The Van Buren press., 1873-02-18

Stokes. No; she IN Europe.
Reporter: How much time is there for
legal proceedings
Stokes: This is February, isn't it?
Reporter Yes
Stokes believe the day is some time
the last part of this month, isn't it, !
can't remember, exactly / think it's the
last Of this month some time ; but hope
for stay. l think no judge would re
fuse me a chance like that
At this point Stokes laughed queerly,
and seemed disinclined to converse fur
ther.
HUMILIATlNG SPECTACLE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
To the many extraordinary and humll-
iatng spcctaces which have been wit
messed this winter in congress must be
added the scene in the senate to day at
tending Senator Pomeroy's personal ex-
planation Of the charges of bribery made
against him in the late senatorial election
in Kansas.
A TELLING CONTRAST,
A few months ago, and this senator
strutted around the senate chamber with
the sublime self.assurance of one who
was not only in the majority, but who
was leader Of that majority. At that
time he talked Of his re election as a fore
gone conclusion, and alluded to his an
tagonists in the senatorial race as a set
Of scrubs, who had neither character nor
reputation, and towards who he had only
the feelings Of the loftiest contempt. in
the brief space Of time above alluded to
there has been a wonderful change in
events. From one who touyished the
whip of partisanship whith heavy hand
over the heads Of his colleagues, Pomo.
roy to day was transformed INTO al ah-
jcct beggar for the sympsthics Of bis as
sociates
MS APPEARANCE UNEXPECTED,
1t was not generally credited that he
would appear in the senate to-day and
volunteer his personal explanation Those
who knew him best set this story down
as one Of the most improbable even OF
this sensational session, giving as their
view therefor that Pomeroy was too
shrewd and worldly wise to attempt any
such Improbable a course. AS a aconse-
quence the galleries were not very well
filled, although the Kansas senator,from
his long service and from bis social re.
lations, is one Of the best known public
men in this city.
BEHIND THE SCREEN.
Shortly after the senate was called to
order the well known face of Pomeroy
was seen peeping over the screen which
stands in front of the door to the msin
entrance of the chamber. At that early
hour there were but few senators pres.
cnt Taking some confidence from this
fact, Pomcroy advanced from behind
the screen into the main aisle in broad
view of the whole senate.
COOL RECEPTION,
The first senators to observe him were
Logan and Carpenter. He eagerly
stretched out his hand, and one after an
other shook il in the most Indifferent
manner. Appearing to feel this slight he
then walked down to his seat in the front
row in manner both hurried and ner'
vous
IN HIS STAT.
Arriving there he hastily seated him.
self and commenced fumbling in his coat
pockets, acting as il he was conscious of
the fact that the eyes OF all those present
sought him cut and were examining his
l.. al ,,,,tinn vrith ,r,tipal IN
terest. For fifteen minutes he sat in his
seat with his eyes cast down, meanwhile
nervously stamping the floor with his
feet Then, when the prayer of the chap
lain hal been finished, and the resding
Of the minutes gone through with, and
amid a silence wherein the rustling of a
paper or the falling Of a pin caused a
nervous shock, he arose, and, with some
hcsitancy, addressed the chair. He ask
ed the privilege Of making his explana.
ton OF an unfortunate affair wherein he
was most deeply interested He asked
it with a penitential air in marked con
trast TO the somewhat defiant way il
which he has been in the habit of con
ducting himself in this body. lie thea
went on to deny in the most positive
manner that he attempted bribery in the
last election in Topeka, alleging that he
was the victim Of she foulest conspiracy
g. at had ever been attempted upon an
honorable man AS he warmed up with
his argument the heat Of his Indignation
quite equalled, il not excelled, that mani
tested by Senator Patterson some weeks
since before the Credit MobIier commit.
tee, wherein the latter protested against
high toned and honorable men being
dragged before the public in the capacity
OF apologists He finished with the re
quest that a special committee to invessl
gate these charges be appointed, to con
sist Of his political opponents.
NO SYMPATHY.
1t cannot be truthfully said that his
defense created either capital or symps-
thy for him. When he got through he
was congratulated by Harlan and Patter.
son, but otherwise the senate remained
stolidy Indifferent both to himself and
his defene.
THE COMMITTEE.
Vice president Colfax subsequently sp-
pointed Messrs. Frelinghuysen, Bncking.
ham, Alcorn, Thurman and Viskers as