New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-01
[DY TELEGRAPH TO THE Tribunal

GREAT SPEECH BY SENATOR SUMNER-A TEN
RIBLE INDICTMENT THE EFFECT IN THE
SENATE.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Summers speech
to-day surprise to tho Senate and to the gal
leries. Several days ago. he announced that before
the close of the session he should seek occasion 10
reply to the extraordinary report on the French
Arms Investigation, written by Mr.. Carpenter and
signed by the majority Of the Commit
tee, but nobody apparently expected the at
tack upon Gen. Grant and the scathing re-
view Of his Administration to which the
Senate was treated to-day After the close of the
morning hour, Mr.. Chandler made an unsuccessful
attempt to lay the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
upon the table, in order to dispose Of the Steamboat
bill. Then Mr.. Cole appealed to the Senate to
stand by him, that ho might proceed with the bill
with all dispatch when Mr., Sumner rose and moved
to indefinitely postpone the Appropriation bill, and
said that he did this that he might make re-
marks He first characterized tho report referred to
in few fitting terms, and then launched forth into
his subject, and in his impressive manner read one
Of the most direct, cutting, effective, and per-
sonal speeches ever heard IN Congress. When
he had proceeded far enough to show tho
general drift of the speech, the CONSERVATION
and anger Of the Ring Of the Administration
managers was apparent. For few minutes they sat
and scowed and looked each in the others faces then
attempted to read newspapers TO write letters This
lasted but few minutes. Mr. Carpenter after turning
uneasily his seat and splitting the back Of his
chair o few times, walked down to Mr. Conklings seat,
where the two Senators stood long time in the AISLE in
tho most earnest consultation Mr.. Sumner stopped,
marking that no would wait for the confer
ence to close. Tho Vice Presidents gayel fell once
twice, tbree tlaes, and still the conference
went on, and Mr.. Sumner was obliged TO proceed
while the two Senator's continued their conversation
Soon after they went to Mr. Coles desk and he
soon after asked Mr. Sumner to YIELD that he might
offer resolution resembling the adjournment resolution
AFTER OF half dozen took place near the
central door Of the chamber which presently broke
with many knowing mods and shakes of the head. Mr..
Conkllng then retired TO his seat where he remained
during the remainder Of tho speech reading his late
speeches In The Globe, and writing letters. Senators
Morton Chandler and the rest OF the Senatorial eaba
could Ill conceal their anger.
No notice Of this speech having been given beforehand
the galleries were not more than half full when MI.
Sumner began But the news not slow to go out
and one by the seats in the galleries were ed unit
before he closed not only every seat occupied but
the entire vacant space outside tho bar Of tho Senate
was crowded with members OF the House. Some dis
order occurred during the first hour Of the speech, but
before its close the most perfect order prevailed and
the Senator held his entire audience spell-bound.
Little comment has yet been made upon the speech,
recess of barely two hours in the session of the Senate
having taken place since its Close One Of the Oldest
Senators from New-England, friend Of Gen. Grant,
who throughout the speech wore the countenance OF
man at funeral said that II his advice given to the
Administration year ago. had been needed all OF this
'.have heon nrnuented Wo''sTn , siHnator said that
tho speech was simply terrible. wel-known repre-
sentative who ia still counted supporter Of the Adj
minisiratlon, expressed the opinion that Summers
speech would make most damaging campaign docu-
ment 10 be used against Grant
A IeauIng nemDer of tho House. ~Ae"o 'nhna"@" 20
serunu ~ that OF no other member said tonight in re-
ferrng to the speech that there but fault to be
found with It, and that that It was too true An
Administration Senator said that II was the
uest speech that he had ever known to be pronounced
in the Senate containing the strongest argument and
the best grouping that he had ever known to be ncor
porated in public address Another prominent New
England Senator said that had the President followed
the advice OF himself and others Of the older members
OF the Republican party in that body there would have
been no Cincinnati Convention, no santo Domingo no
military family no General Order swindes, and no such
speech from Senator Sumner.
After Mr. Summers Speech that OF Senator schurz
though delivered to crowded galleries this evening" and
with all his accustomed eoquence, will make little I'M
preston The report of the majority OF the French
Arms Committee, which no criticized, had before been
analysed by the people, who had read the testimony as
10 was taken from day TO day and they did not need the
Senator's mastery review to convince them how rdicu
ous were its conclusions, how preposterous were the
principles OF international law it laid down, or how In
decent were its attacks the Senators to whom 1t de-
voted so much space. 1t probably wise for Mr.
schurz to place his able and convincing protest on
record with the report, but the people did not need it,
for the case was long ago res ddjudiedt