The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-03-27
from the National Intelligencer.l
FROM THE HON. WILLIAM A
GRAHAM SEN ATOR ELECT
FROM NORTH-CAROLIN

The debate in the Senate, on yester-
dav, upon the order to print ten thou
sand copies of the report OF the Joint
Committee on Reconstruction" detail
ing the evidence taken before that COM
mittee as to the condition of political
sentiment in the several States of the
South and their fitness for representa-
ton in Congress, in which allusion was
made to the course pursued by the com
mittee in reference to the State of \ orth-
Carolina, and on application submitted
by me that her members elect should
be permitted to hear what might be al
legged to her prejudice, and, if they
deemed it proper, to cross-eNamine the
witnesses against her, if any, and to ad-
duce other testimony, renders it neces-
sarv that [ ask of you the favor to pub
lish the following correspondence. 1t
was instituted solely for the attainment
of truth, and thereby, as [ trusted, to
protect the character and rights of the
State and people I was deputed in part
to represent. The President of the
Senate, at my request, had done me the
honor to present my commission as a
Senator elect Though it was laid on
the table in conformity to precedents in
the exercise of the functions it contem-
plated, it still, in my conception, de-
volved OH me the duty, in con- junction
with my respected colleagues elected
to both Houses, to observe the proceed
ings Of the public authorities, and
when occasion might seem to invite or
justify it, to intervene for explanation,
so far as it might be allowed, in defence
IL !, -
and the fair fame of her people. Seeing
that an order to authorize the commit
tee to send for persons and papers had
passed the Senate, on motion OF its
chairman in that body-Mr. Fessenden,
of Maine-a proceeding understood to
imply that evidence is to be taken, and
a searching and thorough investigation
to be had applied for leave to be
present at the examinations pertaining
to the State of Nerth- Carolina, as will
be seen in the letters following:
HILLsBoRo,' n. c., Jan. II, 1866.
Hon. JVin. p. Fessemden, Senate Uni
ted tStutes::
SIR: Observing that you are first
named in the Senate's branch of the
committee upon the admission into Con
gress Of members from the Southern
States, and having forwarded to the
President of the Senate, to be laid be-
fore that body, my commission as
Senator from North h-Carolina; perceiv-
ing, also, that the committee has been
authorized to take evidence in the mat
ters submitted to it by sending for per-
sons and papers, | take the liberty of
respectfully suggesting through you to
the committee that it will be but justice,
i'll the conduct of its proceedings in the
premises, to permit the delegation elec
ted from each State to be present at the
of all evidence touching such
State or any of its members, with the
privilege of cross-eXamining witnesses
and Of Introducing counter evidence, if
they shall deem it proper.
And, for myself and my colleagues,
I, with Difference, request the exercise of
this privilege in relation to all evidence
having reference to the State Of North
Carolina or any Of her members elect.
[ am, with the highest respect, your
obedient servant,
w. A. GRAHAM.
My residence here is within twenty
four hours journey of the Capital, and
will attend there at any time on no.
Ilce from the committee.
WASHINGTON, January "a, 1866.
DEAR SIR 1t is not customary to
allow cross examination of witnesses
before committee appointed to report
on on subject not involving individuals.
1he committee is supposed to be dcsi-
rous to ascertain the truth, and capable
OF making all the examination neces-
SarY,