Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
CONGRESS-

ate, Mr.. Morrill, called up the resolution direct
ing verbatim reports 10 the Record, and hoped
that speedy report would be made thereon.
MIR. Wright introduceda resolution for the
adjournment of Congress on the lst of May
next, which was referred to the Committee on
Appropriations.
The Pinchback case coming up, Mr.. Ed
muuds' amendment declaring that Pirchback is
not entitled to a seat as Senator from Loulsl-
ana, was adopted by a vote of thirty-two to
twenty nine and Immediately thereafter went
into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House of Represe natives, soon after
the reading of the Journal, took up the civil
and legislative bill.
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, explained that
the committees reports would save between
eight and pine millions in few items only.
One million would be saved by the transfer of
the Indian Bureau from the Interior to the
War Department. A considerable sum would
be saved by paying pensions direct from the
Treasury.
The bill was, after short discussion, laid
aside.
Mr.. Whilthorne, of Tennessee, chairman of
the Committee on the Expenditures of the
Navy Department, said that there had been no
special investigation of the doings Of Mr.. Pur-
man. The Committee had presented the ex-
animation Of the subjects given to their charge
by the House. The uame of the gentleman
from Florida (Purman) was fouod in some of
the papers. The Committed did not make the
evidence public 1t was obtained the news
papers from the witnesses themselves
AT the close of the morning hour, MIR. VIM.
2. Purmau, Of Florida, rose to a question of
privilege, and said that there had been charges
made against him in relation to malfeasance in
contracts of the Navy Department. He COM
nentcd on the TACT that the Committee had
secretly Investigated the matter without mott
flying him. He demanded committee of in-
vestigation. He never knew of the charges
until be saw them in the public press. The
matter was referred to the special committee.
At this point an extraordinary scene occurred
in the House. A. B. Wolff, clerk of S. 2.
Brown s. Co., who had been brought to the
bar o. the House, and occupied chair in front
of the Speaker stand, fell to the floor dead,
it was at first supposed, but it was soou. mani.
fest that he had fallen 10 fit. Admirable
order was preserved. The members all took
their seats at the call of the Chair, and the
man lay stretched at full length in the area in
front OF the Spcaker-with little movement
that could be seen by the many thousand eyes
that were rivctted upon him.
The Spcakcr-If there is physician in the
galleries will he cume upon the floor of the
House.
H,n. Mr. Wallace, physician, was at that
time busiue the Wan.
A motion was made that he be removed to
uu adjoining room.
A mcmbcr-fhe physicians will do what is
needed.
Alter the usual means of restoration, the
man began to show signs of spasms, and was
lifted by several members OF Congress to room
out Of sight.
MIR. Whtthorne explained that Wolff was
here for the purpose oil being discharged from
the custody of the Sergeat alarms, as he had
answered all the questions of the Committee.
He had been kept at the Metropolitan Hotel
all night, and this morning showed signs of
palpitaton Of the heart. The resolution Of
discharge was agreed 10.
Mr. Knott, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported that the articles of impeachment
against Belknap had been prepared but that
inasmuch as Marsh had fled the country, and
as other witnesses could be obtained to testify
as to this and oth her charges, therefore the re-
port be recou.mitted 10 the committee with in-
sructions to send for persons and papers.
He also reported in the same connection two
bills, one to protect witnesses from prosecution
and one making it penal ofro nee, punishable
by fue and Imprisonment, for witness to
90 out of the country, or being out to re-
main absent when required, the object be
Jog to get Marsh back. Mr.. Knott ad-
dressed the House, advocating the adop-
ton Of the report of the COMMITTEE, and the
passage of the bills, in order to facilitate the
Investigations DIV going on.
Mr. K was followed by Mr.. Lynd.
The House, after much flllbustering, in
Guiding two calls, continued to discuss the re-
port Blaine, Luuraoce ADD Kasson attacking
the committee for permitting Marsh to cs-
cape.
toI