New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-12
ANOTABLE DAY IN CONGRESS


Mr.. Blaine addressed the Senate yesterday
in support of his resolution on Southern
outrages. The floor, galleries and lObbes of the
Senate chamber were extraordinarily crowded
with distinguished people and their friends
Mr.. Thurman and Mr.. Lamar replied to the
Senator, who, however, was supported by MI
Edmunds. The Republican Senators got inc
hest of the debate. The Potter Committee
will probably investigate the cipher Veier
grams or not, according to the wishes OF
Mr. Tilden and his friends. The House has
nossed the bill to regulate through railroad
rates. General Macfeely testified yesterday IN
regard to the transfer of the Indian Bureau
MR. BLAINE'S POSITION IMPROBABLE.
scrNvs IN THE SENATE YEsTERDAY-A GREAT
cRowD-THE DEMOCRATIC ATTACK ENTIRELY
FRUITLEss.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
ARLINGTON, Dec. 11.-No assemblage IN this
country is so impressive as that whlch at rare IN
tervals gathers in the Senate Chamber or the Hall
90 the REPRESENTATIVES. on great ceremonial occa-
sions or to listen to a notable debate
The central figure on such occasions Is
the Congress of the United States,-a body
which dignifes any occasion by Its presence,
no matter how undgnifed some OF its individual
members may be; and when there gather with IL
MANY of the higher officers of the Government III It's
civil and military service, the representatives OF
foreign powers and the distinguished men and
women who visitWashiDgtOn in Winter or make IL
their temporary residence, the scene itself Is one
long to be remembered.
throng in the Senate Chamber is even more
impressive than far greater one in the more spa
cious hall of the House. Here the surroundings
remind one more of the actual presence of ono OF
the coordinate branches of the Government. The
whole gathering can be more easily seen, and its
character appreciated. In the House the crowd Is
at distance from one who looks down from the
correspondents gallery, and faces can hardly be
seen in the dim light of the remote corners In the
Senate the thrOng is brought into so much smaller
compass that the effect of every word and sentiment
that is uttered can be watched.
Senator Blaine may we'll feel proud of the audi
ence which througed the Senate Chamber, and
which, extending in long lines from the doors of all
the entrances to the galleries then broke of, poT-
tons of it wandering through the corridors in VAIN
efforts to gain admission. For the first tlme eX-
cept on ceremonial occasions like inauguratiOns,
impeachment trials and State funerals even the
space within the bar and Immediately
IN front of the table of the Vlce-Presi-
dent, was flied with chairs, an encroachment never
seen during a debate. Among those who found
places upon the floor were many whose names are
household words from one end of the land 10 the
other Lot NJ. Morrill, of Maine, ex-Secretary o. the
Treasury and ex-senator, man whom everybody
that knows him respects for bis sterling qualities
and ms valuable public services sat in the seat of
his successor Mr. Blaine while the latter addressed
the Senate. General Sherman was just behind the
speaker; and score of other men well known
in public life occupied the chairs that arranged
before the outer row of desks. Through the en-
frances to the chamber and the doors Of the cloak
rooms could be dimly the bright colors of the
costumes of ladies, and the owners of two CT three
of them even ventured inside the portals. About
twO-thrdS of the members of the House of Repre-
sentatves stood in the triangular spaces beyond the
desks, and they very naturally divided on
political lines, majority of those on the right be-
ing Democrats and Of those the left Republicans.
In the galleries the crowd was very dense. Sec
rotary Evarts and his two daughters occupied
front bench among those set aside for the dIpiO-
matte corps. Secretary Thompson accepted chair
on the floor surrendered by Senator. Opposite
Mr.. Evarts was Captain Gore Jones, of the British
Legation. Sir Edward Thornton came in late with
the ladies of his family, and occupied bench near
the door. The remainder of the diplomatic gallery
was filed with gentlemen who are attached to the
various legations. The front seat i'll the gallery
SGT apart for the families Of Senator'S was occupied
by members Of the household Of the President.
Other distinguished persons were spriukled among
the crowd that more than packed that portion of
the house. Not an inch of standing room was there
TO spare anywhere in the galleries.
THE FIRST ENCOUNTER IN TIE DEBATE.
The audience very attentive one. Every
Senator, Republican or Democrat save one, listened
with undivided attention TO every word and SEN
tence which Mr.. Blaine uttered. Senator COnklng
spent the time apparently IN correcting a manu-
script in which he seemed to be much interested.
!.
and emphasis carrying home to every one who
listened the central idea Of every sentence par
agraph. Those who expected a waving Of the
"blOOdy shirt" or gushing, sentimental appeal to
Northern prejudiCes and sympathIes, if there were
any such were disappointed. The point of the
whole address was argUmcntative, and the whole
speech was free from sensational eXaggera-
ton The address was a temperate, careful state
ment of the leading facts of the late elections
in some of the Southern States. disclosure of
the effect fraud and violence at the South has
upon the rights of Northern citizens, and a solemn
warning to the Democracy of the reckoning that is
sure TO come when the people OF the North realize
that they are beng cheated, and not the poor
negroes or the disreputable carpet-baggers Of the
South alone.
The ground Mr. Blaine took was the strongest
possible 1t was impregnable. The Senators who
attempted 70 answer him found it a far different
and more difficult question to handle than that of
Southern outrages as presented heretofore. The
peroratiOn of Mr.. Banes speech was singulaTly elo
quent and effective and called forth applause from
some even who did not agree with the sentiments
which they cheered.
OF course there was no one on the Democratic
side Of the chamber except Mr. Thurman who could
answer Mr.. Blaine and he found it no very easy
task. The amendment which he offered was read,
II. .&,1h IN ffaV