Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-17
The Notwithstanding Affair.

The following are the particulars of the set
Element Of the Gordon CoDklug affair, the fact
of which was published in Saturdays Gazette ::
When the Senate adjourned Friday several
Senators. acting without consultation with their
principals undertook to compose the difficulty.
They met for that purpose at the Capitol
These persons were llamln and Howe on the
part of Conkling, and Ransom and Mcdonald
on the part Of IrdoD. They sat until an hour
past midnight Friday night, and reasscmblcd at
eleven o cit OK Saturday morning when stale.
ment was agreed upon, which Was entirely sat
isfactory to the friends of both Senators. This
settlement was formally accepted by Conkliug
and Gordon, md was brought into the Senate
and read there.
The friends of General Gordon say that the
reports that any communication was exchanged
between the parties or sent or received by either,
either of direct or an indirect character, are
wholly uptoundcd. No communication passed.
Efforts for peace we're Immediately begun by
gentlemen whose character was guarantee that
a settlement would be arrived at. 1t is certain
that Phil. Sheridan aud Senator jones, of Ne
vada, were Mr.. CoDklin's special counsello1s,
hut uether Of these gen tlemen will make any
statements upon the subject.
During Saturdays session Of the Senate the
following proceedings took place, as reported in
the Record:
Mr.. Thurman. Dir. President, there is a
matter to which the attention OF the Senate
will be called. am authoriz ID to say or to be-
lieve, and that ought to be considered perhaps
with closed doors; and under Rule 81 move
that the doors of the Senate be closed.
MIR. Allison and Mr.. Morrill, That can be
done.
The Presiding Officer. The Senator from
Ohio moves that the doors be closed.
The motion was agreed to; and the doors of
the Senate Chamber were closed.
Mr.. LI.mn (whic tn. doors wcr, closely
submitted the following old2r; which was con
sidered BY unanimous consent, and unanimously
agreed to-
Wheross q misunderstanding having arisen
between Hon. Roscoe Conkling and Hon. John
B. Gordon in the course of the executive pro-
ceedings of the Senate Of yesterday and mutual
understandings thereon having been arrived st
as set out in the following per:-Itis
Ordered, That said psper be entered a. large
on the Legislative Journal of the Senate,
namely
During an executive session Of the Senste
he'd yesterday words were uttered both by
Conkling Of New York, which were mutuslIy
felt to be unkind and offensive Reports Of the
incident appearing in the papers CT this morning
which are inaccurate and unjust to both speakers;
upon careful inquiry as to what was said by
each speaker and whst was understood to be
said by the other, it is certain that the first of
fensive words ware inspired by an honest mis-
understanding Of VIII vt had been Innocent y said
by the other speaker. One harsh remark pro-
v0keu another, as too often happens but all that
was offensive WAS the outgrowth Of missppre.
hension. Since such was the fact we, who are
mutual friends of both Senator'S are of the OPT
MON that it is due alike TO the Senate and the
Speakers III At whatever was felt to BE- unkind
or offensive in thu remarks of eithsr should be
treated as if never utter and, we are now
authoriz ID 10 state, are mutually and simultsn-
cously Withdrawn.
II. HAMLIN,