Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-09
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, u. C.. August 0, 1876

W A~NlNffi0Nt w. ~ ANhW0N - i0i'
Msos Edtors The attempt TO adjourn Con
gross on Monday next has proved q failure, and
the day Of it, deli,emnco from our city Is in the
uncertain future. II Is possible an adjournment
may be effected the latter part of neat week,
while it is equally probable that they will he
obliged TO stay through the present month The
Democratic House has commenced a work which
Is too extensive toadmit Of 80 suddenan ending
they have stirred up the political pool to so high
degree Of excitement that IL will not quiet at so
short q notice. The excessive activity Of the
maiorit, in the House in attempting 10 unearth
corruption aud fraud IN the Republican party, TO
rotrench and reform the whole administration
and to do other benehoent and philanthropic
work, is now beginning 10 rccoh on the heads Of
the attemrters just at the time when, sick and
tired Of their glorious work. they are very anxious
Ia adjourn to retire for brief season 10 the
arms of the dear people for whose Interests
they have so uuselfshly aborcd throughout the
winter and far into the " heated term ola SOUTH
ern summer The numerous committees of in
yestigation are now emerging from the close con-
duemcnt which they have 80 heroicay under
gone during the session. and are making their re-
ports These reports are printed in yoluninous
shape aud To these they point with mock sol
emnty as the result Of their attempts IN impoach
the public or private character Of some one Ia
official life The conference committees are
uniting, with unheard-of unanimity, to disagree
upon every appropriation bill, and new conferences
are appointed very other day Taking all these
couuter-iuitant- into account, together with the
fact that campaign speeches must be written de-
liyered aud printed about so often 10 keep alive
the animosity of the parties it Is bat little wonder
that the leaders Of the House begin 10 tire of this
lengthy session, and admit that it is little more
than they bargainod for
ON Thursday afternoon We witnessed one Of
the most remarkable scenes that has occurred in
this most remarkable session Of Congress II was
au outgrowth Ut the democratic scene that tran
| spIred between
! kNotr NNp BLAINE
| in relation tu the suppressed Caldwell telegram.
| The charge was then made by Blaine that Proctor
| Knott, chairman of the Judiciary committee. had
I wiiiuHy suppressed the celebrated dispatch from
/ Caldwell which was To clear Blaine from certain
charges brought against him The iudiciar, conf
mittee has since that time been looking into the
matter. aud had unanimously come 10 the con-
cu-ion that Knott had not acted ia bad faith, and
had no Intention To do injustice u anybody It
was agreed that the Republicans upon the com
mite should sign this report, and that vote upon
il should be taken Lea the House without debate
After tine report had been read, Mr. Knott Obj
tanned the n1or, aud made one 81 the most ven
omous, bitter and ,indicti,c speeches that has
been heard this session. As his feelings had been
gueyou-y wounded by the charge Of Mr. Blaine
he nov proceeded to vent his long pontup spite
against the absent gentleman from Maine and 10
the most stupid aud cowaplly manner announced
bis conviction that blaine was guilty Of al Oh,
charges that had been brought against him that
he had dictated the Caldwell dispatch himself
and that he had feilnel illness ~ ESCAPE Dr.
trial before the House As We entered the House
Knott WAS ia the midst of an excited hamngu,
against Blaine. and the House was better filled
than it has been for three months When Knot
had worn himself ont with speaking and sat down
coSGRHNr,N unr. 90 sluNf.
arose t. answer him. The excitement on tlie lloo
was now intense aud every ear was strained t.
catch fye- every word lie began by express
ing his regret at the extraordinary speech 90
Knott, and then proceeded with legal forto an,
logical earnesness 20 review the case ~ 1t stood
aud the action OF Mr. Knott in connection with il
!
and at this time It was more distinct than usual
lie always uses the best Of Anglo-SaAon. hut oil
this occasion he seemed 10 be- imbued with tlr
true spirit Of ontory Words came fast and wer
spoken with wonderful effect A. am ontouc,
effort, entirely mprouqJ't It has not been eNcelle
in Congress this session. Blaine could not h.,y
done better in speech, while in the dgnity aud d,
liberation used, and in the mastery control Of hi
feelings To keep himself within the bound, uf pai
liament.,Iy decorum, Frye was oar ahead OF villa
Blaine would have been in a like situation Blain
could afford 10 be absent when such champio
as Frye stood ready to defend him. He wis no
alone in the defense for Hale, lloar and McC rar
followed and when all weEe through It was fel
that Knots name should be- changed instead "a
Proctor Knot; it -hould hereafter read " Knocked
to-pot"
Mr.. Frye Is a rising member and one Of the be-
speakers IN tie present House From the CALLER
he would be taken for young man Of thirty
llis figure is slight and bis movements are =
active as Ia make him appear almost boyi,h Id
tine head j. covered with thick hushy hair will
ont u trace of gray Ia IL. Yet, wonderful a.
may seem IA many, he is hlty years old, and ha
been a grandfather for more than year n
, and Knott board at the same private house, alon
with Patterson Of Colorado. Iubbel of Michigan
Warren OF Massachusetts, and other members q
Mrs Coming's on Thirteenth street They hay
been warm friends despite their difference j
political faith, throughout the session. hut this a,
e bate has e.trnged them forever In fact Knott
course is severely ccnsured hy democrats and villa
little reputation he has gained in Congress is 10.
by this cowardly attack on Blaine Knott is u
..
publican, and made such AN exhibition Of malie
+ and bad temper in the House, he would have bee
e denounced by his own party just as lac is now b
4 the majority OF lair-minded democrats
e rHE AcQuuTAL OF BukNAr
il was expected, We wrote you in our last aii
e WAS no surprise u those who had watched iii
It course Of the trial Two-thirds Of the senator
i were necessary 10 convict, and the vote stoo
: thrty-fiyc for conviction and twenty-five for ~
e quittal All the democrats voted guilty eNcel
; Mr. Eaton, Of Connecticut, while Me-srs T.,
munds Morrill,, Dawes, Oslesby, sherman an
y Wadeigh were among the Republican senator
p. who voted guilty
nIE PROGRESS "a EtsiNr-s
in either House has not been great the past weol
The Senate has finally passed the River and Ila
MI 3htNAtiltlhiil ~ II ttuif from tht coli
mittee This is a great triumph for Mr. Edmund
= who has earnestly fought the enormous aud %
=, trayagant bill which log-rolling clique attcmpte
. to force through Congress, The House can hardl
refuse to pass the bill 1t is, with their pre.e,
professions Of economy
Mr. Caulfeld's committee, which has invest
=, gated the New York registration business und,
= Davenport, has reported both a majority and
= minority report. The later is prepared by Colon,
Joyce, rs one Of the committee It shows Tia
D., Davenport was peculiarly qualified for his dute,
:, that he was honest, competent and faithful nm
= that his success was sufficient guarantee of IL
! fitness and ability, The report shows the abs,
. lutte necessity of Dayenports system for proven
>, ing frauds in the democratic wards Of New Yor
city. 1t relates the history Of the Tamnan
frauds the Lawrence investigation in 1861; tn
subsequent legislation which carried the Dayel
-, port system into operation, and the distinction
:, the organized schemes 10 carry out fraud in Ne
: York. The report makes no recommendation
= except that the Davenport system be continue,
=, and declare II as their opinion that the Ion,
tedious and expensive investigation by the con
mitiee was entirely useless
= PERSONAL.
James 5. Delano who has lust been confirme
as deputy second comptroller Of the treasury IL