The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-17
Washington.

Washington.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN
SENATORS GORDON AND CoNKLTNG-HOW 1T
AROsE-sENAToR BUTLER's RESOLUTIONS
OF INvEsTIGATIoN-THE GLOVER INvEsTI-
CATION MISUNDERSTANDING, &C.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, December 15.-The throne
at the Capitol this morning was in eager ex-
pectatfon to learn more aboHt the rumored
difficulty between Senators Gordon and
Conkling during the secret session Of the
Senate last evening. The Senate galleries
were consequently well filled and the re-
portcrs' gallery crowded. Both senators
took their seats, and were from time to time
in conference with friends-Mr. Conkling
with Messrs. Hamlin, Howe, and others,
and Mr.. Gordon with Messrs. Lamar, Ran
som, Butler, and others. Every move
ment Of either was watched closely,
and when Mr.. Gordon, with hat in
hand, left the Senate, it was the basis Of
a rumor that he had gone out Of the city.
Finally, Mr.. Thurman moved that the Sem
ate sit with closed doors, and steps were
lucu Iuhcu lOl luC rIuulICl,
Messrs. Hamlin and Howe managing for
Mr.. Conkling, and Messrs. Ransom and
Butler for Mr.. Gordon. The result reached
was that the offensive language used by both
senators was used under misapprehen-
sion, and that both withdrew simultaneously
the Objectionable epithets.
1t is now known that the difficulty origi-
mated last evening during executive ses-
sion over the case OF the collector OF Mobile.
1t seems that General Gordon wanted the
report OF the Committee on Commerce in
regard to it read, and urged that it be done,
when Mr.. Conkling, from his seat, in loud
tone said, "Oh, let us go on with the cal
endar." Senator Gordon replied, "See
how the New York senator dictates to the
President how business shall proceed"
Mr.. Conkling then said, III the gentleman
from Georgia assumes to say that am die
tating the business of the Senate he says
what is not true.' General Gordon eve
will settle that" Conkling: "We can set
tic il now" Gordon: "No, we will not
settle it here, but will settle it elsewhere"
The bearing OF Conkling has been most
offensive all the session, and bis conduct in
regard to General Butler was outrageous
during the consideration OF his credentials
as senator from South Carolina.
SENATOR BUTLER. OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The bearing OF Senator Butler, of South
Carolina, in the Senate to-day was superb.
He offered resolution looking to the fullest
investigation Of the charges made against
him pending the consideration OF his Gre
dentials. In fact, it was substantially the
same resolution that was then offered by
Edmunds. To-day Messrs. Cameron OF
Wisconsin and ingalls, objected to its con-
sideration, and it went over. MI. Butler
said it was marYcllously strange, If not mar
yellousIy unfair. in the Senator from Wis
consin TO do this, because he had voted for
this very resolution when proposed by Mr.
Edmunds, and taken the ground that he
should not be allowed to take his seat until
the investigation was had. Mr.. Thurman
wanted it acted upon because he had pro-
missed in the name Of General Butler that it
should be offered, and Mr.. Blaine said Mr.
Butler had accomplished his whole object
by offering the resolution, rs he had thereby
shown his willingness to have the fullest in
vestigation.
THE GLOVER RESOLUTIONS GO OVER.
The Republicans commenced fiibustering
on the Glover resolutions as soon as they
were reached this morning, and it was at
once apparent that they meant to do their
utmost to defeat them by dilatory motions.
Once when they refused to vote DIR.
Wright, Democrat, from Pennsylvania,
called on the Speaker to enforce the rule !;
and when told that it could not be done be
said he would put them in the custody OF
the Sergeant-at-Arms and confine them in
the basement Of the Capitol. The resolu-
tions, 1t will be remembered, give commit
tees in Investigations power to send for per-
sons and papers without the permission Of
the House, and the Radicals having found
out that the Democrats intend to lnyestI-
gate the Navy Department under Robson,
and other departments which are notori-
ously rotten, are determined that they will
defeat them If possible. Threats were prt-
vately made which looked as il both intend
ed at O'Clock to fight it out until morning.
Many Democrats think Dir. Wood COM
mitted an error in not reporting the reso-
Iutions at an earlier day.. AT 20 minutes to
4 Mr.. Mills said it was evident that nothing
could be done, and moved to postpone ua-
til January. Mr.. Wood said the minority
had defeated action which the country de-
manded. Mr.. Hale said the minority was
unwilling to give this power to fragmentary
committees sitting during recess.
TIE VIRGINIA SENATOR'S. ill
Senator Withers, who was sick the night
the vote was taken on the New York ap-
pointments, Is still confined at his home in
Alexandria by indisposition. He intended
coming to Richmond during the session OF
the Masonic Grand Lodge, but was too un-
well to do so. Senator Johnston is one OF
the three Democratic senators who is chair
man of committee, the other two being
Bayard and Thurman. His TeXas-Pacifc
~ rsofa Co. tta -,
line, and S6,4O0,0OO for the extension to
Vicksburg.
THE MEXICAN WAR NEWS.
The news received at the War Depart
ment to-day to the effect that there had been
fighting in Ell Paso county between the
Texas State troops and large: force OF
Mexicans who attacked them, and that there
were six Texans killed.. stirred up consid-
cradle excitement, especially among Tex
ans. It was stated that the President had
at once ordered United States troops to be
sent there; but Texas member says that
the nearest troops are at Fort Clark, and
that Fort Clark is 300 miles from the point
at which the fighting took place. II this be
so, it would take these troops at least q
week to get there.
BRIEFS.
Mr. DefreeS, superintendent Va Puole
printing. informed Senator Johnston to-day
that in three weeks he will have to discharge
900 male and female employees in his depart
ment. There are 1890 employees in all.
The House Naval Committee has appoint
ed q sub committee to consider how to make
the navy more efficient than it is.
Ben. Hill and Blaine had sharp passage
OF arms in secret session yesterday evening,
A Democratic senator to-day remarked
that the vote pivan by Democratic senators