New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-30
WASHINGTON.
-u,vKsG1vING LULL IN AFFAIRS.

MANI11N " O~''
,r,,,UnScrvTNG IJIL IN AFFAIRS.
80 nors NOT voTR on THE CONTESTED
cAsEs-TwO CAUcUsEs-GENhrALi ia i'' . ~
r1RMarToN DISCUSSED.
The Senate was in session yesterday, but
reached no decision on the pending contest
The time was spent in debate. Caucuses
were held Yesterday by the Republicans ana
Democrats of the Senate. In Executive seS-
sion. General Harlan's nomination was con-
frmed, and a motion was then made to recon
slider so as TO allow Senator Edmunds ana
other absentees to vote The nomination oI
Collector Thomas at Baltimore was confirmed
Ex-Governor Kellogg denies, In letter 10
Senator Wadleigh, the charge of having tined
improperly to influence the Returning Board.
FRUITLESS DAY IN THE SENATE.
-FOUR HOURS OR so OF INTERESTING DEBATE, AND
THAT Is ALL - HILL, WADLEIGH, CoNKLING,
CAMERON.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUFE.l
WAsHISGIoS, Nov 29.-The Senate accomplished
absolutely nothing in its Thanksgiving Day session.
After sitting about four hours and half 1t adj
journed, leaving the pending questions advanced
not a single step beyond the position IN which theY
were left last evening.
The day was spent in debate, participated IN oy
Senators on both sides Of the chamber and cohnhou
10 the merits neither of the Kellogg nor Butter case
While the former is the question techmcaily peIoio
Senate the latter is really as much under cohsluer@-
ton. and the monotony Is occasionally broken 10y
speech upon the question whether the Committee on
Privileges and Elections has been dgent or not in
tie disposition Of the business before 1t. The old
stories were told over again to-day and even the
oh I,,vv
advantage of being fresh or bright
senator Hill completed the speech he began yes
terlav in favor Of further inquiry by the Committee
on Privileges and Elections in regard 10 the election
and organization Of the Louisiana Legislature. lie
brought out many strong points IN his remarks. lie
seems 10 have gone into the investigation OF the
questions involved with more thoroughneSs than
anv other Democratic member of the committee
Mr. Hill is an able and logical speaker but MS
strong points are best brought out III carefully pre-
r4red addresses He does not succeed in rough-and-
tumble debate and this was the secret OF his COM
,lete overthrow when he entered the lists with Mr..
Blaine during the first session of the last Congress
The Senate presents much more favorable field for
the display of his powers rs debater. He lacks.
Lowcver. that Quckuess Of apprehension and swift
ness in retort which might make him something Of
n match for such men on the Republican side as
Senators Elmunds and Conk'ing.
Senator Wadlci-h, the chairman Of the commit
tee responded but he was So pcsered and confused
bv the shower of questions denial>. and assertions
which was poured upon him by tie Democrats, that
he was UNEQUAL 90 the task he undertook. Except
for the fact that senator Conklug came 10 bis res
cue at very critical point IN his speech, he would
undoubtedly have come out of the contest without
Layi gained any honors, in spite of the cIcum-
stance that Le had the record and tie facts On hrs
side.
Dr. Coublng's interruption, just at time when
Senator " deigh was being bUteted about by the
Democrats, was exceedingly opPortune. Taking adj
vau.a-e of some unsupported assertions made by
tie Democrats, and especially by senator Mcdonald,
he launched forth into Of bis eloquent but soath-
ing deuuuCailons of the opposition that the galleries
ike 10 listen 20. and which give the Democrats 80
much trouble either TO meet OF answer. Senator
Gordon did undertake 10 make a reply, but Mr..
Coukln1 interrupted him early IN his speech to call
bis attention o the fact that the accusations which
Nj Gordon SAID the senator from New-York lad
made against General Builder, bad not been made
OF al, Tie truth is, that there Is no man in
public life VINO is so skiuiul in the use
q language, especially when he tries TO
make an attack on a political opponent and
leave open opportunity for successful contradIc-
ton as Senator Couklmg. One of his denUnciatory
impression that he accepts as fully proved every
accusation to which he refers, and which no clothes
- such strkiugly eloquent language. When the
speech comes 10 be read, it is often found that he
made no assertions whatever and that all his de-
nunciatious were hypothetical yet their effect is
Just as great, and, on account of the manner of
their delivery. they are uuauswerable.
Senator Cameron, Of Wisconsin made a speech in
which he lt Senator Patterson blow which took the
latter entirely by surprise. He reminded him M
Ply 10 am interruption, that Patterson might be
excused for not understanding the geography of
south Carolina, as he had been so long away from
the State. When Mr.. Patterson said, snappishy,
81 have been there since you have" Mr. Cameron
instantly replied, But you dld not stay long" at
which retort there was much laughter on the floor
and in tie galleries.
after speeches by Senators MerImOn and S3r-
gent on the Butler case, Mr. Salisbury made an
effort 10 call back the attention of the Senate 10 the
Kellogg case. lie spoke until o'clock, TO much the
came purpose as yesterday.
Mr. Conover then moved that the Senate proceed
10 the consideration of Executive business and the
motion was carried. Half an hour later the Senate
adjourned until tomorrow.
CAUCUSSES BY BOTH PARTIES.
WIEN TO TAKE THE VOTE OS TIE CONTESTED CASTS
NEITHER PARTY KNOWS lis OWN MIND.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE