New-York tribune., 1880-04-06

, to excupate himself from responsibility for the
attack on Mr.. Springer by The Washington Post.
Mr.. Springer then rose and read the anonymous
letter which offered him a bribe, and also an
other letter from II. ii. Finley, which pressed
him threateningly to vote to seat DOnnelly. He
said the two letters weie apparently in the same
writing, and both from an agent of MIR. Tilden
The House was much interested and applauded
the explanation. Ex-senator Osborn, of Florida,
claims that State for the Republicans The
River and HarbOr and the Naval bills have been
finished by subcommittee.
THE VINDICATION OF Mr.. SPRINGER
AN EXPLANATION To THE HOUSE WHICH is HEARTILY
AppIAupEp-THE HAND OF MR.. TILDEN RE-
vEALED IN THE wAsHBURN CASE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUNEl
WASHINGTON. April 5.-The expectation OF
lively scene between Mr.. Springer and Mr.. Man-
ming drew a large number of visitors to the House
of Representatives this morning; and soon after
I2 o'clock the galleries were we'll filled.
As usual on Monday, the roll of States and
Territories was called for the introduction OF bills
and Joint resolutions. Mr. Manning was In his
seat early and during the routine proceedings i'm
patience and IepreSsed excitement quite ap-
parent on his part. Mr. Springer. who came in later
was very cool. Mr.. Donnelly, probably for the
first time in his life. kept himself in the back
ground.
When Mr.. Manning had secured the floor he sent
to the Clerks desk the article published In The Hdsh-
iagoa Post last Saturday, in order that it might be
read. Mr.. Manning then proceeded with his eX-
PLANTATION. which was shTewdly drawn and avoided
sorle material points. He did say, however, that
certain portions of the article were not true. He
had never accused Mr.. Springer. he said. of having
received 4 bribe to vote against DOnnelly. He
left 1t plainly to bs inferred that he retracted his
accusation that Mr. Springer had been guilty of
dupIicity and-the assertion that the anonymous
letter had produced any influence upon Mr.. Spring
ers conduct. Mr.. Mannng's explanation was
apparently received with good deal of reservation
by the House.
Mr.. Springer began bis remarks by saying that in
twenty years of public life his personal integrity
had never before been impIgned. He had asked
the Editor of The Post whether Mr. Manning had in
dorsed the publication in that newspaper The
written reply to this inquiry was read 1t appears
that before the article was printed the substance
of it communicated TO Mr.. Manning. and while
that gentleman dis. Iot terms indorse it, neither
did he deny its correctness. He simply gave the
impression that it correct, but that he did not
desire to be responsible for it. Mr.. Springer then
remarked that the question now appeared TO be one
of veracity between Mr. Manning aud The Post; "a
question:" he continued, with which have not
the slightest coucern." Mr. Springer then went on
to explain the receipt of the anonymous letter by
his wife in his absence. This letter follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WAsnfYGTON March T. 1880 :
The Hon. WIN. M. SPRINGER,
SIR: If you Will keep Mashburn in bis seat In spite
thing squashed at once. Respectfully
When Mrs. Springer received this 10 tier, which
she regarded as an insult both to her husband and
herself. she was highly indignant She at once be-
leved that 1t was the work Of Donnelly, and that
it was an attempt to coerce her husband TO yete Tor
him. She at once sent for Mr.. Julian. the counsel
for Mr.. Donnely, and showed him the letter. She
declared that Donnelly had written or inspired 1t.
While Mr. Springer was making this explanation
respecting his wife's connection with the affair." his
voice tremblcd and he appeared greatly agitated.
Mr.. Springer went on to say that coincidenty
with the receipt of the anonymous letter was that
OF another. The latter was signed. Both were
placed in his hands at the same time, on his return
from New-York The remarkable similarity of the
handwriting of these two letters struc him ut once
close comparison convinced him that they were
written by the same person. number of gentle
men to whom he had submitted them held the same
opinion. Mr.. Springer then sent the latter to the
Clerks desk and had it read This letter is signed
Henry Ii. Finley" Mr.. Finley has been in Wash
ngton ever since the meeting of Congress. He as
,nmes to be- and is generally believed to be. pOlit
zeal agent Of Samuel J. Tilden having appeared in
that capacity in the Winter of 1S76-'77 and he is
The Tilden agent whose connection with the at
ionpt to steal Mr.. WaslbIn's seat was mentioned
Ia Washington dispatch to The TRIBUNE more
ian mouth ago. Mr.. Finlcy's letter was quite
Ng, but its reading listened to with great in
rest especially by the Republicans who heartily
ujoyed the whole of the proceedings The letter
'hich is dated March and is marked "confdcn-
Al will f,1 in tba
Congressional proceedings) urges the seating Of
)onney imperatively and threatenngly.
Mr. Springer contnued Il told Mr.. Donnelly |
1T suspected Mr.. Finley wrote the anonymous
ter, and that he had also Written me a threaten
letter in which he assumed to represent Mr..
den. / added that if Mr. Tlldcn expected me to
,te against my conscience and judgment he would
disappointed" Mr.. Springer went to show that
whole correspondence was designed to coerce
III into voting for Donnclly. He then explaincd his
curse in regard to the throughout and showed
hat he had been consistent aud stragh for ward.
He then called upon Mr.. Soeer, Mr.. Phlsief, ,
MIR Kelfer Mr.. Weaver, Mr.. Arn'feid, snd Mr..
ralkins, all of whom are members Of the Elections
Committee.
Each one of them confirmed the statement made
During all this time Mr.. Manning wasvery rest
less aud excited. lie interrupted Mr. Springer sew
tl times TO cr0ss-questiOn him. did not succeed
ia breaking the force Of his statement in single
particular.
At the close OF his remarks Mr. Springer was
heartily applauded especially by the Kepubllcals;
and the unanimous opiniOn appeared to be that he
neeed no further vndlcatiOn.
Mr. Manning followed in IA few feeble remarks in
which lie tried 10 defend Donnclly He was called
tQerder because lie branched OFF into discussion of
SIG election itself. Mr.. Manning evidently re-
&Asd the awkward position in which he had
vHcod himself and felt that he ought to say some
tpfg. out the general opinion appeared to be that |
o1nau sad quite too much already. The House |
pd}n very little attention 10 his closing remarks.
All. lgnatias Dopnely, who stood behind screen |
~ q da1k cor1er. watched the proceedings with |
great interest. lie quickly took himself out of the
nsli as sooh on as 9ir. Manning sat down. 1t is quite