New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-08
MR. BLAINE's ATTACK IN TIE HOUSE.

MR.. BLAINE'S ATTACK IN TIE HOUSE.
MIR. CIYMr.R BROUGHT UNDER A HEAVY TIRR OF
CRITICIsM-DEFIANCE, REFORMATION, AND IN
PUGNING OF MOTIvEs--MR LAMAR BREAKS THE
REPUBLICAN ASSAULT, ASSISTED By THE TEMPER
ATE CoUNFELs or MR.. HoAR.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, March THE Republicans were
badly beaten III the spirited debate that occupied the
greater part of the afternoon in the House to-day.
1t was for the most part rough and tumble scram-
BILE for political advantage, participated IN by Mr..
Blaine. Mr.. KaSsOn and Mr.. HOar, on the one side,
and by Mr.. Clymer, Mr.. Blackburn Mr. Robbins,
Mr.. Cox Mr. Hooker, Mr.. Lamar, and few others
on the other 1t is impossible for Democrats longer
to conceal tho fact that Mr. Cymer's Committee
made blunder in dischaTging the witness Marsh on
Thursday last From the statements made IN the
House to-day, it is inferred that no one member of
the Committee is more to blame than another. Mr..
Clymer did not for amOment suppose that The witness
would leave the country after he had given his tes
timony, since tho chief reason for his flight was re-
moved by his examination, but abundant
caution would have prompted him and his Commit
tee to have held the witness as they had perfect
right to do until learned thath no longer
needed. There was no justification for the in
situation, thrown out in some Republican quarters,
that there was some secret reason for Mr.. MarShs
discharge. Such an iusnuaton is rs Unfair TO q he
Republican members Of the Committee as to the
Democrats. 1t was a mistake of judgment, COM
mitted in a time of tie greatest excitement, bat ono
which may nevertheless cause great Inconvenience
to the prosecutionof the impeachment.
Again, it is By no means probable that Mr.. Marsh's
flight was caused by the reported action of the
President and his Cabinet at its meeting last Friday.
cd ltl a.. cd a.
agent of which is supposed to have had seni-oGcial
information on the subject. was calculated To dis
courage witnesses not only IN this but IN all other
Investigations In the majority OF cases where there
has been bribery corruption of public officials, the
proof of it is almost impossible 90 obtain without
testimony of some guilty accomplice, and tho an
nounccment that the President had ordered
immediate steps to be taken for the prosecution not
only of Secretary Bclkuap but OF hlr. Marsh the
witness, who had exposed MI. Bcllnaps crime.
might well have frightened Mr.. Marsh and induced
him to place himself beyond the jurisdiction of the
courts of this District il no doubt will fnghten
Others unless couuteracted by some measure
promptly adopted by Congress. In this ease, how
ever, II appears that Marsh left NeN-York for Can
ada before he could possibly have heard of the order
Of fhe President that, ill-ady'ed as that order
was under the circumstances, it probably did not
have the eiiec. which the Democrats in debate to
day repeatedly attributed to it.
The discussion was opened soon after the morning
hour to-day by Nh. Clyner, who arising to ques-
ton of privilege, announced 30 the House the fact
that the members Of the Committee on Expenditures
in the War Department had been summoned to APP
pear before the Grand Jury Of the Supreme Court Of
the District of Columbia not only to testify As 10
any facts which they themselves might have bearing
upon the accusations made against the cN-Seclcaty
Of War, but to bring with thom all The papers
contracts, checks OF other documents tending 10
show his guilt MIR. Clymer told the House that The
Democratic members Of the Committee had appeared
before the Court thi. morning and, while not plead
ing their privilege members OF the House OF itci-
resentatives lad entered their protest against beng
required TO testify in the matter. The ground on
which they based their protest was tlat II would
result in great detrimcnt to the country and would
intiInidate witnesses whose attendance the Com
mittee was not striving TO secure. The Republicans
who had been anxious during al Of yesterday
and to-day TO open an attack ON the Democrats for
allowing Mr.. Marsh to depart from Washington, and
10 turn the tide which for nearly week has been
setting against them once in their favor. ap-
parently without much rejection cnt,r"d at once
into the discussion with warmth and eainesnCS
which aroused on equal excitement on the other
side. Mr. Lamar introduced resolution directing
the members Of the Committee not TO furnish the
evidence asked for by the Court until they receive
further order, from the House.
This resolution Mr.. Blaine attacked as an attempt
TO obstruct the wheels of Justice and I" prevent the
prosecution and punishment of the eA-Secretary I"r
crimes which have been proved against MN. Inc
excitement of the House Wa AT It's highest plich
when. in his most defiant way 10 challenged the
other side to withhold this testimony from the
courts if they dared This defiance vas received
with loud applause on the Republican side. and
amid the greatest confusion n Golen Democrats
were on their feet, striving for an opportnnity
70 reilly 10 him. From THE time on
for several hours The discussion was one OF the
most excited that has recently occurred III th'
House Mr.. Clymcr, wTithing under The CRITICISMS
Of the Republicans for allowing Mr.. Marsh to escape
defended himself and his Committee and wos re-
peatedly upon his feot incITupting the speakers on
tbe other aide Whenever they returned 10 the
charge rs almost every one Of them did. Mr.. Black
burn and Others among the Democrats accused inc
President Of interfering TO prevent the witness from
testlfying before The Committee of Congress ana
was met By the frantic deniJs OF Mr.. Blaine, aDd
those around him, that neither the President nor ms
Cabinet had taken any such action asserted.
For more than wOhours The debate brought the House
no carer 10 the question at issue, while every mo-
mont the partisans ciihcr side grew and more
angry During most Of the time the Rcpublirgns
seemed to have the best OF the discussion. II
not because their arguments were sirogSer but be-
cause Mr. Blaine by his skiliul leadership, by h'
persistence and by his strength OF lu"gs bore down
all opposition
At length Mr. Lamar secured the floor, and spoke
about half an hour putting the question in its
proper light and completely demoiShing Nv Blaine.