Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-29
BY TELEG
TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty Second Congressional Session.
w AsUINGToS, 29.

AL lnp efIlTStlDn VI TIVE iilDFHIliS UhuT Iit
Senate resumed the consideration Of the res.
olution to Investigate the alleged sales Oi
arms TO French agents
Mr. Sdmner then addressed the Senate
He said that besides the unaccustomed inter
est this debate had excited, | cannot fail to
notice that it has wandered far from any
original purpose of mine, and into fields
which have no desire to enter. shall try
to bring it 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 what say to-day, there shall
not be a single word which is not prompted
by the love of truth, and desire of justice.
But venture to ask you to remember that
there is something on this planet besides the
Senate, or any Senator; something besides
any high officials something higher than
any political party. | mean the good name
Of the American people and the purity of the
government, which must be saved from
scandal. In this spirit and with this aspira-
ton speak to-day. Look first at the cir
cumstances which surround US. An aroused
community in the Commercial Metropolis of
the country has succeeded in overthrowing
corrupt ring. Tammany at last has been
overtbrown, and here good democrats Wed
with republicans. The country thrilled with
the victory and demanded that should be ex-
tended. Then came movements against
abuses of the civil service, and especially in
that another Tammany society-the New
York Custom House. After a debate pro-
tracted for days an investigation was ordered.
and the newspapers have been since loaded
with the odious details. Everywhere there
is now a cry for reform. That is the unyer-
sal voice of the country ffom New York to
New Orleans.
The resolution of the French Assembly
showing that suspicious against American
officials had arisen abroad, and asking that
the result of the inquiry which it was as
sumed would be made should be commun:
Gated to the French government would alone
be enough to justify the Senate in ordering
an investigation. But with this cumulative
and convincing testimony from six different
sources, an investigation could not be re-
fused without setting a defiance the rules of
decency and common sense.
Mr.. Sumner in conclusion, discussed the
charge that these sales of arms impaired the
defensive capacity of the country, and also
what he called the money question.
The question was then put on Mr.. Trum-
bulls question to reconsider the vote by
which Mr.. Conklings amendment directing
the committee TO inquire whether any Amer
ican Senator or citizen had held unauthor-
lied communication with any foreign govern
ment or its agent, was adopted, and the mo-
ton was lost
The republicans who voted to reconsider
were Messrs. Ferry, Logan, Sprasue, Trum-
bull and West.
Mr.. Harlan referred to the statement made
by Mr.. Schurz from the report Of the chief OF
ordnance. that there were only l0, 900 breach
loading arms in the arsenal for Issue. lie
said that it referred only to the arms of the
Of 1894 and abIpI that no had
ceived this morning from the Secretary OF
War, a statement showing that there was in
store in aggr rate. $50 900 arms exclusive OF
those in the hands Of troops. He then re-
piled briefly to Mr.. Sumner He called at
tention to the fact that all the so-called evil
dence introduced to justify the pending reso-
luton was of French origin, and said it con-
frmed the opinions expressed at the COM
mencement OF the debate that this whole pro-
ceeding had been instigated by French
agent, in the hope that it might il in some
way serve the French interests.
The Senate without action at half-past four
adjourned.
House.
Mr. Ely of n. Y, offered a resolution of
inquiry as to the detention of mails on the
Pacific railroad. Referred.
The House then proceeded to the business
on the Speakers table and passed large
number of minor bills including the Senate
bill for the sale of barracks at lIolton, Wis
The Senate bill to extend land to the State
of Wisconsin to complete a road from Lake ST.
Croix to Lake Superior was opposed by Mr..
Holman as making virtually new grant of
land of 1000, 600 acres, the old grant having
expired three or four years ago.
Mr. IIazleton of Wis, stated the facts in
~ 4 4 l,I,.~ a..
the grant was renewed the land would not
revert to the government but be gobbled up
by the Northern Pacific railroad.
Messrs. Banks, Rusk, Eldridge and Beck
also advocated the bill, the latter stating
that in common with all the democrats of the
House but six, he had voted on a similar bill
some sessions ago to extend the time of the
Northern Pacific railroad. The previous
custom was seconded.
Mr.. Holman of Ind, moved to table the
bill negativ, do to 9S.
Mr.. Holman asked unanimous consent for
further debate for an hour.
Mr.. Peters of Me-, objected.
Mr.. Holman asked Mr.. Rusk who had
charge of the bill to let an amendment offered
providing that the grant be construed to APP
ply to such lands only as enure TO the benefit
of the Northern Pacific Railroad, if the act
was not passed.
Mr.. Rusk declined, and after several votes
by yeas and nays on intermediate questions
and dilatory motions, the House without
reaching final vote adjourned.
News from New York.
New York, %. Eleven jurors have been
obtained in The Hall case.
Fisks horses, carriages, &C.. were sold al
auction to-day; about so horses bringing
prices from $500 to $500. The total was
| about $1,000.
| In the first of u suits against the Atlantic
| Mail Company the aggregating penalties
amounting to $4,000 on allegations tina
cigars had heen landed from its vessels with
out the payment of duty, Judged Woodruff
has given a decision in favor OF the Unitet
States.
| Ex-Judge Troy of Brooklyn has sued thu
Brooklyn Eagle for 5000 alleged libel.
| Henry Coulter of Pittsburg has accepted
the challenge OF Ellis Ward, TO row tiv,
mile race for one thousand dollars side OF