Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-19
Extra Session of the U. 8. Senate.
WASHINGTON, March IL.

contested election case, reported that from the
protest of certain members of the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Legislature
of Pennsylvania, it appeared that the grounds
of the protest are First, that there was not
concurrent majority of each House in favor
of the candidate declared to be elected and
secondly, that the Senate did not comply with
the requirement of the State laws, by appoint
ing Teller, and making nominations, &c, at
least one day previous to the meeting of the
joint Convention. In addition to these grounds,
was third. The protest of the members of
the House of Representatives charges that the
election of Mr.. Cameron was produced as they
are informed and believe, by corrupt and un-
lawful means, involving certain members of
that body and they request the Senate to
order an investigation, not only to inquire in
to the ilegalty of the election, but in order to
afford al opportunity to submit proof as to
the facts on which this charge rests. This,
the Committee say, is a general allegation, and
they cannot recommend the prayer to be grant
ed, owing to the charge being too vague and
indefinite. There was not a single fact or cir
cumstance detailed as the basis of the general
charge ; nor was it alleged that the sitting
member participated in these corrupt means, or
Il
mittee could not, therefore, consider it neces-
sary to appoint a rowing commission to procure
proof of the alleged fraud, in order to deprive
a member of seat to which he is entitled, as
the party charging corruption were charged
with ample power to investigate the matter
If, on investigation, the charges be proven,
and if they believe the character of Mr.. Ca
meron so involved that he should not be o
Senator, the result could be reported, and the
Senate could take further action. With re-
gard to the first two points, the Committee re-
gard the provisions of the law as merely d.
rectory, and failure to comply with them did
not make the election invalid. The Commit
tee asked to be discharged flom the further
consideration of the subject
Mr.. Pugh dissented from the conclusions of
the majority of the Committee. The protest
was signed by forty-fou members, who say
they have been informed and believe that cor
rupt and unlawful means, involving the action
of certain members of the Legislature, have
been used. 1t did not matter that the char
ges are not specific. The accusation came
from responsible source, and was directly
made. 1t concerned the honor of the Senate
and the security of the Government that no
rule of a merely technical character should
prevent the investigation of such a case 1t
was more imperative, in view of the statue
passed at the last Congress for the detection
of corrupt practices by members of Congress-
He concurred in other points. The protes-
tants should have an opportunity to be heard
before committee of investigation.
Mr.. Benjaman protested against any insinu-
alton that the majority of the committee were
indisposed to investigate any charge of fraud
or corruntion to yitiate any election No
charge whatever had been made against Mr.
Cameron. There was general, vague state
ment, embodying no specific fact. If the con-
testants can present any circumstances of time,
place and manner of corruption, let them do
so.
Mr.. Butler said the report was drawn in
conformity with the views of majority of the
committee. He was sorry Mr.. Pugh had dis
sented. The usage of the Senate formerly
was, that no minority report could be made
but simply the paper read. He protested
against deyolving on the Senate jurisdiction
to try cases of the corruption of State LegiS-
latnres. Let the members who are so charg-
ed be tried by their peers. 1t would be an
unsafe thing to send out rowing commission
If Mr. Cameron should, on proper investiga-
tion, be found implicated, he, for one, would
60 for his expulsion. But let the Legislature
purge itself before it comes here to ask the
Senate to give it the medicine. He would
not try any man unless on specific charges on
which it was intended to convict him.
Mr.. Pugh said that, in making the minority
report, he had followed the example set by
Mr.. Butler. AS to Mr.. Benjamins objection
that the charges were not specific, they were
as much so as charges generally were in cases
of contested elections but direct charge was
made that corrupt means bad been used to
procure certain election. He did not insinu-
ate that the majority would investigate such
charge He had confined himself to the sub,
ject before them, which the Committee propos-
ed to dismiss without further notice If it
should be proved that the charges are false,
he would be grati6ed but for the purposes of
this discussion, it must be assured that the
protestants have the character of reliable ac-
cusers.
Mr.. Mason moved to 60 into executive ses-
sion.
Mr.. Stuart said this was question of privi-
ege, and involved the right of member to q
seat, and took precedence of all other business.
Suppose you go into executive session, the
right of this member to vote may then be con-
troverted.
Mr.. Biger moved that the report be printed.
Mr.. Cameron said that it was not until yes
terday that he heard of this charge of corrup-
tion. The whole protest was looked on as a
piece of humbug. More than twenty-five of
the signers had called on him to say that there
was nothing in it, but that they were compel
led to sign it lest they might give offense to
some of the leading men who can influence the
coming appointments. He could not say any
thing about corruption in Pennsylvania He
was born there, and expected his body would
rest in that State. He could not believe any,
body there did corrupt act but some gen.
tlemen aspire to place the Legislature in such