New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-17
TIE GREAT DEBATE.
ATOMS OF THE HOUsE-FRAGMENTs OF
WESTERN ELOQUESCE-A REBuKE TO TIE


Personal SKETCHES OF THE DEBAIERS-TliE
ADoNIS OF THE H0UsE-fRAGMENTS OF
WESTERN ELOQUENCE-A REBuKE TO TIE
MILITARY RING.
lFROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNRl
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The lesson of last
December has been altogether lost upon the leaders
~ fine Administration party in the Senate, though even
vet they have not seen full Significance BY the heat
and peuance with which they rebuked Mr. Sumner for
intcrrupting the calm progress OF an appro-
pration bill 10 bring forward an inquiry
into such trhlng matters suspected
,r,ud Of Government officers to the extent of four
millions explained discrepancy of two or three
,iliions in the Government accounts ana possible
violation " oar neutral obligations toward Germany ut
fine very time when pressing our Alabama
claims upon Great Britain they have managed to con-
vey the impression that any Senator who wanted to
know you know" anything about the proper admins
trlon Of national affairs, cOnspirator against
cen. Grant and a malignant and desperate adversary
of the Republican party. Still they have
not yentired directly TO oppose inquiry as
they did before. With confessed unwilling
ness and angry proe s they accept the resolution, be-
cause as they virtually acknowledge they dare not go
before the country again with pail OF whitewash But
they threaten vengeance. 1--WE have got TO let the reso
luton pass for looks sake; but wait till we catch you
alone - :" 1t blow at our candidate, shout the Adj
miustratiOn leaders in chorus. IL is dastardy rlck
Of the French legation" cries Mr. Harlan. " Ii is pO-
lca Job" exclam Cole, and Sherman. and Carpenter,
who lie awake nights. one would think, qiaklng with
apprehension lest politics get into the United states
Senate.
The introduction of the resolution on Monday was not
wholly unexpected, for the business had been long
talked OF in quiet way but the preamble of Mr. sum
ner was probably stronger than the adversarles Gts
somebody called the Administration party pfooaDiy
thought 1t would he. Certainly 1t made very marked
sensation. When it up for action on wednesday
Mr Carpenter led the Administration ranks. 10
n visitor entering the gallery, Mr. Carpenter is
always the most conspicuous member OF the sen
ate He is neither so venerable as MI
Flanagan nor handsome as Mr. CoDklihg,
but having desk next the middle aisle he commonly
sits In the passage way opposite the Speaker holding MS
foot in his lap and this attitude, together WIN hir
Young and ford face. his flowing gray hair tousled
LITTLE over the forehead aud his heavy gray mliStache
makes him q rather picturesque object. Mr. Carpenter
oppressed with general puliness OF constitution ana
a tightness AZ ont the wastcoat. where there Is
always n palpable struggle Of his SHIRT 10 set
outside. He bOunces "a good deal about the chu"-
her He ready in speech quick at exteporaneous oe
bate repOsseSng also in manner AS forensic speahe
and humorous without buffoonery. He said little
Wedncs day but that little was funny ana whe hc
urged the Senate let Mr. sumner fire of his bomp'he
at once 80 that II the Administration was to be DloWh
ont OF water il might at least be spared the agony Oh
suspense and the unnecessary trouble OF passing appro
pation bills, It evident that he ooui make himself
u very uncomfortable adversary sueh disposition
as there was TO postpone the inevitable ihVes'i
CATION soon vanished before the good-hatured
assumptions Of Mr.. Carpenter ana the
vigorous language of Senator Upton VulSafy
and irreverently known IN the gallery as the lp'oh
Slasher" Mr. Upton Is remarkable Tor hlsh soprano
voice. extremely eccentric delivery ana perhaps
stI more eccentric appearance; all which characters
ties instead OF deractng from the npressivenesS OF Ms
speeches. render them the contrary, still more iorc
bic and Interesting Upton Is In the habit OF making
things strong Sometimes he clinehes point with
great deal Of w.t. I'd lac fairly brought down the mousse
When, wit. IA curions dramatic intonation he warned
s,uatI,s VITO at..ued 10 evade this inquiry that they