Year: 1871

the customary earthly disappointment.
The more Summers decapltation was
talked over the more necessary did several
Senators conclude that this action Of the
caucus should be protested against and
the independence Of individual opinion
asserted, Sorrow over Summers attempt
ed downfall was about equally divided
with indignation at Cameron's elevation
to this most important OF all positions in
the Senate. Several who voted favorably
on the San Domingo resolutions ventured
the opinion that the Executive interfer.
ence was being carried little too far, and
that the Foreign Relations Committee was
being packed with no other or higher
view than instrumentation Of San Domingo
on the return Of the Commission. At ten
o'clock this morning the caucus Assem-.
bled, and Pratt, Of Indiana, made q mo.
tion to reconsider the vote by which the
committees report was adopted in the
caucus Of yesterday.


Chandler Immediately moved to lay
that motion on the table, which was car.
ried-2G to 81. .Hamlin and Kellogg were
among those not voting.


This action was soon noised abroad.
All this talk and gossip and rumor had the
effect to densely pack the Senate galleries
to-day, and the House was entirely desert
ed. Those who were fortunate to have
the entree of the Senate floor took advan-
tage OF 1t, and filled all the vacant chairs
and seats which could be found. Sumner
himself was in his seat, looking as un-
concerned as in those old historic times
when he had jus! shaken the entire coun-
try by one of his magnetic and magniii-
cent speeches In behalf of human free
dom. He was the lion Of the day, and
even eyes towhom his face was familiar
instinctively sought him out and watched
him. He looked somewhat pale from his
recent illness, but otherwise there was
nothing to show that he was more inter.
ested in the debate than the thousands Of
others who were present Immediately
after the reading Of the minutes a motion
was made 10 adjourn until Monday.
Howe then arose and proceeded to make
his report on the standing committees, as
agreed upon in caucus.


Wilson Immediately objected, asking
that the report be postponed at least fol
one day. Thus fairly launched, the debate
became exciting. Schurz made the point
that once again in the history Of parties
the Executive was seeking to dictate the
action Of the Senate, and tue social rela'
tions of members ot this body with the
White House was declared sufficient rea'
son to offset lifelong service, conceded tit'
ness, and experience, for committee posi-
tons.


He was interrupted by Howe, who
wished to correct the idea that Summers
social relations with the President and
Secretary Of State caused the contemplat
ed change. He asserted II on authority
that the Massachusetts, Senator was per
sonally hostile to these two high officials
and was not on speaking terms with tht
latter, having refused to hold any inter
course with him whatever.


Tho Wisconsin Senator had reason L
bitterly repent this indiscreet admission
before the debate of the day was finished
In view of the line Of argument adopted
by others who supported and defended hi
report II had been agreed beforehand
that all facts of this character should bC
kept out of sight, that any attempt Il
magnify the action Of tho caucus into {
personal attack on Sumner should studi
Ously be avoided, and that It should bt
held to be only one Of those little thing
which happened every day, like rain OF
sunshine, having no special significance
and least Of all, any political Importance
but Howe let the cat out Of the bag, and
thcnceforward the debate became interest
Ing, and the true character Of the move
ment was developed. Edmunds made {
bold attempt TO bellttle the whole affair
and pettifogged with admirable zeal Il
show that tho rules Of the Senate required
changes In the craftsmanship OF the com
mittees every two years, and that sucl
changes had been indulgei in for time i'm
memorial without even occasioning 8
newspaper paragraph. Nye and Stewar
also labOred In their own peculiar manner
to drag the question either into ridicule Of
contempt.


The real interest OF the debate, after all
Centered with Howe and Schurz-Howe
because in his after speech he spoke witt
something like authority, and Schurz, be
cause previous occasions have demonstra
ted that he Is the real orator Of the Sen
ate, and he speaks Of things in no gingerlJ
manner. Schurz's first speech was q mer(
statement ol the situation, and he con
fined himself strictly to that, but his re
ply to Howe was so caustic, so sweeping
so thorough and cutting that little wa!
left for the others to say. Holding tht
caucus to the statament which Howe haC
made as to Summers personal standing
with the Executive, and that being th(
reason why this change was insisted upon
he discussed the question in all its aspects
and especially in It's connection with th(
Senate as an independent body. He char
acterized it as an Executive dictation fol
which there could be no possible excuse
and the effect of which In former days
had already shattered one great party II
this country. His illusions to Sumner 0c
Cupying the same seat now as when strucE
down by Brooks, and now sitting thert
only to be again struck down by the gFea
party which be, more than any other liv
ing man, had to build up, struck the pop
ular chord, which raised such q storm o
applause In the galleries, that the Speak
er's gavel in vain Numbered for order.


Howe followed Mr.. Schurz, and at
tempted to reply to him, but the effort wa!
too much for him. He labored in hi
usual dramatic manner, but so illogicallJ
that he himself was even convinced tha
he was making no headway. By his un
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