Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
air WASHINGTON LETTER.
4 DECIDED SENSATION.

gespesurs Bent.iie's Reselstsen-A SHARP
oissps.,en-wiss and sicadse to the Front
Tho sarcess,op.
lFrom our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, DC, January i5.--
The sensation Of the dsy has been
sharp discussion st the meeting OF the
Naval Committee Of the House on the
resolution Of Boutelle, of Maine. The
resolution provides for az investigation
ofthe charges that the commandant Of the
Norfolk nayy-yard had patriotic inscrip-
tons upon captured cannon and upon
the dry-dook painted over because they
were offensive TO ex-Confederates. and
that Cnionists had been discharged from
the yard and Confederates appointed in
their places. Boutelle treated the COM
mittee to violent stump-speech, al
most foaming at the mouth as he boiled
over with excess OF patriotism and de-
nounced the alleged outrage, and rolled
the words rebels and treason as a sweet
incrsel under his tongue. He claimed,
in effect, that the Union soldiers and
sailors should always hold the offices as
against ex.Confederates under every
Administration, and that the memorials
Of the triumph Of patriotism over tres-
son should be forever preserved.
The manner in which Mr.. George
Wise answered Boutelle can easily be
imagined by those who know him. His
blood was stirred up, and his reply was
vigorous and to the point. He defend
ed the substitution Of Democrats for
Republicans upon the ground that the
Administration had right to put
into the Offices and in places Of
every grade persons ia syfnpa-
Thy with the Democratic party.
They have the right, too, to make ap-
pointments without any inquiry as to
the utilization Of the person during the
civil war. As to the alleged delace-
ment Of inscriptions. be said, it was
time that all such memorials Of civil
strife should be removed.
Mr.. Wise charged that the proposed
investigation was prompted "by Re-
publican Congressman from Virginia."
who wanted TO raise a commotiOn be-
cause his partisans had been discharged
from the navy-yard. If so, he wanted
that man to be brought before the
committee, and he Wise would make
charges against him. Wise remarked
that when the Administration was Re.
publican the maynard was filled with
Republicans, and no question was
raised as to their war record. Exon
federates were appointed as readily as
Cnionists, the only qualification being
that they were followers of Malone
Boutelle admitted that he had con-
ferred with Representative Brady, and
that he had confirmed the charges. but
said the resolution was based upon a
publication in 8 Washington newspa-
per.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Illinois, joined in
the discussion, attacking the civil-ser-
vice pretensions Of the Administration
and rivslling Boutelle in his exhibition
Of venom towards x-Confederates.
Mr.. McAdoo, Of New Jersey, came
to the support of Mr.. Wise in an earnest
plea for peace aud fraternity, and cited
Grant and Sumner as illuStrious exam
pies Of Republicans who had advocated
she removal Of offensive memorials of
the civil war.
Mr.. Hewitt was about to join in the
controversy when the time for adjourn
ment Of the committee arrived. 1t is
expected that the discussion will be re-
newed at the ommittee-meeting next
Tuesday, and that Mr.. Hewitt, Of New
York, and Mr.. Golf, Of West Virginia,
will participate.
During the progress Of the colloquy
Boutelle and Wise emphasized and
pointed their remarks by shaking their
fists at each other across the table.
The fact is they were both pretty hot,
and Boutelle did not recover his equa-
nimity for hours after the committee ad-
iourned. He went about pouring into
ears Of congressman and correspond
ents the story of his performances. No
doubt he will make for himself the pO-
litieal capital cut Of his resolution that
he had in view. The little-minded men
who happen to get into Congress need
and resort TO such expedients to keep
themselves politically ahoat.
A Republican congressman tells me
that there has been change of senti-
ment among Republican senators in re-
spect to the succession bill, and that
if it should be returned TO the Senate
it would probably be indefinitely de-
layed. and its passage this session
possibly defeated. The statement
as TO a change Of opinion and
purpose TO defeat any provision for
the succession is probably incor-
rect, but it is true that a number of
Republican representatives desire to
load the bill with amendments, in the
hope that it may be defeated. The
congressman referred to above no doubt
speaks by the card when he asserts that
that was the policy of himself and
some Of his colleagues.
II. c. Anderson and family, and A.
St. Clair and family, all from Taze-
well county, Va, called upon the
President and the heads Of the En-
ecutive Departments to-day under the
escort Of Colonel Trigg. They had
very pleasant interviews and were
especially pleased with their reception
by President Cleveland.
Washington Notes.