The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-03-12
Congressional.
WASHINGTON. March u

WASHINGTON, M2rcn II:
Mr.. Benjamin, from the judiciary Commit
tee, to which was referred the Pennsylvania
contested election, reported. From protests
Of certain members of the Senate and House
of Representatives of the Legislature of Penn
sylvania, it appeared that the grounds of the
protest, are:
FIRST, There was not concurrent MAORI
ty of each House in favor Of tho candidate de-
clared to DO elected.
SECONDLY, The Senate did not comply with
the requirement of the State laws by appoint
Ing Teller, and making nomination ut least
one day previous TO the meeting Of the joint
convention.
In addition to these grounds there was
third protest from the members Of the House
of Representatives, charging that the election
of Mr. Cameron was produced, as they are in
formed and believe, by corrupt and unlawful
means, involving certain members of that
body, and they request the Senate to order an
investigation, not only enquire into the Illegal
fity of the election, but In order to afford an
opportunity TO submit proof as to the facts on
which the charge rests. This the committee
say is a general allegation and they cannot
recommend that the prayer be granted owing
to the too vague and indefinite terms, in which
the Charge Is cOucHeI.
There was not a single fact or circumstance
as tho basis of general charge, nor was it al
legged that q sitting member participated in
these corrupt means or had knowledge OF
their existence.
The Committee, therefore could not con-
slider it necessary to appoint rowing commits
sion to procure proof OF the alleged fraud, in
order to deprive member to seat, to which
he is entitled as the party charging corrup-
ton, were clothed with ample power to nyes
tigate the matter, and if on investigation tue
charges be proven, and If they believe the
character of Mr.. Cameron, so involved that he
should not be a Senator,,the result could be
reported and the Senate could take farther ac-
ton. ..HEf
With regard to the first two points, the
Committee regard tho provisions Of the law as
merely directory, and failure to comply, did
not make the election invalid.
The Committee asked to be discharged
from further consideration of the subject.
Mr.. Pugh. dissented from the conclusion Of
the majority of the Committee.
The protest was signed By Il members who
say that they have been informed and believe
that certain corrupt and unlawful means in
volving the action of certain members of the
| legislature have been used. IL did not matter
that the charges are not specifc-the accuse
ton came from responsible source and was
directly made; it concerned the honor Of the
Senate and the security ef the Government,
and no rule Of mere technical character
should prevent investigation of such case.
1t was more imperative in view Of the stat
ute passed last Congress for the detection Of
corrupt practices by members of Congress-
lie concurred in the other points, that the
protestants should have an opportunity to be
heard before Committee of investigation
Considerable debate followed aud the sub.
ject was then passed over. Adjourned.