Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-02-29
FOrty-SeCond Congress
wAsu1SerON, February as.
SENATE,
SECOND SESSION.

/ " FA141AGAONf AIA-T -
sEzATE.
Senator Cole moved to take up the
bill to lease to San Francisco part Of
the Preside Reservation for a public
park, but the bill was not taken up.
| Senator Logan, from the committee
on elections, reported adversely to the
claim of General Abbott to seat as
senator from North Carolina.
Senator Carpenter, for himself and
Senator Rice, made q minority report
/ in favor of General Abbott.
Senator Cole asked that the senate
dispose Of all pending resolutions, so
as to hear the reports Of the commit
tee on appropriations,
At the expiration of the morning
| hour the senate resumed the consider
alton OF the resolution to investigate
the alleged sale Of arms to French
agents.
Senator Summer addressed the sen.
ate. He said: Besides the unaccus-
toned interest which this debate has
| excited, cannot fail 10 note that it
| has wandered far from any original
purpose of mine, and into Fields which
have no desire to enter. I shall try
| to bring il back to the real issue, which
hope to present without passion or
prejudice; and here, sir, declare what
Is the only rule OF my life, that in
what say to-day there shall not be a
single word uttered which is not
prompted by the love of truth and a
desire for justice, but veBtnre to ask
you to remember that there is soue-
thing on this planet besides the senate
OF any senator; something besides
any high officials; something higher
than sny political party. mean the |
good name Of the American people \
and tie purity of the government, |
which must be saved from scandal. |
In This spiritand with this Inspiration |
speak to-day.
Senator Sumner then referred to the |
late events in New York, and said /
that there now was cry for reform /
everywhere Of the abuses developed /
in the ordnance Office, and were the /
subject of universal scandal. It was
time that something should be done to
arrest the suspicion thrown upon our
officials. His resolution hSd been met |
by various objections. he had been
charged with introducing politics, and
illusions had been made TO the presi-
Dental election.
Senator Logan interrupted, and ask
ed that ladies be permitted TO occupy
the cloak rooms.
Senator Hamlin objected, saying
that two feld-days in one session was
enough. Murmurs Of disapproba,
tiOn.I
Senator Sumner continued. He was
earnest for reform in the civil service
and should always vote for every in
quiry having that object in view. He
had never heard Of this matter until
weeks after the meeting OF congress.
end then from distinguished native
born citizen, who had not been men.
toned in debate. He did not believe .
that the introduction Of the resolution
would prejudice the German Emperor
On the San Juan question ,as the whole
matter was known in perlin long be-
lore the introduction Of the resolution
n the senate.
The senator referred to the Alabama !
slaims, and said If our demands against
England could not be prosecuted ex- 3
'ept at the expense Of the purity of c
)ur own government they were not =
worth the terrible price. Hs then =
urned to the pending resolution and :
ald that It presented the general
question whether there is not sufi- G
'lent reason for inquiry into the sale
)f arms during the French and Ger c
nan war, This Neutrality divided z
tself into two questiOns-First, the Z
elation to international duty, and =
econd, relating to mtsfeasanee on tke I
)art of our own officials and involving r
Vhat might be called the money cues G
ion, Senator Sumner discussed both 4
hese questions at some length (
md SAID an investigation could =,
lot be refused without setting at a
letisnee all rules Of deoency 3
nd oommonssense, tl
The question was then put on 3,
senator Trumbull's motion to eonsid- 4
7 the vote by 'Shieh Senator COnk- .
lDg's amendment, directing the COM 4
1ittee to inquire whether any Amer / n
3an senator or citizen had held unau \
horized communication with any for 9
ign government or its. agent, was $
dopted and the motion was lost =!
a3S1 20 Paw "a = =
onsider were Senators Ferry, logan, = !,
prague, Trumbull and West. SEN q
tors Sumner and SchuIz did not vote d
t all "a
Senator Harlan replied briefly to .
enatOr Sumner. He said all the so r.
allied evidence introduced to justify s
be investigation was of French orr ls
in. He regret Il to zee Senator SAM CT
er make a convenience Of the senate
4 the interest of an agent of foreign
over. de then discussed at length d
be history of the general order busi- :
ess in New York.
Senator Schurz offered an amend ?,
lent to the pending resolution in 81
tructing the committee to inquire rs
lso whether breeeh-lo8C ing muskets,
T other muskets eapaole of being q
transformed into breeeh-lOadeTs, have 81
cen sold by the war department In b
uch large numbers as seriously to +,
feet the defensive condition of the cl
Ountry in case of war. n
Senator Carpenter obtained the floor, A
at yielded TO q motion to adjourn, \
nd without further ae ion the senate u
1iOf1rund