Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-01-13
Mr.. Lowry then

desirous of oganizing this body and proceed
ing TO business he can by that means have
Harry White back here, as | believe, with
III the next ten days 1t is well known TO
the Senate and to the people Of Pennsylva-
ma that some time ago a Major from the
rebel army, blythe name of Jones, applied to
the authorities at Washington saying that he
could procure the release Of Harry White in
exchange for himself The authorities, as
/ am informed and believe, took his parole
and sent him to Richmond He went there
and was informed by the rebel authorities
that he MAJOR Jones, had no vote in the
Senate of Pennsylvania but that Major
White had, and that the URion party of
Pennsylvania would be disorganized in case
Major White was retained. Consequently
Mr.. Jones was sent back to Washington.
Mr.. Donovan. [ rise to ask the Senator
a question. Does the Senator from Erie
wish to be understood as saying that the au-
thorities at Richmond look upon the Re
publican party of Pennsylvania as the Union
party /?
Mr.. Lowry. There is no Union party
except the Republican party and no Republi-
can party except the Union party in this
country | do not desire to get into an an
CRY discussion at this time, and [ will not
suffer myself to be led away from the ques-
ton before us.
trust that the gentleman on the other
side Of this House will see the necessity of
not pursuing this kind of conduct further
| think it is unbecoming the dignity Of a
Senator to get up here and make bargains
for trading off this officer for that officer.
That's beneath the dignity of the Senate and
unbecoming the Senator from Berks. The
intention Of the people of Pennsylvania to
place us in a majority here could not have
been expressed IN stronger language than 1t
has been.
/ appeal to them as patriotic men TO allow
US to proceed to business L did not think
when | submitted resolution this morning
that you, sir would be acknowledged by the
other side in your position as Speaker and
that we would proceed with the business un-
til such time as Harry White should return.
He win return, | have no doubt, as soon as
jeff Davis hears that we have organized
without him
Mr.. Clymer thought this proftless dis
cussion, and if it must be entered into at all
1t should be with entire good feeling on both
sides ofthe Chamber-his authority for sta
ting the resignation of Senator White had
been received, was the publishment IN sew
eral papers, and the statement of individuals
upon the floor of the Senate Adjourned
SENATE, Sd DAY-The Senate met at II
o clock, when the Speaker said that he was
informed that his Excellency, the Governor,
would communicate with the Senate, by
message in writing, at IL! O'Clock to-day
A resolution was then offered, inviting the
clergy of Harrisburg to open the services
of the Senate with prayer the Union men
voting Aye, and the Opposition, Nay
Mr. johnson then offered q resolution to
appoint committee of three to investigate
the facts in reference to the alleged dresignation
of Senator White, and that said commit
tee have power to send for witnesses and
papers the Union members voting for the
resolution, and the Opposition against it.
Mr.. Lowry offered the following
Resotred, That in the reelection of Gov.
Curtin the people gave clear expression of
their choice, and that any combination to
thwart the will OF the people by preventing
his Inauguration would be revolutionary IN
its character and should be put down.
This resolution was negatived by strict
party vote. Mr.. Hopkins OPP then de-
sired to make a remark or two in expana-
ton Of his position on this resolution, the
substance of which Is embraced in the fol-
lowing sentence 1t must have become ap-
parent to every Senator on this floor that
there are sixteen gentlemen occupying seats
here by virtue of the action of the people,
who do not, who can not, and who will not
recognize the claimed organization OF the
Senate When Mr. Hopkins had conclu-
ded Mr. Lowry asked that Senator If by vo-
ting in the negative he does not recognize
the organization Of this body just as fully as
by voting in the affirmative, to which Mr..
Hopkins replied ''it is the best we can do. "
Mr. Lowry. 1t is the best you can do to
prevent legislation and embarrass the Senate
In the transaction of its Business That is
the best the Senator can do But let me
tell the Senator from Washington and the
Senate Of Pennsylvania, that dare not vote
any other way than that in which have vo-
ted. We have made proposition after prop
osition, in every form that we could devise,
in order to proceed TO business and keep the
wheels of legislation moving, until the va
cant seat OF Harry White Should be filled
What more can we do? Suppose sir, that
you should issue your writ for the election of
Senator in the place Of Harry White
what then? They viii come in here and
say you had no authority to do that. Would
they join in resolution calling upon you to
take such action and Therefore recognize your
authority? No, sir, no proposition which
does not contemplate disorganization would
be acceptable to Senators on the other side
of the house
Mr.. HOPKINS That is what we do not
want.
Mr.. LOWRY You want organization;
but you vote against it. You want the bu-