people
who daily throng the galleries, and to the new members
unused to such spasmodc outbursts. Buncombe and
personalities were the order of the day. there being much
talk and little accomplished. In the Senate Mt scout leu
off with quite long speech attacking the statements
Special Commissioner Wells relative to the cost OF manu-
featuring pig iron and advocating the petition OF the
Pennsylvania manufacturers that an examination be
made to test the accuracy Of Mr. Weiss estimates MI
Sumner declined further service the Committee on the
Revision OF tho Laws OF which Mr.. COnklng is Chair
man. The bill chartering railroads to run from WASH
ington to NewYork, Pittsburgh, land Cincinnati, which
was introduced by Mr.. Sherman nearly two years SINCE
and rentroduced by Mr. Chandler yesterday was to-day
reported back favorably by the Committee on Com
merce. The Mississippi bill occupied most OF the day
Regret expressed by some that the Judiciary Com
mittee had seen proper to reopen the question: which
seemed be settled in the lease OF Virginia, by report
ing in favor OF admitting the State without conditions
while others held that the action Of the Committee was
consistent and proper. The disposition TO give per-
sonal turn all political disputes to be largely on
the increase. Mr. Stewart took occasion to drag in the
question concerning the authorship OF the cOored suffrage
clause in the first Reconstruction acts and denying Mr
Summers claim to that honor, asserted that IL belonged
Mr.. Bingham. Mr. Sumner, of course Twas compelled
to reply and read at length from his speeches and bills
costing coored suffrage. Mr.. Stewart again returned
to the attack and styled Mr. Sumner "grand theorist
but that he had practical brain whatever Mr. Drake
took occasion to nterject into this edying discussion
the remark that this Of the days Of the Senates
degradation" from which conclusion it Is certain that no
one will dissent Both Mr.. Stewart and Mr.. Sumner ex-
cused themselves by denying that either was the ag
gressor Mr. Trumbull next entered the contest and
took advantage OF the occasion 10 make reply to the
last speech Of Mr. Sumner on the Virginia bill HIS re-
marks were filed with bitter personalities against MI
Sumner. charging that gentleman with making false
statements concerning his TrumbuPs course on
Reconstruction. This personal debate was, OF
course, vastly amusing to the usual visitors
Of the gallery, who delight In nothing
SO much as when honorable Senators gnashng their
teeth and hurting and defiance at each other But
the people from the country who have traditional IDEA
Of the dignity" Of the Senate, opened their eyes wide,
and their countenances eynced apprehension that the
whole affair would end in grand display OF hstieus
At o'clock and without taking any VOTE the Senate adj
iourned evidently thinking it had glory enough for one
day. Now that debate has been opened the BILL there
is no telling when it will stop All delay might have been
avoided had IL not been that certain members OF the
Judiciary Committee desired opportunity to renew
the personalities begun in the Virginia debate
In the House. resolution calling for information con-
corning the alleged imprisonment OF American citizens IN
England which was reported from the Foreign Affairs
Committee more than a week ago, and which seems to be
more difficult be got rid Of than was the League Island
bill consumed the whole OF the morning hour today al
fordng fine opportunity for members to make captal
to influence the Fenian vote, and promises TO occupy
many morning hours before 1t is disposed Of MI Dawes
appealed to Mr. Orh, who has charge of the resolution
IN call the prevous question: and rid the House Of the
nest that business might proceed hut MI ORTIZ indg
nantly refused and debate was continued Two Demo
Gratis Schumacher Of Brookynand Haight Of NewJersey
read essays on the resolution with no one listening VIII
knson Of Minnesota also read speech on the subject
When the morning hour expired. the House went
10 work in earnest in Committee OF the Whole, on the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill,
and for two hours or more there running debate OF
the most amusing character participated in by at least
a fourth OF the members The occasion OF SO much talk
yas the clause in the bill under discussion cutting
down number and salaries Of employees around the
capitol especially Of the police force This brought out
proposition to cut down all salaries, beginning with
the membersl Of Congress, anda TO meet this Butler
moved TO strike item of $4,000 for mileage for
members. OF more than twothrds OF the House
were at up in arms against such proposition,
During the debate Of the richest Of tho SEES
sion occurred the part OF Butler the one side, and
Farnsworth, Fitch, and Cox on the other. Butler
strongly advocated in his peculiar way the discontinue
ance of mileage. Fitch and Farnsworth re-
piled pleading poverty and inability to make both
ends meet the salary paid them at. the same time
poking fun Butler and, in nsnuatng way charging
him with being OF few men who had way or OBJ
tanning money outside Of Congress Cox followed, in
very sarcastic vein with mock defense OF Butler, aud
succeeded in creating much merrment at Buffers ex-
pense Cox had the close attention OF the House, and,
during the five minutes he spoke, Butler stood almost
within reach of him. in front or the Clerks desk the most
conspicuous part of the House When Cox had finished.
bingham and Farnsworth convulsed with laughter went
TO Cox to ngratuate him. while Butler quietly walked
to his seat Judge Davis got the floor but yielded three
minutes TO Butler who calmly and after stating his
regret that his proposition should be smothered in
debate personalities referred to Fitch and Farms
WORTH stating that he was glad to inform the House
that he had the ability to make something by
his profession outside OF his duties as a MEM
Der of Congress, and 1t was not his fault If the
Almighty had neglected give Messrs Fitch and Farms
worth brains sufficient do the same. Then, pointing
to Cox, who sat Bingham, smiling contentedy. and
who il must be remembered is very small in stature,
said 1.-THE only reply he could becomingy make to the
gentleman from New-YOrk was something which he
could hear from any bootblack newsboy, or organ
grinder on the streets-namely 'shoo fly don't bodder
me-" The screams OF laughter, clapping of hands, and
other signs OF merrimen that followed are ndescrbabe.
IL completely demOrazed Cox who afterward got the
floor and opened TRADE Of abuse On Butler, but 1t
was OF no avail Butler mad the House with him, and
Cox's remarks fell fat. The bill comes up again to-
morrow.
Gen Porter the Presidents Private Secretary, and Mr.
Catherwood Corbn's son-inaw were examined to-day
by the Banking and Currency Committee The former
gentleman explained the entire satifaction of the
Committee the in which his name was mixed up
in the telegram about purchase OF gold Mr. Gather
wood underwent a very rigid examination but the Com
mittee failed to elicit anything duplicating the parties
alleged by the evidence other witnesses 10 be involved
in the gold speeulations. -.ssst.
The House Select Committee the decline OF Ameri-
commerce have abouteompeted their report and will
present it TO the House Monday 1t enters very
fully into the whole subject Of the OF the decline
Of American commerce, and makes suggestions