New-York tribune., 1873-02-26


MR. MERRICK.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnBUSEI
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-There was never such a
crowd in the House before as that which packed the
galleries to-day and sur9ed to and fro in the halls,
and broke in upon the floor in defiance Of all rules
crowding the members fBom their seats.
The gray haired dOorkeepers, who have been on
duty for or 20 years say they never saw anything
like it, not even in the exciting times In the
XXXIXth and XLth Congresses, when the AlVth
and XVIII Amendments were passed, and Andrew
JOhnson's impeachment was voted. The people
began to flock to the Capitol as early as 9 o'clock,
and when the gallery doors were opened, at lOi It
was not three minutes before every seat was filed
and the doorways packed so tightly that thou
sands who were in could not get out if ever so much
inclined to retreat.
After the chaplain had made his prayer, which
was trile longer and more solemn than usual, and
the clerk had read the journal, Mr. Cox moved that
ladies be admitted to the floor No one was 80 un-
gallant az to object. The Speaker gave the orderj
the ladies poured in from every door At first they
content with the sofas and the spacious stand
ingroom back of the seats, butisoon they began to
invade the aisles and take possession Of chairs re-
linqushed to them by polite members whose gal
lantry got the better of their judgment.
Some took possession of the steps leading to the
Speakers chair. Others had the doorkeeper bring
seats and establish themselves in front Of the mem
bers One young lady used pile of documents in
an aisle for a seat, and at least half dozen sat
upon desks
A stubborn Congressman who resolved not to give
way before this invasion, found his view cut off by
an enterprising lady, who climbed upon his desk,
while his peace of mind was disturbed by another
who took possession of the arm of his chair for
seat. One gentleman, who is quite lame, gave up
his seat to n young Miss, who showed her appreca-
ton Of the favor by leaning her pretty head back
and going to sleep.
With all this crowd upon the floor, and with the
galleries full and brimming over, there were still
hundreds who could nowhere find chink or Granny
through which they could squeeze in and all that
the curious and excited throng got for their pains
in standing or sitting packed almost beyond endur-
ance and breathing the foul air of the poorly vent-
lated hall for five six hours was the opportunity
Of listening to n dull debate on subject which the
newspapers have DISCUSSED until it is worn thread
bare.
There was nothing dramatic, nothing in the least
degree exciting in the proceedings 1t was, to be
sure rather touching to see Oakes Ames shed tears
when the Clerk read the portion Of his defense
relating to his past good name and honorable
achievements, but few people coald this, and of
those that did many thought it was bad cold that
caused the strange old man to his handkerchief
so frequently. 1t seemed incredible that one who
had borne himself throughout the investigation
with such indifference and such cynical humor could
be affected when brought face to face with the long
threatened expulsion.
AZ soon as order could be obtained, Mr. Butler
cooly moved to take up the Legislative AppropTia-
ton BILL AIr. Garfield asked him if he would not
let the Appropriation Committee manage their own
business
Mr. Butler then offered as a substitute for the
Ames and Brooks resolution string of preambles
and resolutions referring the testimony taken by
the Credit Mobilier Committee to the Dstrct-At-
torney of the District of Columbia, with the recon-
mendation that he make a presentlaent to the
Grand Jury of the cases of Ames and of all the Con-
gressmen who took the stock, in order that they
might be indicted if they had committed any GRIM
inal offense Mr.. Poland would not yield to this,
and Mr. Butler said he should move 1t as soon as he
could get the floor.
Mr.. Poland opened the debate at half past II. His
elegant old-time costume of blue coat and brass
buttons and mflled shirt, and his fine figure and
distinguished air, made him IN object OF interest to
the audience for time, but his speech although
logical and pointed was only rehearsal of his re-
port aud his manner of delivery which was that of
a lawyer pleading before bench Of judges, added
nothing to the force of bis remarks. He spoke for
an hour, and then got half-hour more.
At the end of this time he wanted another extern
sion. Mr.. Butler rose 10 object. Did not the gem
tleman say he would divide tho time p he asked.
Yesv replied Mr. Poland. every well" said Mr. g.
Butler: but if the gentleman keeps much longer
he will have to divide eternity" Mr.. Poland did not
insist further, and gave way amid general laughter.
Oakes Ames's defense was read by Clerk McPher-
son from printed proofslps. 1t Is said that it was
written by Mr. PoppletOn, Boston lawyer. 1t was
an able, ingenious and eloquent plea for the ac-
ouittal of SIR. Ames and would have done credit to
any lawyer.
Every point in his favor was made the most of;
every weak place in the argument against him was
magnifed and plausible theories were supplied to
account for his letters to McC0mb and to explain
away the plain confession of bribery they contain.
Ames's pride in completing the Pacific road, his
great efforts and risks, his long life of honorable
usefulness of struggles, and of we-esrned success,
his old age and the early termination of his service
in Congress- were all set forth in effective language.
Mr.. Mcpherson read the defense in such an earnest
and impressive way that it sounded as if he were
pleading his own cause. Mr.. Anes sat in the front
row of seats listening intently. Toward the close
tears ran down his cheeks. He tried TO conceal this
emotion by covering his face with his hand, but he
was obliged several times to use his handkerchief
and it was Enthusiastically evident to the members
around him and to the reporters who looked down
directly upon him that he crying.
At the close of the reading the audience would no
doubt have given verdict Of acquittal if they had
been called upon to vote.
Mr.. Farnsworth followed and to the general sur
prise took the side of Messrs. Ames and Brooks, and
made strong argument to show that there was not
sufficient proof Of guilty intent the part Of either
of them.
Mr. Farnsworth is the most independept man in