The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-26

nau dispenser Win III IO-uay db graceful IrlDute
TO the soemnity OF the occasion. BE insisted upon
q motion that the moor be cleared. This PROPOSE
tion following the admission of the ladies. to which
Dick had not objected, was decidedly ungallant,
and very properly denied. Butler was the next
man to address the Speaker.
"HERE Is OUR MAN FOR SENSATION"
thought every one when he rose; out Buticr
wickedly made q molten that the house ignore
the special order and take up the Legislative ana
Executive Appropriation bill. Inc only opect nc
cou,a bave had I'm this was to bother Garfield, as
the latter is very sensitive as to any interference
in his management OF the appropriation bills.
Buffers proposition was, OF course, Jeered at
Meanwhile. it was evident that Judge Poland was
charged with a speech, and only awaited the signal
from the Speaker to open fire upon the enemies OF
his report. The venerable ex-senator from Vermont
stood up in the AISLE Just back OF Buffers desk, as
solemn and straight as IN ofncer OF the Old Guard
on duty. Before he could get chance TO speak
Butler sent up his resolution proposing that the
cases of the implicated members be tried before
the District Court, and that the House be relieved
OF its duty IN this respect Poland objected, and
after this interruption was allowed to proceed. He
seemed to feel the Importance OF the occasion.
His speech was deliberate and graceful. His voice
was at first low, but gradually increased III volume,
though not losing its steady uniformity of cadence.
down TO Buffers desk and lean over the Essex
statesman as he defended himself from attacks
made by
THE ENFANr TERRIBLE OF THE HOUSE
in his report of yesterday. During the whole speech
Oakes Ames sat in front seat near General Butler,
as II he desired to be under the wing OF his power
full ally during the coming storm. Ames was very
nervous; he flushed at times, looked over occa-
sionally at his friends in deprecating way, and
then would subside behind the shelter OF his huge
hand, which was ample covering for his counte-
nance. A few seats removed from him sat Banks
at his desk, quiet and calm as though he did not in
tend to take any part in the coming debate.
TIE ASPECT OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF TUE
POLAND COMMITTEE
did not denote any special excitement. McCrary
sat near Hoar and looked impressive; Niblack
appeared stern and attentive; Merrick showed up
his glasses above his forehead and nursed his right
forefnger gently as he listened to Poland's argu-
ments. He plainly showed, however, the symp-
toms of an intended speech. Books and papers
were heaped before him, and he was the only men,
Der of the committee who looked as II he were
going to take an active part IN the debate.
All Of the Congressional victims were present.
Brooks, who at the opening Of the proceedings had
lain on sofa in the background, where his wife
famed his fevered countenance, came pushing
through Cne crown TO Ills ueSk when fOlanu COM
menced, giving the most painful attention to his
speech. Garfield was in his seat and looked sad,
as though at times tears were ready to start from
his eyes. Dawes played the disinterested
spectator. Kelley sat away back, solitary and
gloomy, his hair hung over his brow In tragic
fashion, and he seemed distressed with q sense Of
loneliness. His booming voice was silent and his
desk bore no evidence Of the usual preparations
for speech. Scofeld gave careful attention, but
did not in any way appear anxious to be heard.
In looking through the House the
SYMPTOMS OF COMING SPEECHES
were to be seen here and there. Buffers desk
was loaded down with books and papers, which he
consulted occasionally; Eldridge, Of Wisconsin |;
Kerr, Of Indiana; Morgan and Bingham,
of Ohio; Fernando Wood. of New York; Dan voor.
hees, OF 1ndiana-au showed preparation for Q
participation in the debate Poland devoted his
hour to the case OF Brooks and Ames. In his SOL
emn, denunciatory way he reviewed the crimes Of
these two men. His manner was that of great
criminal lawyer before jury OF his countrymen,
asking for the conviction OF some criminal whose
freedom would be dangerous to the welbelng OF
society. At the close OF the hour Judge Poland
was allowed thirty minutes more, during which
time he devoted himself exclusively to the ques
ton OF the jurisdiction Of the House. Whel
his time was again expired there was
call BY some one that 1t should be ex
tended. Butler objected to Mr.. Poland being
allowed to infringe on eternity. and there being
other objections made, the venerable member from
Vermont took his seat, thus completing the open.
ing soloquy in the House drama.
At twenty-five minutes past one P. NJ. the
Speaker said:-
"MR. CAKES AMEs IS ENTITLED TO THE FLooR.n
Cakes was at this time looking terribly nervous.
His face was flushed, his hand trembled and he
fell back upon his handkerchief to conceal his agt
tation as he unfured the printed slip of his speech
which he sent up 10 the desk to be read by the
Clerk. Mr.. Mcpherson came forward to the desk
the red hairs Of his beard fairly bristlng with the
Importance OF the occasion. Mcpherson has
mistaken his vocation. He should have been
an actor. He put himself In Cakes Ames' place,
and the audience no longer saw Mcpherson, the
reading clerk, but Cakes Ames Mcpherson plead.
ing for mercy. Cakes Ames Mcpherson struck at
times several interesting attitudes. He would
brandish the manuscript in his LETT hand, as with
his right forefnger he emphatically sent home the
points made In the manuscript. In one
portion OF 1t, where an appeal Is made to
congressman to know why he Ames) should have
the honor OF long life Of honesty taken away from
him, McPhersons voice descended to plaintive
accent, and all the pathos indigenous to the Nc.
Pherson bosom was breathed into the sentences
before him until many shed tears.
Cakes Ames sat In front, at his first chosen seat,
near Butler. During the reading of the speech
MS face was covered, and occasionally his hand
kerchief would steal up as if to wipe away tear
"oakes Ames is crying" was murmured in the
galleries. This caused the vast audience to turn
away from the gyrating Clerk to the old man bowed
down at his desk weeping over his disgrace.
An involuntary thrill of sympathy went through
the spectators. the same that moves an audience
In gazing upon condemned man. At this iunc.
ture Butler went over and conversed with Morgan.
when they retired from tho moor for con.
sultation. The reading OF Ames' speech
disclosed one fact, that he was not
the author of the manuscript which was
being intoned by MCPHERSON The legal phrase
olOgy and the close logical argument plainly
demonstrated the writer to be a keen lawyer. ana