Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-07-12
Prom Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c. July s. 1882.

MASHlNGIONs II. ~ July O. lcc-s
Yesterday was what is termed a field
lay in congress. Messrs. Robson Of New
Jersey aud Whitthorne OF Tennessee gave
expression to long pent feeling on the
naval question. and personalities were
hurled with a violence that reminded one
Of the DAYS before the war.
On the question of reeonstructing the
navy, Mr.. Robson held that it was far
more necessary to maintain s complete
avy than TO contribute so literally 10 an
extraordinary growth of the army. The
that were now being made
for the support of the navy, he claimed,
were simply for the comfort and conven-
fence of the officers and others who COM
posed the personnel of that branch of the
service. He then proceeded TO reply to
the newspaper attacks made upon him
while he was secretary of the navy. He
said that such attacks were malicious and
libelous. He had been charged with an
extravagant expenditure Of the appropri.
atoms. This he denied most emphatically.
Mr.. Robson was very earnest in bis de-
livery, and was listened TO with close
attention, and more than once expressions
were heard on various sides 10 the effect;
" Thark Heaven, the old man has q
chance at last"
While Mr.. Robson was closing the de-
bate on the bill, at -: 80 O'Clock, he took
occasion to make some scathing remarks
in referring to his administration Of the
navy department. and the reflections
which have been cast upon it. He referred,
in the most scorching language, to the
action of the forty.fourth congress, which,
under the sage of Gramercy Park, came
into power with the cry of reform, which
sounded much like the rebel yell and,
without mentioning any name, referred to
Mr.. Whitthorne of Tennessee In the bit
terest terms. Referring to the investiga-
lions undertaken by that congress, and
the men qualified 10 carry them on In the
manner they were, he said " II there was
a man who was charged, whether true or
or false, with purloining the funds of bis
State"
AT this iuncture Mr.. Whitthorne stepped
directly in front of Mr.. Robson anC
excitedly exclaimed: That's lie, anC
whoever repeats ii is a liar" Thi
created roaring sensation, aud every
member sprsng to bis feet and rushed
forward anticipating personal set to
Mr.. Peelle of Indiana asked that tht
language be taken down. Mr.. Robson
waving n dissent with both hands, pro
tested by saying: " Oh, never mind it.
have applied my language to no one. |
any man feels it true let him step forwar,
and acknowledge it." An exciting seen
was that on the door at this time, tn
confusion from which attracted the ser
geant-at arms to the floor, and,his presenc
and the rattle of the speakers gavel 500
, quieted matters.
, After the naval bill had passed, Mr.
Whitthorne arose and said that he made
personal application of Mr.. Robertson
remarks, because the latter, true to hi
) instincts as when secretary Of the navy
/ had been looking up the school fund mat
ter OF Tennessee. He said that he ha
never had any connection with the schoc
fund. He said thst he hal been folowe
day and night BY detectives from the nav
department. who had made inquiries int
his moral defects. These men elaine
that they had a case, bat it was an infs
nous lie. He bad proposed 10 do his dut.
without fear or favor, and he was followe
because he had done his duty As membe
r Of the House. This explosion has bee
long exp9ctel from the unpleasanlnes
! that has existed, since the days Of Grant
last term, between the x-secretary Of th
lazy ana the ex chairman Of the demo
cratic naval committee.