New-York tribune., 1872-02-26
WASHINGTON.

the u g. Senate laugh Mr.. Nye is foolish enough in
print but he is sometimes amusing on the floor; and
even Mr.. Morton, who can spoil good story more COM
petey than any other in public lfe occasionally
awakens sense Of humOr in the galleries where the
feebest OF Jokes Of welcome. But for the
readiness OF digned assemblies to laugh the smallest
provocatoD the acrimonious debates OF the past
three weeks might have led to deplorabe results
But when personal exasperaon has risen dangerous
pitch, somebody generally makes humorous point, a
fash of wit darts out somewhere, and there
follows an explosion which clears the mental
atmosphere When the discussion OF Mr.. Summers
Civil Rights amendment at its hight, and Mr. Eye
was speaking against 1t because 1t conferred equal
privileges upon Cinnamon, Mr. Carpenter put everybody
into pleasant frame of mind by remarng that readers
Of the pOetca literature OF the day well OF
the hostility between the Nye family and the Heather
Chinee. And it was Mr.. Carpenter who made what
think the most effective assault yet delivered upon
Senator Summers pending resolution Of inquiry into the
sale OF 1t before the debate had fairly opened
and when Mr. Cole trying have 1t postponed until
the Appropriation bill had been considered The resolu
tion had produced a marked effect upon the public;
the inquiry was awaited with great curiosity; and
Mr. Carpenter was shrewd enough to zee that
postponement would only strengthen suspi-
cion. In rollckng little speech Of about
FIVE minutes, he compared Mr Summers resolution TO
bombshel intended TO blow Gen. Grants administration
out of water. "Eow, Sir" he continued "the bomb
shell has been brought into this Chamber The Senator
from Massachusetts, has just lighted the fuse. desire
TO pause and await the explosion If are all blown
into fragments, there will be no occasion to pass any
appropriation bill; shall have government, sup
pose, administration, nothing, and we can take
our hats and 60 peace" 1t does not seem very
witty when you paper. but II made great deal
of fun when it spoken and helped the AdHnistra
ton more than all the three political harangues which
Senator Morton has since delivered upon the subject
Mr. schurz particularly happy in sudden retorts and
op1G
with sharp points His reply to Conkling the other day.
when the New-York Senator read from German Admin
isaOn paper to prove that the course OF MI Schurz
toward the President not approved by the German
voters, was perfect THE paper propose to quote
FROM" said Conkhng looking savagey at his adversary
published in Chicago and is called the Stats Zet0
Am rlghtP eyes Sir" instantly replied schurz, and
IL edited by the Collector Of Internal Revenue There
was burst OF laughter at this the floor as well as up
stairs and though Mr.. COnking was not disconnected
flor he is so vain that nothing puts him oue,
the quotation utterly ruined for his pur-
poses and fen upon deaf Mr.. Morton
who never speaks any subject without loud crack
ing OF the party whip, asserted last Wednesday that
since December 1870 Mr. schuz had voted on any
political question with the Republican party and chal
lenged him TO deny II. "Why," exclaimed schurz "l
| think amnesty is political measure. Tie President
recommended it, and supported it with all my might"
When the laughter with which this reply was greeted
had been subdued the Senator from Missouri continued
81 can mention another political measure for which
voted with the Republican party" "What was that y
The bill 10 investigate the corruptions Of the New York
Custom house" This created still greater amusement
"And will tell my friend OF another Republican meas
ure for which / voted--Civil Service reform"
How much longer Mr.. schurz meant to 20
on with the catalogue Of Republican measures
which he had supported and Morton openly or secretly
opposed tell, for the Indiana Senator declined
to be interrupted any longer" But his discontinue was
IIp had TTumDul
an enemy Of Civil Service reform. That brought the
Illinois statesman TO his feet and he showed that the
very system which has been adopted was tnaugurated
in an amendment offered by him TO an appropriation
bill This little dialogue can hardly have been agree
able 10 Mr. Morton, but ii added great deal OF amuse
ment to what would otherwise have been duh after
noon Mr. Morton as l said before is not lively man
in debate. He has aptitude for conflict of wits no
the gaces Of oratOry and perceptions OF states
manshp above the needs Of party caucus, and do not
think he realized the position in which he was placed by
Mr. Trumbu yesterday, when that gentleman showed
by how low standard Morton measured every import
ant subject that up for discussion In the Senate
Mr. TTumbu read an extract from speech OF Patrick
Henrys the suit of old farmer who just after the
surrender Of the British army at Yorktown, brought an
action to recover the value of two steers taken by the
patriot troops in the darkest hour Of the Revolution
After describing the suferngs Of the war, and the
triumph Of its glorious close the orator in words some
thing ike these connued "But, bark what discord
ant sound profanes the temple Of jOyi What harsh
voice breaks in upon the general reoicng 1t is the
voice OF John Shook, crying through the victorious
camps Beef, beef beef7'" "And So" said Mr. Trum
bull whatever great subject comes before u.s. be IL the
settlement of great principles, or the reformation OF
scandaous abuses the voice Of the Senator from
Indiana crying Party, party party!" 1t was fair
hit and Mr. Morton hardly repaid il in full when nt-
mating that Trumbu ready 10 take nomination
either party he described him as having his back
chalked all over, 'Bark1s is willing"
The most interesting scenes, however, have been be-
tween schurz and COnkinR The latter gentleman is
not pleasant object contemplate in debate. because
he is not only nsOlent but vulgar He is ready speaker
never at loss for language selpossessed clearheaded
ouc enough of apprehension, and blessed with strong
voice But his overbearng manner has made hm the
most unpopular in the Senate, and he carries In
debate to an extreme almost beyond belief His rasping
tones are singular mingng Of the nasal snarl OF the
traditional New-York hoy with the solemn infections
Of preachers and though they are disagreeabe at al
times they are specially and incomparably odlous when
empoved las they are every day. to convey insult to
one OF his associates In answering political opponent
Il ia his custom 10 give the lie as nearly as he can
ithout beipe called 20 ORDER and sometimes he gives
pont blank Replying schurz for instance the other
day he represented that gentleman as saying that nc
had trod the field In the presence OF thoussnu men
and his heart had not quaed" Now l have dlstihet
recollection OF the Missouri orators language ana
know and all who present know that what ne du
say was precisely this On the paths OF duty whcn
have followed have met more dangerous men than the
Senator from New-York and If there were thousand Oh
them INV heart would not quail" Mr.. schurZ rose al
once and made the correction, giving the words nave
quoted Conkng stared at him during the interrupuoh
then turned around brought his fist down upon the aes
and exclaimed-I had almost said shouted" now M
President, the Senator did NOT say thatP Ana
4 ,fa1tff