Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHHsTOE, Jan. 6.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.
SENATE.
Mr. Nesmith presented the credentials of
Hon. Benjamin Stark, who was appointed
Senator to ELL the vacancy caused by the
death Of Senator Baker.
Mr.. Fessenden moved that the admins
tration Of the oath be suspended for the pres
ent, and the credentials Of Mr.. Stark, to,
getheF with certain papers which be held in
his (Fessenden 81 hand be referred to the
Judiciary Committee. The papers were we'll
attested by many of the most respectable
portions Of the Inhabitants Of Portland.
The papers state that Mr.. Stark is under
stood to be an open and avowed secessionist
and that he defends the course Of the South,
and had given utteranee to statements ct
war with the Government, such as spprov-
ing the attack on Fort Sumter, and declar-
ing that in the case Of war be would sell his
property, go South and 6ght for the rebels.
He (Fesseuden) had examined the papers
with deliberation, and therefore made the
motion.
Mr.. Bright said that there was no prece-
dent for such motion. He never knew Of
a csse where a Senator had been refused the
oath. BE thought that the Senator had bet
ter be sworn, and then let the Senator take
.cognissnce OF the latter properly. Never
had baser falsehoods been offered than those
ia regard to himself which had been sent to
the Senate here. BE had in his pocket a
copy OF the New York Herald, where it was
stated that he (Bright) was Brigadier Gen.
eral in the rebel army.
Mr.. Fessenden said It was true there was
not precedent, but the state Of the coun-
try WGs without precedent, and We had now
TO make precedents. These papers in refer
ence to Mr. Stark were well attested by his
neigheors and townsmen.
Mr.. Bayard thought the case had better
20 over uRtil o-mOrrow, that Senators might
have time TO lock into it.
Mr.. Trumbull said the case was not with
out precedent, and. referaed to the case Of
Mr.. Lanmar, of Connecticut, where the
credentials were referred, and also to the
case Of Mr.. Griswold, Of Ohio, where the
credentials were also referred.
Mr. Sumner said the esse was unprecedent-
ed.
The Senate is now examining the loyalty
Of certsin members.
Mr.. Bayard said that there were men in
the senate in 1919 who were opposed to the
war with Great Britain, and with the action
Of the Government.
Mr.. Bright said that he supposed he wss
the one referred TO by the Senator frem
Msssachusetts-Mr Sumner; at any rate, he
was in the category. He (Bright) was glad
the Senate was examing, and 90 far as he
was concerned, he was oaly sorry that they
were 50 slow. He was snXious for q result.
Mr.. Lane, ofInd., thought that sufficient, for
the day was the evil thereof. When the other
cases come up the senate will be ready TO vote.
There could be no difference of opinion In re
gard to the present war By any patriot
The credentials OF Mr.. Stark, and tie pa
pers handed in by Mr. Ftssenden, were then
laid on the table for the present.
Mr.. Wilson presented q petition from eit-
gems Of Pennsylvania that John G. Fremont
be appointed Lieutenant General. ..
Mr.. Wilson also presented 3 petition in
reference to Gen. McKinstry, representing
that be was confined in prison closely, in vi.
olation ef the rules Of war.
| Mr. Conkling In the course Of his remarks said
| that the Government Is spending two millions ol
dollars day, with over six hundred thousand
men in the field wherever we have made ar
| advance we have been Outnumbered and ignCa
minOusly defeated, and yet the House and th'
House and the country are denied the right o
klOwi g who are responsible. II We canno
have Indemnity for the past. In the name Of M
manity let us have security for the future; Jet u
know who IA responsible for the dsgraceful dis
| sster At Balls Bluff He said afler the public'
ton Of Adjuant General Thomas report relatiF
70 General Fremont, certainly no publication Q
anything connected with the army should B
suppressed Mr. CODklng was very pointed an
, severe in his comments. He offered preambli
, reciting the resolution heretofore adopted, an
the response, concluding with q resolution thi
the answer TO IL Is neither responsive nor aetl
factory to the House, and that the Secretary
" ar be directed to return further answer.