The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-11
Wednesday, February 3, 1858.
SENATE

An effort was made by Mr.. Trumbull to csl
up the disputed case involving the right Of
Messrs. Bright and Fitch to seats in that body,
as Senators from the State of Indiana.
Mr.. Bayard, the chairman of the Committee
on the Judiciary, which had had the case under
consideration, stated that, though willing few
days ago to raise this question, he was opposed
70 It's discussion In the present attitude of pab.
nc affairs, when, as was known, vastly more
important question, involving the equality Of
the States and the stability of the Union itself,
was pending before the Senate, in the applics-
ton of Kansas.
Mr.. Trumbull expressed surprise at the ar
gument OF Mr.. Bayard, and thought that the
very Importance of the Kansas question was
only an additional reason for passing upon the
claim OF Senators to vote upon it.
Mr.. baysrd replied that, under ordinary cir
cumstances, the argument of Mr.. Trumbul
might be valid but in the case of the Indiana
Senators, they had brought to the Senate the
pr'md .facie evidence of legal election and,
moreover, as he fully believed that the sitting
Senators, represented the public sentiment OF
their State upon what he considered the vital
subject OF the session, he was unwilling to con
slder the issue now made against them, when
1t was important that the voice of every State
should be heard in that body.
Mr.. Collamer confessed his entire inability
70 appreciate the logic employed by Mr. Baysri
70 justify postponement of the question. L
seemed 70 him non sequitur, to assert tbs.
because member of that body had a Govern.
or's certificate, and because a verv imporsni
matter was soon to be voted upon nv the Sen.
ate, it therefore became inexpedient to inquir,
into the validity of that certificate until the in
portant matter had been disposed Of The
converse of the proposition seemed 10 him muG
more reasonable; and in proportion to the in
portance OF the subject was the preliminary ne
cessity OF ascertaining the legal character Of
those who we're authorized to decide il.
Mr.. Seward thought the Senate would be
ready at proper time to entertain the que;-
ton raised IN respect to the title of the Indisrs
Senators to seat in that body. and he was s.
sured that no debate would have arisen on he
topic, had it not been for the extraordinary dec
iarations of Mr.. Bsyard, the chairman Of TIE
committee on the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
which that Senator in his sober iudgmen!
would most probably deem unfortunate. foi
himself, he thought no question more exigel'
than that which related to the integrity, dignf
ty, and honor of the Senate.
The whole subject was then informally pos
poned, with the consent of Mr.. Trumbull, who
gave notice, however, that he would call 1t W
tomorrow, al one o'clock.
The consideration of the special message
the President, in transmitting 10 the Senate l'
Constitution of Kansas, was then resumed, On
the motion to refer the same to the Commute
on Territories.
Mr.. Wilson moved, as an amendment, hs1
the committee be instructed to institute
investigation into the truth OF u
frauds charged to have been committed 81 u
late elections in Kansas, and that to this CIV
the committee be authorized to send for PEI
sons and papers. In support of his motion