Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-19
PowHATAs House., I
RICHMOND, fe1. l5:h, 1889. )

I'm L. Jdkks0n, EIQi
Dear sir-I casually stepped into the rotunda Of the
Exchange Hotel this evening, whore my attention was
drawn 70 certain remarks made BY Mr. CALDWELL sena-
tor from Ohio county Suoh1s {oo o rou e
speaking Of bill for the consolidation OF the NorthWest'
ern Virginia and Baltimore and Ohio Railroads. to gen.
tlenan unknown me- In the course OF his conversation
he remarked that the measure would not have received
tho Of five Senators II it had not eeen or Sou|or
your nansgementthat the Lieutenant Governor nsd no
vote, and II WAS never' designed that he should be
swsying neus minds ON questions pending before The Sc
nate; that your conduct was prostitution OF your
official position. aud impeachsble Then addressing
his conversation 10 he further remarked that ne au
) though II was to a relation oil yours.
inferred that his Hluslon our relationship originated
from desire on his purt that the charges nc maze aganl
you should be communicated. Whether no did or mol,
his declarations made publicly and IN PUBIC pace,
and have endearored to communicate them as nearly
in his own language as possible.
It upon the spot but Immediately occurring 10 me- mat
1t attack upon your official transactions o. Lieu
Governor, which you should have gu opportunity
Of repel!ing, deemed 1t proper merely TO communicate
what occurred, which have DONE
It ia due to Senator CALDWELL 10 stale tnat his re-
marks evidently made under high degree OF ex-
e''e'n'"'' ''''' '''' '''0' j. " BENNETT.
MIR. CoeHILL said he had heard the reading OF the
communication with pain and astonlShmeni, d. Iad
every Senator in the hall. He had observed the con-
duct OF the president of the Senate since the commence
men of the session. and il hnd seemed 10 him lrked
with intelligence, fairness and honor. With regard
to the Northwestern Railroad consolidation oil mao
been distinguished by extraordinary deiicaoy, mas
much as even delicacy did not call upon him TO pur'
sue the course he had adopted, to wit: vacang the
chair Whenever the question was up. He was lio'
complinenng that officer. This was not the time for
compliments II it should prove that il was not the
intention Of Senator CALDWELL, to make the charge
ne should be rejoced but II the contrary was IN
tended by that gentleman that the charge should be
brought TO the notice Of the Senate II was proper that
it should be investigated, and he would submit RESP
luton TO accomplish that object. Such course az
indicated in his resolution not without precedent
In 1856 Mr. Calhoun, then presiding over the U: s.
Senate the subject of charge brought against his
conduct es Secretary of War under Mr.. Aoam', and
the Senate at his own request, raised committee TO
investigate it. He coscd by offering the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the communication and accompa
pyiug documents be referred to committee OF seven
with power to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. AUGUST agreed with pride in the views ex
pressed by MIR. CooHILL, regarding the ofhciai con
duct of the President of the Senate He wss a. iots
to know the proper course TO be pursned By the Senae
II was however certain that lbs language used In
communication Of Mr.. Bennett rendered 1t improper
TO take notes OF it ~ this time Under the consiu
ton, the members Of fhs Senate became the t!lers o.
this case, and if there was any one who entertained
there charges, he should prefer them, and then lei
Senators ii. in the trial as judges. Should theae
charges be made, they would necessarily have 10
originate in the lower House. and be deemed 1t ad
vsabe to delay any action aud await the result. He
moved to lay the communication on the table.
Mr.. FLOYD thought the proper time for e!amina
ton into charge wac when the knowledge OF II wal
first bad. Il admits neither of delay reflection
The allegation is not alone agains: the President o.
this body, but against at least eighteen Senators.
Mr.. Caldwell. / did not make the allegations
against members of the Senate, but against the Lien
tenant Governor,o ON information obtained from mem
Der of The other house.
Mr.. FLOYD. Iho2e that the resolution Of the Sena
tor from Amherst tMr. CosHILL) will be adopted.
Mr.. CcoHILL. Icopfess had hoped on hearing
would have risen in his seat and disclaimed the
charge