New-York tribune., 1873-02-27

lawyers were expOunding the law TO the members of
the House in their character az jurymen half the
jHry had vacated their boxes to accept the compl
ment of champagne lunch, generously spread by
an officer OF the House.
But this did not deter Mr. Stevenson of Ohio from
making the wickedest speech of the discussion He
made great hit, although usual, he was q trifle
excitable, yet he had his senses, and his powerful
voice compelled partial hearing He did not speak
long, but his remarks were fearless and original
Mr.. Stevenson is an enemy of Speaker Blaine but
whether, as claimed by the Speaker. he became 10
on account of a Committee disappointment or for
other reasons is not known; but ne firmly believes
the Speaker is not what he ought to be- and that his
fall is not far distant.
His remarks, therefore, very unjustly were framed
to make points against Mr.. Blaine. Among his
pungent remarks was one on which he charged that
the House of Representatives was like an auction
room where more valuable considerations had been
disposed of under the Speakers hammer than in any
other place on EARTH This was wormwood to the
Speaker Mr. Stevenson also said that he was not
surprised that the Committee in casting their net,
had caught more leviathans than they could land.
In another reference TO Mr.. Blaine he said the
House was not court that if il was, one of the
persons charged with the particular offense would
not be allowed to frame the indictment and choose
the man who should select the jury. This
derstOOd TO have reference to the Speaker, who Of
fered the resolution of investigation and appointed
Mr.. Cox TO the chair, VINO selected the Poland Com
mttee. If Mr.. Stevenson were little less excitable
in his speeches he would stand higher IN the House
than at present
Mr.. Whitthorne of Tennessee, who Brigadier
General in the Rebel army, followed in a savage
sault all interested in the Credit Moer job. He
had dvested himself of collar and necktie, and
E
had much of the true sentiment and he secuted the
idea that these members of Congress were bribed
without knowing it.
Thus far Samuel Hooper has escaped with little
censure but the Tennessee member handled him
very roughly, charging that the firm of Hooper 81
Co. was especially responsible for bribery, that
firm signed the order authorizing the issue of stock
to Oakes Ames Mr. Hooper read newspaper, and
assumed to pay attention to the remarks, except
for An instant, when he and Mr. Dawes looked at
each other, and appeared to talk about something
amusing. The speaker showed readiness to vote
for expulsion of all.
Mr.. Niblack was the next member to take the
floor. His speech was not remarkable. It
fair legal argument in favor of the Committees re-
port, and answering some of the remarks previously
made BY the time he had finished it was evident
that the interest in the whole Credit Mober trans
action was dying OUT, anu eNeIyDOuy buoWcu cNl-
dence of fatigue over subject that has been upper
most in the notice Of the public for the last three OF
four months. Many occupants of the galleries went
away and the members began to retire to the cloak
rooms or elsewhere to avoid prolonged discussion,
SO that when Mr.. Bingham began his speech, he had
a smaller audience than Mr.. Beck.
The delicacv of this gentleman speaking at all
was universally discussed, inasmuch as he is impi
Gated He always rivets the attention of audi
ence and to-day was not an exception. He argued
the conduct of members several years ago
clearly outside the authority of the present Con-
gress. BE paid high compliment to Mr. Merrick
of Maryland, and thus to himself He attacked the
press and almost in the same breath presented, as
precedent the case of John Wilkes apparently for
getting that John Wilkes's offense was in certain
publications charging corruption, while his (Bine-
ham'sD was for corruption in his own case.
Mr.. Golladay of Tennessee made good point in
calling attention to the fact that Mr. Bingham had
opposed the admission of members in the House
because of their previous acts, in fighting against
the Government IN the Rebel army. Messrs. COnk-
ling Carpenter, Logan, and other Senators were
among the attentive listeners of Judge Bingham.
Cen Banks. at a little after o'clock, was accorded
the floor being the fifth member of the Poland
Committee who had been permitted TO give his
views of that Committees report. He showed more
earnestness and animation than usual, and it was
evident he was deeply concerned IN the matter
before the House.
His speech was in opposition TO the apparent tend
encv toward turning the power of the Govern
ment in its legislative capacity to the great corpora
tions He thought the House was daily becoming
more the representative power of rich corpora
tions than of labOTng people, and he Thought TINS
was mischevOus and wrong His bearings seemed
TO favor the labor union movement
After Mr. Hale of Maine had called attention to
certain inaccuracies in the speech of Mr. Stevenson,
in regard TO the votes of Senator Blaine on the
Washburn resolutions of 1868, the House took re-
cess until n o'clock although Mr. Stevenson was on
the floor anxious to reply.
THE EVENING SESSION.
The sensation of the evening session was the
snaech of Gen Butler. He had a magnificent
andience Few members of the House were alb
cent Senator'S Cabinet officers, ana foreign minis
ters occupied seats the floor, and in the galleries.
crowded beyond description, were hundreds OF peo-
Ie prorninent in political and social circles. Gen.
Butler spoke for nearly two hours, and probably
never made better speech in his life.
II would not stand the test Of cool criticism. 1t
was full of cunning sophistres 1t evaded ugly
points in the proof against Oakes Ames. IL ap-
nealed 10 prejudice and sympathy by turns rather
than TO reason but it was Just tho KIND OF speech
70 caDtivate a great popular audience Everybody
hune intently upon his words. He made his hearers
sbont with laughter and he brought tears from bis
1vp eves and from his clients if from no ones else
He nraised Cakes Ames as a model of an honest
t,utbfnl man. whose word was as good as his bond
a man of whom Massachusetts, was proud.
"He ia an honest man." he said, "an old man.
natriotic man, truthful man, and we are to expel
bir, hacause weare contaminated by honesty, TRUTH