Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-03-12
By THE n. IIOHiJAlII LINE.
oFFIoEESc oRNER 8ATFal Am liosII6H slliEErs
CONGRESSIONAL.

j
1Is H-AsIIEGToN, March IL; 1857.
SESATE-Atr. Benjamin from the Committee
on Judiciary, to which was referred the Penn.
sylvanla contested election, reported from pro-
test Of certain members of the Sen0teand House
OF Representatives aud the esislhture Of Penn
sylyania Ii appeared that the grounds Of pro.
test are: LIST, there was no concurrent majority
OF both Houses IN favor of the candidate de-
Iclared elected, aud secondly, the Senate did not
comply with the TcquiremcntsO of State laws by
appointing teller and making nominations, &C.
NJ least one day previous to the meeting of the
Joint convention. In addition to these grounds
there was third protest Of members of the,
House OF Representatives which charges til; {
the election of Mr. Cameron was produced, d,
they are informed and believe, by corrupt and
unlawful means, involving certain members of
that body, aud they request the Senate to order
an investigation, not only to inquire into the
lllegalty OF the election, but in order to afford
an opportunity to submit proof MS facts on
which the charge rests. This, the committee
say, Is general allegation and cannot recom-
mend the prayer be granted, owing to the charge
being too vague and indefinite. There was u
single fact or circumstance detailed as II basis Of
general charges, nor was it alleged that the sit
ting member had participated in these corrupt
| means nor had a knowledge of their existence
The committee could not, therefore, consider il
necessary to appoint rowing commission TO
procure proof OF the allegation of fraud, in
order to deprive n member of seat to which he
is entitled. AS the party charging corruption
We're charged with ample power to investigatt,
tho matter, il, on investigation, the charges be
proven, aud if they believe the character Of Mr..
Cameron soinvolyed that lie should not be a
Senator, the result could be reported, and the
Senate could take further action With regard
to the first two points, the committee regard the
provisions of the law as merely directory, and,a
tailure to comply with them did not make an
election invalid. Tho committee asked to be
discharged from further consideration of the
subject.
Nh. Pugh dissented from the conclusions of
the majority committee. The protest was sign
ed by A members, who shy they have been in
formed and believe that corrupt aud unlawful
means, involving the action of certain members
of the Legislature has been used ltdoes not.
matter that the charges arc not specific. The
accusation came from responsible source, and
was directly made. 1t concerned the hsnor of
the Senate and the security f.tlic government
that no rule of a merely technical character
should prevent the Investigation of such Il case.
1t was more imperative, in view of the statute
passed last Congress, for the detection of. corr
rupt practices by members of Congress. lie
concurred in tile other points. The professionals
should have an opportunity to be heard before
a committee Of investigation.
Considerable debate followed, and the sub.
ject was then passed over. Adjourned.