Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-03-05

| frame building which can accommodate from
$50 to 200 pupils, which is full most of the
time. Also one or two private schools, with
large number of scholars.
The Episcopal Church, Rev. Mr.. Jones,
pastor, and the Second Presbyterian, Rev.
Mr.. Kerr, are about equally divided. The
| Second Presbyterians are building Church
which they contemplate finishing the coming
season.
st. Paul money is in circulation here.
ANXIOUS.
Excitement in tho u. 8. Senato.-Pro.
lon.ed ScssiOn-.SenaIOrial CsurpatiOn
.-SenatOrial InGallibility. -
WASHINGTON, Feb. ls. =,
7o;,ths Editors eftAs Ainnssotian:
Hunger and fatigue drove me out Of the
Senate last evening at late hour, leaving that
body still in session, engaged in hot debate
upon the Indiana contested election case. L
am convinced that there never has been
greater outrage upon the rights of sover-
eign State, and the Constitution Of the Unii
ted States, than the exclusively party action
of the Senate, in this matter. 1t is scanda-
lous, infamous and insurrectionary in it's
bearing.
The statement of the case is this, which
was proved beyond dispute, in open Senate.
Messrs. Fitch and Bright never were elected
by the Legislature of Indiana, Senators of the
United States. Messrs. Bright and Fitch,
upon finding that they could not obtain le-
gal vote in their favor from the State Legisla-
ture, created in that body fsctious and tu-
multous spirit, and when this mob-action
Was ready for action, in disorderly and ille-
gal manner, without the formality of joint
convention, or notice Of time, place, or man.
ner Of holding the election, proceeded to de-
clare Bright and Fitch Senators, and gave GER
tiacates accordingly.
Now mark. When they mustered force
and counted noses, they had majority of the
whole members, but not majority of the
Senate They could not and did not prove
joint convention at all. They did not comply
with one single condition of the constitution;
whether as to time, place, or manner of hold
ing said election. The certificate of election
held by Messrs. Bright and Fitch was the GER
tiicate of mob, "a tumultuous, riotOus
mob, and nothing else.
Nou naark again. When Mr.. Harlan, a
Republican member from Iowa, presented his
certificate of election, it was proved that his
election was the result of a joint convention
place, and manner, as the constitution re-
quires that order and decorum marked every
stage of proceedings, and though he had
majority of the entire legislature that was not
present in joint convention majority of both
branches Of the legislature, and the democrats
of the Senate held this to be fatal to his cleo
ton, and denied him his seat
Mark again. The two cases are alike in
this; that neither of the parties claimed
majority of both branches of the legislature,
in joint convention, and here the similarity
stops. In Harlan's case, the election was
conducted with decency and legal order, yet
he was rejected by democratic Senate, while
in the cases of MesSrs. Fitch and Bright,
there was 10 legal order or form, but confu-
sion and disorder artfully and designedly Gre
ated to force bogus election, trusting for ul-
innate success upon the well known corlup-
ton of a democratic Senate; and the Senate
answered their anticipations. There's scene
Of justice for you!
Now as to the subsequent action of the
State of Indiana. The Legislature met in
joint convention, quietly and orderly; gave
notice of the time, place, and manner Of hold
ing joint convention for the election of u S.
Senators, and then and there, in manner con-
ssitutionally prescribed, did proceed to elect
Messrs. Lane and McCarty to the United
States Senate. They gave these gentlemen
certificates Of election, and in a memorial to
the United States Senate, stated that Indiana
was without Senators, thus viewing the bogus
election of Messrs Bright and Fitch sham
and fraud.
The democrats reply to tbis.:sspetition from
a sovereign State, that it is disrespectful for
State to attempt to enquire into the acts of
the Senate of the United States. That Messrs.
Bright and Fitch had been admitted to seats,
and the act Of the Senate should be construed
as proof Of their rights. Toombs clarac-
terized the petitioners as scoundrels and vii
lains, than whom, much better men had sui.
fered on the scafold.
SENATE DURING THE DEBATE.
Inever in my life saw body of men more
completely driven to the wall then were the
democrats during the debate. Over and over
and over did the Republicans challenge them
to the combat.on the questions of fact They
held up the violated constitution, and rubbed
in their very noses, and yet they dared not
meet the issue. Green, Pugh, Bayard, Bright
and Fitch all essayed passage at arms, but
were instantly endorsed. Show us your
joint convention, your time, place, and manner
Of elections, and yoaer majority Of both bran
ches Of the Indiana Legislature, and our hos
tility ceases; but this they dare not, and did
not attempt. "The Senate is the constitu-
tonal judge of the election of its members,
and do you call these certificates, the certfi-
Gates of lawless mob, constitutional? Is it
through such channel that men are hereaf.
ter to reach the United States Senate then
the constitution is waste paper, and the char
acter of this body gone forever"
At this point Seward, knowing that further
argument was idle with such men, had
brought to him an old Senate journal, and
cail % hold H., Il I