New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-02


sun stood still, toward tho Valley of Ajalon
tho moon moved not, the highest legislative
body in the land held its breath in awe. no
rude whisper or loose cxpcctoration broke the
silence while the gifted and injured asked adj
vice.
The press of the country had called attcn-
ton, he said, to The abuses OF the contingent
fund. And then with great sOlemnity he
added that Inc knew of but one. In the in
siant's hush that followed to every Senator's
memory there came the thrilling history OF the
man who was never drunk but once in hls
lifc-and kept 40 till Inc died. That passed,
and the pure and able statesman in the chair
proceeded. 1t was furnishing the reporters
gallery with stationery. He bad Signed three
orders for stationery already, and found another
lying on his desk awaiting signature. He had
searched and could not find any law author
ling him TO do it. We do not learn that tho
great man sobbed IA he made this confession.
Possibly he exercised great self-restraint and
by sheer intellectual force kept back his
swelling emotions. But who shall depict tho
agony of that great heart as, after fruitless
search through the statutes at large and the
Constitution, the fearful truth burst in upon
him chat ne had violated law in signing these
orders. With deep emotion he said he believed
it had been tho custom; but it was not IN
him to undertake any palliaton of his ofense.
Stepping grandly forward TO the sacrifice re-
quired of him, he offered to give check for
the amount, and then asked tho advice OF The
Senate.
All, that was q spectacle for the American
people There has been nothing so dramatic
since Mr.. George T.. Spencer of Alabama pre-
scented himself in a fit of absence of mind to
be sworn into the Senate. There should be n
panel for it somewhere in the Capitol,
where the scene should be cmbllmed for pos
terity. And it should DO called Carpenters
COntriiion.n There is something wonderful
in this mans character; Il certain grandeur
and strength and massiveness, loftiness OF
tone and largcncss Of view that give the I'M
preston of completeness, and stamp him for
all time as the statesman Of the period. Ob-
serve the greatness of his magnanimity. The
press had charged him with publicly disgracing
himself, and had offered to prove the truth oil
their accusations, and had made 1t necessary
for the Senate 10 yindicate him without asking
for the evidence or summOning witness. lie
was gifted and he had been injured. But he rose
above resentment. He helped Goals OF fire
upon the heads Of the press in the same large
spirit in which he sheds his money upon the just
and the unjust. Upon his order S3j 4G worth
of stationery had been issued to the reporters
gallery, and he, having looked in vain for any
authority of law for his action, flung himself
with check for that amount into the breach
IN this cynical and uncharitable age there are
men doubtless who will jeer at the offer as in
mi lemOtpSt
chance of its being accepted. But these are
they who are skepical of Harlan's honor and
PonrrOy's;probity, who are suspicious of Boss
Shepherd, and deride the Civil Service Re-
form. The Senators Of the United States
with the exception of those whose terms are
nearly out-can afford TO dcspise them. There
stands the offer, distinct and unequivOcal-
$50 &c of our present rnrrency-a monument
to u,5cs they pass. There Is no day IN
the week that Mr.. Carpenter is not liable to
sign check for that amount and shed ii on
the unjust.
Mr. Carpenter asked advice. IL was not long
coming. The eyes of the Senate turned by u
common impulse upon its great adviser. Mr.
Conkling was not unconscious of the gravity
of the occasion. Rising deliberately and sweep
ing with his eagle eye the reporters gallery,
where tho representatives. of brutal sta
tionery-stealinS and venal press covered under
the lightning Of his glance, he said. in low and
impressive tones, "Will the Chair read the
"accOuntr With painful distinctness the
Chair read the damning record, while the high
handed robbers in the reporters gallery lis
tened with banched cheeks, to the exposure
of their guilt and shame:
Jan. s.-FOur dozen lead pencils and 500 envelopes
CmalD subsequent day half a rean OF small note
paper three dozen pencils half dozen small erasers.
dozen penboders aud hafia dozen large sheets OF
bOtting paper Jan Is. OF foolscap paper
note paper. two dozen penholders, box OF
pens. and -four. dozen pencils.
This was enough. After this, what advice
was needed The record was before the cOun-
try. The Americana people could understand
nowl why the debt was increasing and more
currency. was called for. While the Senate
was setting an example of economy in the use
of one-only one-gold toothpick for seventy
four Of the best and purest statesmen in the
land, here were representatives of q hireling
press consuming lead pencils by the dozen and
small note paper by the half ream at the
reckless rate of S3j 46 worth in less than two
months. AS was to be expected, shudder of
horror went through the Senate. Even Mr..
Conkling who is seldom backward in giving
advice, after asking one or two questions as
to the manner in which these nefarious trans
actions were conducted, sat down completely
overcome by his feelings, confessng that the
occasion was too great for him-that he could
advise nothing.
Mr. Hamlin Of Maine, in a voice choking
with emotion, asked if the Chair would accent