Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-07
Nigh, Dispatches.
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON. Jan. s.
SENATE-Mr. Nesmth presented the Gre
dentials of Hon. Benz Stark, who was appointed
Senator fiji the vacancy caused by the death of
Senator Baker.
Mr.. Fessenden moved that administration of
oath be suspended for the present, and the Gre
dentals of Mr.. Stark, together with certain pa
pers which he held in his Fessenden s hands, be
referred to the Judiciary Committee. The pa
pers were well attested by many of the most
respectable portion OF the inhabitants of Port
land. The papers state Mr.. Stark is known to be
an open and avowed Secessionist; that he defends
the cause Of the South and had given utterance
to statements at war with the Government, such
as approving OF the attack on Fort Sumter, and
declaring that in case of war he would sell his
property aud go South and fight for the rebels.
He [Fessendenl had examined the papers with
deliberation and therefore made the motion.
Mr.. Bright said that there no precedent for
such motion. He never knew OF case where
a Senator had been refused the oath. He thought
the Senator had better be sworn, and then let the
Senate take cognizance of the latter property.
Never had baser falsehoods been offered than
those in regard to himself, which had been sent
to the Senate here. He had in his pocket copy
of the New York Herald, where it stated
that he Bright was Brigadier General in the
rebel army.
Mr. Fessenden said il was true there was not
predcedent but the state of the country was with
out precedent and we had now to make prece
dents. These papers in reference to Mr.. Stark
were well attested by his neighbors and towns
men
Mr. Bayard thought the case had better go over
until to morrow that the Senate might have time
to look into it.
Nv Trumbull said the case was not without
precedent. and referred to the case of Mr.. Law
renee, of Connecticut where the credentials
were referred. He also referred TO the case of
Mr. Griswold. Of Ohio, where the credentials
were also referred
Mr. Sumner said-The case is unprecedented
The Senate is not examining the loyalty of GER
tain members.
Mr. Bayard said that there were men in the
Senate in 1912 who were opposed to the with
Great Britain and with the action of the Govern
ment.
Mr. Bright said that he supposed that he
referred to BY the Senator from Massachusetts,
Mr. Sumnerl AT any rate he was in the cate
CORY. He Bright glad the Senate ex
amining; and 50 far as he was concerned he was
only sorry that they were so slow He was anx
iOus for a result.
Mr. Lane thought that sufficient for the ay was
the evil thereof. When the other cases came up
the Senate will be ready TO vote. There could
be no difference of opinion in regard TO the pres
ent war by any patriot
The credentials of Mr. Stark and the papers
handed in by Mr.. Fessenden were then laid on the
table for the present.
Mr. Wilson presented petition from citizens
of Pennsylvania that John Q. Fremont be appoint
ed Lieutenant General.
Mr.. Wilson also presented petition in refer
ence to Gen. Mckinstrv representing that he
confined in prison clearly in violation of the rules
of war.
HOUSE.-Mr Conkling, rising to question
of privilege called attention To the fact that on
the second day of the session a resolution was
adopted with reference TO the battle at Balls
Bluff
The resolution proposed no investigation into
future transactions whatever. IL simply request
Ell the Secretary OF War 10 inform the House
whether any steps have been taken 20 ascertain
who was responsible for the disaster.
The resolution was handed to the Adjutast
General who submitted IL to the Commander in
Chief He (Conkling) was unwilling TO believe
that the commander ia chief had read the resolution
because he could not impnte the design to trife
with the House and return an evasive answer. If
he did read il, he certainly misunderstood its pur
port He seemed to have received the impression
that future inquiry was 70 be instituted and that
of a very general character. and he accordingly
expressed an opinion to the Adiu,ant General,
which was reported to the Secretary Of Var, and
by the latter transmitted to the House
The answer 20 the resolution did not inform
the House that step~ had been made to show who
was to blame for the Balls Bluff disaster. The
response was eyasiye.
Now this was disregard of the privileges Of the
House, unless we consent 10 a trampling on our
rights We should watch with Jealous eye the
right of wholesome inquiry.
The inquiry related 10 great national calami-
" and TO the most atroci0us military murder ever