The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-15
In SENATE OF THE u. STATES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IA, 1919


The VICE PRESIDENT stated the business before
the Senate to be the report made by the select committee
relative to the eligibility OF the Hon James Shields to a
seat the Senate the question pending being upon the
motion made by Mr. FoorE to postpone The further con-
sideration OF the subject until the first Monday in De-
cember next
one quarter of the Senate yesterday sir that the resou
tion as it stands, would be acceptable, very probably,
with the addition OF word or two IN some degree ex-
panatory of the principle upon which It proceeded.
Suggestions to that effect made by the honorable
senator from Name, Mr. BRADBURY, and believe by
the honorable senator from New York, Mr. SEWARD
Mississippi Mr. FooTEl will withdraw his motion for
that the resolution may be qualified BY the
addition OF these words and passed. 1t be shall not
withdraw his motion, SIR hope that we shall take the
upon the question OF posponement; and that being
decided adversely, the resolution be amended, and
the subject disposed OF.
Mr. DOUGLAS asked the yeas and nays; which
Mr. DICKINSON Before that question is taken, F!
should like know whether the person most Interested
in this desires it, IL he does not ask it, no reason
why we should vote for it.
Mr. RUSK | understand that it would be acceptable
to him, although he does not wish to interfere In the
matter shall vote for the postPonement can see no
injury to result whatever from that course There Will
be very little business to transact at this session OF
Congress; and by the time Congress meets again. the
senator will have opportunity to reflect upon the mat
ter Ii he become satisfied that he is ineligible by the
constitution OF the United States it will put him in ia
the legislature Of Illinois will not meet for year.
Mr. DOUGLAS, I'm his seat) year from next
January.
MIR RUSK Under the circumstances, shall vote for
the posponement, for can harm to come from II
to any Of the parties interested Is N
Mr.. ATCHlSON. Ii | could see any reason at all,
would vote for it. If the party his friends would say
that they expect to introduce any further testimony or
TO show any further cause why the party Is entitled 70
his seat would most che.riully vosefot IT. But sir
do not believe that it would be at all beneficial TO the
patty unless he does expect 10 establish something FUR
iher On the contrary, believe 1t would operate as
serious injury him 1t strikes my mind, that there
bat one question involved in the matter as presented
by the committee and 1t is this: Was General Shields
eligible to the time OF his election, or the time
when his senatorial functions commenced, on the 9Th
of March, Now, sir, to make him eligible in either
case, he must have been citizen OF the United
States for period Of nine years. From the testimony,
the nine years will elapsed until the 2st of
October next So that it cannot by any process Of
sonng be OF benefit to him to postpone the matter until
the Isl of December If believed that by postponing it.
he would be at that time eligible would vote for it,
if Gen. SHIELDS, any man else, will suggest that
they have further important testimony will not ask
what that testimony sif they make stronger state
ment of fac,s-I will not ask howl will vote for the
Mr.. SHIELDS. / take the liberty of stating, that
what intended when offered TO present communica-
ton 10 the committee this that would never re-
turn to this body subject myself to the annoyancee TO
which have been subjected since entered the body.
unless could return with the most nconiesable proof
OF my elgbiity and could not bring that proof, to
resign my time, and in my own way; and II re.
turn at all, return with new appointment Such were
the motives which actuated me when presented or At
tempted to present, communication to the honorable
committee who had this matter in charge AS that COM
muncation failed reach the committee by the accident
of the messenger, and the report as now stands s
adverse to me, felt, said yesterday, that should
make further effort to oppose the acton OF the Senate
AT that time, sir felt that should derive some advan-
tage from posponement to give me an opportunity 70
seek for testimony; and if failed 10 procure undsputabe
could then send my resignation TO the COVER
nor and return with his appointment, or, waiting for the
action OF my Legislature, return again az senator by
AT present, sir shall quietly passively, and unresis
ingy submit the decision Of this honorable body.
Mr. SEWARD. should be unwilling to vote against
the posponement which might seem to be act OF cour-
tesy if desired by the senator from Illinois. IGen.
SHELDs whose seat is the subject OF the present ques
ton But cannot shut my eyes to the consequences
of voting Tor pOstpOnement unless the reasons
and grounds for that vote shall be understood. The
view have taken of this subject Is, in part, that
which is taken by the senator from ILLINOIS. lMr;
DouGLAs1 who addressed the Senate yesterday, and
who is the colleague OF the senator whose seat Is now
contested. The qualification of residence and natu-
razaiion for period OF nine years Is qualcson not
required at the time of election but it is qualification
which must exist at the time of the commencement OF
the term and therefore rose yesterday with the hope
's sach s has now been offered he
BILE senator from Massachusetts,, lMr. WEBsTER,1 or
another amendment which would make the resolution
express the sense of the House this way: that the
senator from Illinois is entitled to seat in this cham
ber IT, them the question is upon postponement,
vote for postponement would be --
Mr.. WALKER (nterposng) Will the senator from
New York permit me to read resolution which think
will meet all oblectionsi 1t is as follows:
Resolved That the Hon JAMES SHIELDS is ineligible to
the Senate of the United States member thereof
That would leave the question open
Mr. SEWARD. l suppose that that resolution meets
nv views unless there shall be some criticism upon tne
word 'ineligble" resolution TO postpone this ques-
ton until the session implies want OF preparation
to vote upon the il exists now or else 1t may
seem to imply belief upon the part of those who vote
for il that different may be presented at the next
session | agree with my friend the senator from Mis-
souri mir ATcHIsoN,1 that this case is not to
be changed except be by presenting to this House.
at the next session OF Congress, evidence to show
that James Shields had been nauaized nine years pre-
yious 10 the 4lh of March instant If that gentleman, or
his colleague, his friends will say that they expect to
be able or hope be abe to furnish evidence to that
effect going this conclusion. II IS courtesy due to the
SENATOR and due the State of Illinois, to grant the post
but if the house to be left to the c0nclu
that the facts cannot be changed upon which this
report is based then strikes that those only vote
for posponement who not prepared to say that nat
urazaton and residence nine years previous to the 4h
of March is necessary qualification for senator 1t is
under this view that, while under act of courtesy, If
required, would cheerully vote for the post
ponement cannot for it, because my mind made
up upon the present case and the qualifications, in nay
judgment. cannot mature rpcn before the first Mon
day of December next or at any future time
Mr.. DOUGLAS. certainly did understand my col
league to intimate in his remarks yesterday that ne
hoped produce additional evidence which would render
his seat at the next session, uncontestabe thar ne
failed that-(and that his oblec; in applying 10 the
committee for postponemenl-f ne failed IN mat nc
would trouble this body again until ne came oy
new appointment ...L.~..
Mr. SEWARD II still occurs to me that the quesuon
presented in precisely the same view nasc az niue