The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-06
WASHING TON.
Amnesty and FOOlery In
Both Houses.
Carpenter and Sumner Wear.
ing the Cap and Bells.
The House Wasting Time Over a
Drawing for Seats.

G00UB0-S0M0eg
pointer n Nesrs BarIesauc- Edmunds and
vIekers SceIdiss.
In the Senate amnesty dragged its weary length
along" The morning hour was wasted In recrmi-
nation between Senators Edmunds ana vickers the
former having called the latter to account az late
hour on Thursday last after an executive session,
for leaving the senate without quorum. Mr.. Rob
ertson. who has sadly bungled In his management
81 the Amnesty bill, showing parliamentary
tneapacity which would shame q boy IN an
soademical debating club, moved TO lay the
bal on the table, but was unable to get
vote. His object was to get rid Of
the pending measure, and then substitute another
moro recently passed by the House. Debate sprung
up OF once Mr. Norwood, the new Senator from
Georgia. taking occasion to air his Tears that Mr..
summers Civn rights amendment became law the
people OF that State would at once rush into
mixed" marriages. At least this was the taunting
criticism made on the Senator's eI0rt by both Sena-
tori Wilson and P0mer0y. After they got through
sparring, Mr.. Sumner Tor the nth time during this
discussion took the floor for q set speech. Mr..
Carpenter was the victim OF the Massa.
chusetts Jupiters criticism for having
expressed An opinion that the civil rights amend
ment was unconstitutional In detail and scope.
MI. Sumner rung the changes Cd Carpenters OBJ
jections In hts most aggressive STYLE and then
charged the Wisconsin Senator with being false to
the principles OF the Declaration OF Independence,
an instrument OF the virtue OF which Mr.. Sumner
has come TO be regarded as the especial champion.
He has never forgiven Mr.. Carpenter for having
spoken of that instrument as Revolutionary
pr0nunciamento." In BRIEF the latter got
. magnificent sc0ldng, and appeared to
enjoy it as q good joke; bus In replying
70 the criticism Mr.. Carpenter took or his
gloves. He announced that slavery had been abOl.
ona<Stn eAo vvo1l 1tot1o opnho
and he would neither apply nor submit to the
HASH. He retorted in Q witty and effective manner
BY declaring that Summers support Of the Declare
uOn was onset by his submission Of unconstitu-
tOnal proportions In fact. that this character
was necessary TO gain Mr.. summers support Mr..
Carpenter also showed that before presenting q
substitute and making q criticism to the
amendment he stated TO Mr.. Sumner his
legal objections TO the proportion as
framed and asked him to modify It, With consid-
cradle humor and some spirit, Mr. Carpenter pro.
ceeded 70 cauterze tine position OF Mr.. Sumner and
responded TO his assault in q way that seemed to
strike the assailant "a rather audacl0us Mr. Sum-
ner responded at first rather lamely for him, but
wound up with an eloquent apostrophe to the con-
stitution, closing by saying that "he was false TO
she constitution who did not interpret 1t In the
spirit OF the instrument" Mr. Sherman took the
moor after the sc0ding was over, but gave way Tor
amouon to 60 into executive session.
The House squnbblins AO0ut Scats-New
Departure Observation-Disclosures Hard
Shells Left.
The whole dav was spent in the House over
contest about the drawing OF seats. For the
last three or four Mondays the time OF the House
? has been wasted by members VINO have poor seats
urging redraw. The Committee on Rules, OF
which the Speaker is the Chairman. had instructed
Mr. Cox, OF that committee TO report resolution
providing that when seats were drawn it should
be for the Congress-, with proviso that
this rule should not apply to the Forty
second Congress. Thcreupon q motion was
made by Judge Poland, OF Vermont, to strike out
The prOviso with view TO bringing the matter to
an issue and prevent further repettions OF the re-
cent practice. Then minor bedlam was let loose.
Motions and crossmotons and calls for counts,
divisions, yeas and nays followed in quick success
sion, each side intent on gaining the point at
between the ms and outs OF good Three hours
were spent In this wav, but 1t was ruled by
The Speaker that q motion to suspend the
rules would take precedence OF all other motions,
when political contest was begun about the last
three amendments to the constitution, which finally
ended in the endorsement Of the validity OF these
amendments upon a motion Of Mr.. Brooks, only
twenty-five members voting against It, This has no
significance except In developing the fact that the
division Of the democratic party the depart
ure still exists Notwithstanding the good sense OF
Mr.. Brooks motion and the political force OF Mr..
COx's tactics. The question OF seats was entirely
lost sight Of but 1t Is understood that draw will
be had some day this week.
baltimore Harbor Improvement.
The House Committee on Commerce heard Mr.
Garrett, President OF the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road. IN support OF the appropriations asked by the
Maryland delegation for the Improvement of the
harbor Of baltimore. Mr.. Sheldon rather nonplussed
Mr.. Garrett by telling him he would support the
proposition II MIR. Garrett would consent TO accom-.
modate the travelling public by providing for the
transfer OF passengers through Baltimore without
change OF cars or rehandling of baggage. Mr. Gar
rett did not say whether he would consent to such
'dicker."
The Clayton Investigation.
The Clayton investigation occupies the Special
COMMITTEE every morning. So far 1t Is claimed by
one side that the Senator has been annhilated and
that the report will unseat him. aud by the Senator's
friends, that so far all the testimony relied upon to
prove corruption and malfeasance is merely or q
hearsay character, only accepted Professionally not
yet made matter OF record and liable to be ruled
out by the committee Mr. Clayton has not yet put
In any reputtng testimony declares that all the
accusations against him will be dlsproved entirely
when he does.
New York and Mexico steamer subsidy.
Mr.. Harvey B. Calkins, OF New YORK. appeared
before the Senate Committee on Post Orices ana
Post Roads aud made an argument In support or a
bill now before that committee granting subsidy
OF S. 900 per trip for semmontnly mail steamship
service between New York and Mexico. The sub
sidy Is asked In behalf Of the Commercial line, run
oy Messrs F. Alexandra 4 Son between New York,
Vera Cruz and Sisal, via Havana. Their vessels
now run every twenty days. Twenty-six trips per
annum are proposed, and the total amount OF sub
sidy asked is $l3o,000.
Grant and Geary.
Governor Geary. OF Pennsylvania, had an inter-
view with the President to-day.
The Mc(snrrahan Claim.i