The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-29
Xesterday-The senate UIatlnee-
Tho House Miscellany.

Congress xesterday-The senate uatsnes-
The House Miscellany.
The entertainment furnished by the Senate
to the residents and visitors at Washington
continues to draw crowded houses. Hamlin,
of Maine, whom Parson Brownlow used to
describe as Stree negro" was ungallant
enough yesterday to interpose an objection
to the admission of ladies to the orchestra
seats, and, consequently, those future voters
and politicians were forced to squeeze their
way into the galleries or to wander over to the
deserted galleries of the House. Mr.. Sumner
took the leading role yesterday, and acquitted
himself very creditably. He denied that, in
introducing the resolution, he was actuated by
political motives or intended any effect on
the Presidential election, and protested that
in this matter, as In all other acts of bis pub
lie life, he was governed by love of truth
and justice. He declared that he spoke for
the good name of the American people and for
purity OF government, which must be saved
from scandal. He alluded to the general de-
moralization in public life, instancing the case
of the Tammany Ring, and the abuses and
corruptions ID that other Tammany-the Gus
tom House of this city-and said that when he
heard of the abuses in the Ordnance Depart
ment, in connection with the sale of arms to
France, 1t seemed to him as If the neutral
duties of this government had been put into
the hands of mere money-seekers and official
jobbers; and, therefore, he felt that, as the
thing became known and was universal
scandal, 1t was time that something should be
done to arrest the suspicion cast upon our Of
fcials, and 1t should be done so thoroughly
be any imputation Of whitewash. This speech
of Mr.. Summers must have been q disappoint-
ment to those who expected to hear an angry
political harangue from him. 1t seems to have
been the most dignified and creditable speech
made in the whole course Of this Senate de-
bate It would have been we'll If Mr.. Harlan,
who followed him on behalf of the administra-
ton, had taken lesson in moderation and
good sense from the speech of the Massachu-
sets Senator. 1t was unfortunate, we think,
that such man, whose own official integrity
does not stand very high in public estimation.
should have been put forward as the defender
of the administration in this matter. We sufd-
GENTLY indicate the tone and substance of bis
speech when we say that he undertook to de-
fend the general order denominations in this
city and to say that the outcry against them
proceeds from foreign manufacturers. There
seems to be some prospect of this long debate
coming to close within q few days. A vote
was taken yesterday on reconsidering the vote
adopting Conklings amendment extending
the proposed inquiry so far as to ascertain
whether any United States Senator has been
in collision with any agent Of the French gov
eminent in this matter but the Senate re-
fused to reconsider it-yeas 10, nays 20.
If the Senate does not hurry up with tho
Investigation, if it is to have one-which ap.
pears at present rather unlikely-the wind
will be taken out of its sails by the House, ono
of whose committees enters to-day upon the
inquiry into the sale of these arms aud ord
nance stores to France. Mr.. Lynch, of Maine.
rather indiscreetly proposed a resolution yes
terday looking to an investigation of Messrs.
Schurz aud Summers supposed relations with
the French and Prussian governments, but upon
being called upon by Mr.. Dawes to state the
ground of his charge he offered to withdraw
that part of the resolution. Mr.. Hooper, of
Massachusetts,, objected to the reception Of
the resolution at all.
Mr.. Dwight Townsend, of this city, made
;nk:, ,rh olf b,x
ridiculous proposition to refer the American
claim for consequential damages to John
Bright; but Mr.. Roberts, of this city, put q
quietus on that by prompt and decided OBJ
lection, in which he was backed by Mr..
Dawes.
The bill to facilitate bank Clearing House
exchanges was discussed briefly and with q
general comprehension of Its points, and was
recommitted to the Committee on Banking and
Currency, which is the last that will be heard
of it at this session.
There was another clearing made of the
business on the Speakers table, and some fili-
clustering over the renewal of land grant
bill for railroad in Wisconsin. The final
vote was STAYED of, but will be taken to-day,
and will result in the passage of the bill
The Commercial Policy and Tariff DiMs
culties Of France.
The European Powers which have CONNER.
cial treaties with France are about to forward
to Versailles joint protest against the passage
of any French parliamentary measure impos-
ing tax on articles of raw material to be
used in manufacture. This statement reaches
us from London and Paris by cable telegram.
England and Belgium are the Powers which
will be affected directly, Immediately and
unproftably, should the government of the
French republic be enabled to carry out sue
cessfully its idea Of return to or towards the