Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-18
Che Daily frtss aud 9akotaiau
YkNKTOk DAKOTA,
Monday Evening, February ,s, 1878
uew,rr's SENSATION.

house, there was q scene Of reconciliation |
OF h purest SOFT. A minority Of that
body who, many Of them had gwen their
blood and limbs to perpctuate slavery, &C
cepted . striking portrait Of the scene which
made its perpetuation impossible. To-Day,
10 striking contrast. there was y scene Of
confusion and angry turmoil. reaching q
degree of excitement that Is rarely Wit.
messed. 1t compares with the memorable
DAYS of last session when the electoral con-
troversy was going on, and the days of the
session before, when Blaine fought the ex-
cohtederacy single handed. So mild q
piece Of legislation as the West Point
academy appropriation bill was under con-
sideratioD, tut there was IN undercurrept
OF suppressed excitement growing out of
the Louisiana prosecution which has been
expected for several days to break out at
any time. The hall Of representatives, was
almost deserted while the bill was being
considered q paragraph at a time, members
Immediately interested only being present,
and the rest OF the house were either in the
cloak or committee ooms. The row be-
gan yesterday, when Hewitt defended West
Point and was rebuked by a South Car.
olina Kuklux named Aiken, TO whom
Hewitt administered a severe cas,igation,
telling him the south had reason to dislike
West Poiut academy and regret its cxis
tence. Hewitt continued ~ defend the
academy, and to day Aiken again tainted
him, charging this time that he had betrsy
ed the democratic party and aided tue re-
publicans TO count in a president, quoting
from l!ewitt's speech, 10 which the latter
said he would rather have Hayes insugur-
shed. Hewitt is naturally q
quiet peaceable man, but is of a very ex-
citable disposition, and has several times
during his short congressional experience
made himself a disturber Of the peace.
Last session he had a row with Mr.. Hoar,
charging him with having said what Hoar
did not say, about admitting witnesses to
testify before the electoral commission. A
good anecdote Of that occurrence: Each
had spoken once, and Mr.. Hewitt was re-
peating his attacks when Mr.. Ho,r came up
TO a little group on the edge Of the speakers
table with both hands in his pockets and
that siding motion which makes him look
like the old woman he is not. II don't
think Hewitt intends to misrepresent me-"
said Mr.. Hoar, II have always found him a
perfect gentleman; but l will say ,heologic-
ally speaking, his statement is a d. 1.-The
d-est lie l ever heard" Smarting under
Aiken's taunt to-day, Hewitt replied ex-
ciledly that he had not betrayed the demo-
cratic party nor sold the presidency, but
HAD BEEN ASKED TO BUY THE PRESIDENCY.
Immediately there was a scene of the ut.
most confusion, a hundred members rising
to demand an explanation. Blackburn was
in the chair, and enjoys a row, SO he let it
60 on. As soon as Hewitt could make him
self heard he asked il he WAS wanted to tell
,La ,,,,r.;tto~ 1,;aso., rs ,k. n1.o,o~, oo,.t
and the reply was unanimous shout in the
themselves, and the word of alarm ran
was a perfect babel. Fifty men asked to
speak, but Blackburn, as presiding officer,
wanted TO see the fun, and would recognize
no one but Hewitt, who was busy dispatch
ing pages on unknown errands. Randolph,
Tucker, and other democrats, got hold OF
Hewitt, and engaged in an animated consul.
tation With him. apparently with an inten,
10 suppress him, but they did not succeed,
and when Hewitt said "Mr. Chairman" the
buzz, and hum, and shouting ceased instant.
", and the entire house crowded around
him, forcing q circle before the clerks desk,
around Hewitt, who was excitedly pacing an
area about ten feet square, and shaking off
every one who approached him. The ex.
element was intense all around, and Hewitt,
began:
ZONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NOVEMBER
q year ago. a gentleman called upon me"
Just here he was Interrupted by confusion
again, for Garfield entered the hall, breath.
less, with his overcost on. and hat in hand,
and was met by Hale, Foster, Frye, and
Congcr. Garfield threw his overcoat into q
chair, tossed his hat on . desk. and started
rapidly down the aisle to where Hewitt
was standing and sat calmly down in one
of the front seats 10 listen. Silence Wa
again restored, and every ear was alert to
hear what unwritten history the chairman
of the democratic national committee would
reveal. Hewitt proceeded then, and instead
Of repeating unwritten history, told the
scandal brought out before Dudley Fleld'e
committee by the detective, Maddox. abou,
the alleged attempt Of Madison Wells to
lare. There was q buz Of disappointment
oil over the house, but that which came
from the reporters gallery was very strong.
~ marked 1t is said BY democrats tina,
Hewitt intended to tell another story when
be began, but changed his mind and sub.
stituted the Maddox scandal rather thar
appear to have been blufed down. Hewitt,
alluded to the Wormley conference and the
fact that the opposition to flibustering came
from the south. and concluded by saying
that it would not do for any one from the
south to charge him with betraying his
party. The excitement subsidized in genera
dis appointment that Hewitt did not tel
something new, and an attempt was made
to adjourn, but the republicans opposed
adjournment, Is they wanted 10 be heard il