The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-19
EVILS OF GIGANTIC CORPORATIONS.
The Wilkes Case in England Quoted and
Commented On rs Pertinent.
POWER OF TIE HOUSE OVER ITS MEMBERS.
James Brooks Objects to the Re-
port and Defends Himself. 4.


WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1873.
When the House met at eleven o'clock to-day
the galleries already filed, in expectation OF
the promised report OF the Poland Committee All
the aisles and lopbies were thronged and re-
sounded with the hum OF anticipation. During the
civil war similar scenes were represented In the
lower branch OF the National Legislature, but they
were produced by political and martial excite
ment, and discussion OF such questions as con-
hscation, prescription and the abolition OF
slavery. AS an Old member remarked, the
session to-day recalled one especially memoir
able, in which Speaker Collax came down from
his seat and moved the expulsion Of
Alexander Long, Of Ohio, for reasonable
language The case, entire parenthese. should now
be reversed and some member from Mr.. Longs
State-General Morgan, for instance should rise
and move the impeachment OF Vice President Col
fax for nigh crimes and misdemeanors. The scene
this afternoon was one OF the most impressive that
ever took place in an American Congress. There
was sense of
SADNESS AND OPPRESSION IN THE AIR,
as If it were frcightcd with i'll boding. For two
hours the throng came and went, and the galleries
sti seemed as crowded. The Hobbies leading to
the different doors were also full OF anxious and
curious people.
When the regular order of business was called the
suNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL
was taken up In Committee Of the Whole, and, to
the disappointment OF the crowds. held It's place
for two hours more. Then there was hush.
The committee rose at halrpast one to give place
to more exciting performance. Speaker Blaine
assumed the chair for moment, and the venerable
ex-senator from Vermont, dressed in his fautless
blue coat with brassbuttons, the very impersona-
ton of judicial decorum, addressed the Speaker,
introducing the report Of the Credit Mober inves-
tgation. As the Speaker himself was one OF
the objects OF that report, he called upon Mr.
Cox. OF New York, to assume the chair, whereupon
the reading OF the report began. BY this time the
galleries were literally massed with people Of both
sexes. Every member was in his seat, and large
delegation from the Senate was also on the floor.
glance abou. the House revealed the fact that all
the accused Congressman were present.
THE APPEARANCE OF CAKES AMEs.
cakes Ames sat near the middle aIsle with his
head sunk down into the recesses OF his collar.
HIS face was as impassive as stone wall; the only
evidence onward emotion was the movement ofhis
huge hand, which kept Juggling away at his stubbly
beard. Brooks sat at his own desk, in the third
front row. nearly facing the Speakers chair. On his
| left sat william II. Roberts, and Immediately
behind him Fernando Wood. Brooks appeared,
leaning back in his chair the very picture OF DESC
iation. His face wac OF death-like palIor, ana
Indicative Of severe mental and bodily anguish.
Ills hands nervously twitched occasionally at
piece Of paper In front OF him were several
books bound in calf and small bundle Of papers,
to which he referred in his explanations AFTER
wards. He and Ames were the observed OF all OBJ
servers.
| Bingham sat at his desk stern and indinerents
| Garfield was nervous and betrayed an intensity Of
interest which changed to a look Of relief when he
saw that he escaped lightly from the censure Of the
report; Kelley sat alone and soemn Hooper
looked the embodiment OF respectability Sconed
was placid as II virtue itself his patron saint
Speaker Blaine was as calm as May morning and
glanced peacefully up at Mcpherson, the Clerk Of
the House, as he intoned the report. 1t was lis
| tened to amid solemn silence and with tire moss
profound attention. At times the interest shown
was almost painful. The report is before the read
ers of the HERALD 1t is regarded as an especially
| well written repor:.
4 MARKED SENSATION
When the Clerk came to that part OF the repors
which deals so sternly with the case Of James
Brooks there was q marked sensation, and the
very breath of the vast audience seemed w oe suS>
pended. As he read the passage setting forth tnas
the evidence regarding BROOKS ana ANA t9HX