The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-23
Washington.

DEMOCRATIC CHANCE IN NEW HAMP-
sHIRE-THE SPARKS VIEWER sPARRING IN
The HOUSE; WHAT WAS SAID IN THE CASE
YESTERDAY-JUDGE wOODs's NOMINA-
TION-THE ELECTORAL Count, &C.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, December 22.-1he ap-
preaching holiday season promises much
for the social and religious enjoyment Of
the good citizens OF the National Capital.
Preparations on a somewhat extensive scale
are going forward 10 fashionable circles
for making the most OF the OCCASION, and
parties, private theatricas, aud public
amusements will contribute no inconsdera-
bic share TO the time-honored annual ies-
tival. All the Catholic ana Episcopal
churches, aud many OF other denomina-
tons, are prepared TO celebrate Christmas
day with unusual demonstrations OF reli-
gious feryor, and extraordinary efforts have
been made by number OF congregations
to insure that the musical portion OF The
exercises shall be an important feature Of
worship on that day.
TIE HoUsToX-MORTOY REPRESENTATIVES, CON-
TEST.
The influences OF the Christmas season
are not without their effect upon the politi-
c,l world, as Is shown in the recent with
drawa OF the Houston Morton representa-
tive contest in the State OF Delaware. Hous.
ton, In throwing up his case, practically
confessed that he relied much more upon
the prospect OF a Republican majority in the
next House OF Representatives than upon
the justice OF his claim 10 the seat from the
little State. He had prepares no less than
twenty-four charges Of fraud and iniimida-
ton against Morton, whereby be counted
up no less than 10000 votes, which he
claimed were and would have been counted
for him bad the election been fair one. In
this he overshot the total Of votes in the
whole State by some 5000, and made his
case ridiculous.
A DEMOCRATIC CHANCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The death Of epresentative.elect Farr,
OF New Hampshire, opens up chance for
the Democrats OF his district-a close one
to elect his successor. Farr was elected
more on bis personal popularity with the
people than by reason OF any other cause,
and popular Democrat running for the
vacant seat might, and perhaps would, he
returned over any competitor the Republi-
cans could put IN the field.
THE SPARKS. WEAVER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
sURMists, &C.-ACTIoN OF THE HOUSE TO-
DAY.
The Pickwickian scene in The House OF
Representatives yesterday, ia which Messrs.
Weaver and Sparks were conspicuous ac-
tors, has excited great deal OF comment
unravorable 10 both those gentlemen. Such
an affair has not been witnessed in that body
for many years, and it is 10 be hoped may
not soon recur. The skirmsh was Il warm
one while it lasted, but was fortunately
brought TO speedy termination by the
presence OF mind and decisive action Of
Speaker Randall before the antagonists
could come 10 blows. A legend Is afloat
to the effect that Sparks made a
by the coat.tails, completely muflled the
great Greenbacker by pulling that gar
ment over bis head; but the statement lacks
confirmation. At all events, this scene,
disgraceful TO both participants and dis
crednable TO the dignity Of the House. has
demonstrated that all the hot blood OF the
country does not flow 10 the veins OF those
of her citizens who reside south OF the Po-
tomac river. /. seems TO be generally con-
ceded that Mr.. Weaver was in the wrong,
and committed the inaugural act Of the
sQuabble, which makes the situation more
unpleasant for him in view Of his presi-
dental aspirations and the relation he has
recently held towards the country in that
connection. In marked contrast is the dis
play OF good taste OF Mr.. Garfield in taking
the prccautlon TO resign his seat In the
House, and thereby avoiding the possibility
OF complications like the above on the eve
of his advent TO the presidential Office.
WHAT WAS DONE TO-DAY.
In the House to-dly, as soon as the
Speaker called TO order, Mr. Bowman, OF
Massachusetts, called attention TO the oc-
currences OF yesterday, and wanted some
action taken before the Journal was read,
in order that the two offending members
might be properly dealt with before any
legislation should intervene to shelter them
from the operation Of the rule. The
Speaker decided that the reading OF yes.
terday's Journal could not be construed to
be legislation. After the Journal had been
read, McLane Of Maryland, Bowman OF
xf...oah,,ro,ts Da.lralI Of IL .usae and other
members, addressed The Speaker, charac-
tcrzing the action OF Sparks and Weaver
as disgraceiul in The extreme, and demand
log either an ample apology from both, or
a strong resolution Of ceDsure. In course
of the debate the two unfortUnates were
compared 10 actors ia a gambling house
fight, to big boys who, after a mutual
knock.down, spend the ensuing night In
the lookup, and other disparaging COM
parisons, running through
THE USUAL VARIETY OF DIsORDERLY TRANS.
ACTIONS
OF the unsoaped In their more turbulent
were piled ur against them. One
resolution was offered for their expulsion,
and one member said the matter was OF so
serious character that the House
ought to apologize to the country for its &C.
currence. 1t was said that most OF the mem.
bers of TIE body were by implication guilty,
and ought to share the responsibility, be-
cause most OF the members in one way and
another helped TO bring on the hostile de.
by lnterposing irritating re-