The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-29
WASHINGTON.
The , french Musket Muss i'm
the Senate.
Sumner Coming Back to First
Principles.
HART,AN PEPPERING SCHURZ
:. TIE FRENCH SPY" IN THE HOUSE.
The NeYth Carolina SenatOrShib Majority
Report Adverse to Abbott.
>~-~~~>~~-~-~~->--
.DWIs1T TOWNSHIPS BRIGHT IDEA.
WISCONSIN Railroad Land
Grants.
sDWIsaT TOWNSHIPS BRIGHT IDEA.
WISCONSIN Railroad Land
Grants.
The Silk Manufacturing Interest
Wanting Protection.
; OVERLAPPING THE lRON-CLADS.


summer Once More the French Arms Qucs-
tion-Harlan Putting His Back 70 the Ad-
uinistrntiOn Wall.
There was the promise OF another field day In the
Senate this morning, but when General Logan asked
that the cloak rooms be thrown open to the ladies
the venerable Senator from Maine was prompt with
IN ungallant objection, and so Mr.. Sumner was CON-
PEELED to proceed with his task OF summing up the
case without the background OF beauty and fashion
he had every reason to anticipate. Summers speech
was model or Its kind, beng calm, dignided and
scholarly in all its parts, and notably free from the
vulgar political captrap IN which 1t Is the fashion
for both sides or the Senate to indulge. He began
with eloquent defence OF his friend the MARQUIS
de Cnambrun, speaking of him as being related oy
Ies OF blood and marriage Americas two great
friends Lafayette and DE Tocquevllle and as broad
In his svmpathles with the American people. Cham
brun, Mr.. Sumner said came to this country IN 1865
and soon after his arrival spent several days with
President Lincoln at the front In Virginia, Joining
che President only TWO days after the fall Of Rich
mOnd and returning to Washington to weep with
The nation over the work OF the assassin. The Sen
RtOr declared that he had learned nothing from the
Marquis in relation to the sale OF arms to France
previous the introduction OF his resolution; but,
an American Senator, he claimed the right TO Cd.
tam information from any quarter to be used IN the
discharge OF his duty.
original Intention Of the inquiry, and Mr.. Sumner
having distinctly abandoned the charge OF a dis
Crepancy between the accounts OF the Treasury and
the War Department. nothing remains. Mr.. Sum.
ner lapOred very hard to fix the charge OF furnish
ing arms to France upon the War Department, by
quoting over and over again the words OF Reming-
toms letter. but he lett the whole subJect much
weaker than upon the first assault.
Mr. Harlan TOOK the floor In response, and
clO Chon 1hrun with inst otfnnr hi
TIE rest OF his speech concerned TIE general
prder'' business and other political TOPICS and con-
Bumed as much time in It's delivery as the elaborate
argument Of Mr.. Sumner. Mr.. Harlan's speech
was much commended for Its strong
vense and the fearlessness displayed in
defending the administration from the attack
OF Its enemies. Mr.. Schurz mace a short re-
ply still further developing his new position, by
which he seeks to show tnat the Ordnance Depart
ment continued the sale or arms, although he sup
ply on hand was not sufficient for the necessi-
ties OF our own service. 1t is probable
that a conclusion OF the question Will be reached
tomorrow, though this Is by no means certain
Mr.. Carpenter has the floor, and the discussion may
be prolonged for two or three days yet.
The vote on the motion TO reconsider the vote
adopting Mr.. Conkling's resolution providing for an
inquiry into the conduct OF Senator'S as wen as
other officials In this matter, showed the recall
Citrant republicans TO stand much the same as in
the beginning OF the session. Ferry OF Connecticut,
Logan, Robertson, Schurz, Sprague, Sumner,
Upton and Trumbull voted Tor reconsideration,
while Sawyer, VINO votes both ways went
against 1t. When the resolution passes
1t viii be much eliminated from Its
original offensive shape, ana care viii be
taken not 10 let the blunder OF the House creep
into 1t. Mr.. Lynch, in his haste to forestall the
purposed investigation OF the Senate and at the
tp,at IN SprVa al fn gtr af actpn wi
such precipitation passing his resolution through
the House Monday That the part OF the senate
resolution which is most offensive was adopted.
The House resolution was copied to some extent
from Mr.. Summers elaborate production, and pro-
vides tor inquiry into the parties interested in
the purchase well as the sale OF arms, and the
sums received and paid by them. This is regarded
as an investigation IN behalf OF the Marquis de
Cnambrun and OF France, and 1t has brought the
Investigation by the House Committee on the War
Department to a sudden stand An effort was made
to-day TO amend IT, but SO lar without success. The
whole business Is q nuisance ana every body Is be-
coming convinced that the action OF nett ner house
has any significance and that even as partisan
measure II Is trivial.
The House French Purchase Inquiry.
William Williams, or Indiana, chairman OF the
\ suddenly important Committee on Expenditures IN
! the War Department, expresses his intention 10
a
I n,ted States during the period OF the Franco
q erman war, and Will summon Senators Sumner
al I'd Schurz before the Committee to tell all they
kn ow at an early day. The Secretary OF War and
thu Chef OF Ordnance VIII also he examined at
ien 9Th very soon.
The House and Withdrawing Our Case.
Il ne temper OF Congress In regard TO the with
drs wal OF our cease" before the Geneva Tribun al
was well illustrated to-day the House 10y the re-
II Mr. nv'u Tnxvn
luton. The Introduction OF the resolution was Oh
iectaN to by several Representatives but as in adj
aitior TO the contemplated withdrawal OF the case
Mr. rcwnsend wanted the whole question submit
ted 70 rfle arbitration or John Bright the objections
NJ Mr. william r Roberts, OF New York, were
urged with much viger. This action though il
was upoH an ill-advised resolution, Is considered
very Important az indicating what action The House
NAV take i, the subject Is devoved upon Congress:
by ahe President as is now contemplated.
Overhnuliug the Rotten-D eclSed Iron-Clads
The Chief of the Bureau Of Construction and Re-
pnr of the Navy Department. in his last annual re-
port to- Secretary Robson, says hat the deck beams
of ainost all the small class OF ron-clads are very
much decs yed but 1t is not advisable 10 replace the
rotten bealus except something unforeseen calls for
their SERVICES In the opinion OF the secretary OF
tue Navy that time has come, and to-day orders
were issued 10 Immediately proceed with thorough
SDyerhauing or ten oil the most available ron. clads
Nad TO put In new decks, new deck beams
a, VI new wood work to The overhangings. with
IbesN repairs II Is supposed they VIII
then e AZ good Tor practical service as new. 1ne
comma udants OF the several navy yards where the
tron.claa are laid up are instructed 10 proceed
without DC Sy In executing the orders OF the Depart
ynept Seer, Nary Robson Will also ask the Com
mit,ee on App vopranons TO consider the proprety