The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-03-24
Uri- A&Feeklp STANDARD.
RALEIGH. n. G.
SATURDAY, MARCH "a, 1866.
Governor Graham--Mr. Fessenden.

We lack room to-day to publish in full,
but shall publish in our next, communica-
ton to the National Hatelligence,' from the
| Hon. William ~ Graham, containing some
correspondence between that gentleman and
the Hon. w. p. Fessenden, of Maine, in re-
lation to the examination of witnesses before
the Committee on Reconstruction. We are
not disposed to submit any comments on
this correspondence without giving Mr.. Gra-
| ham fair and full hearing i'll our columns.
Mr.. Graham asked the privilege of hcing
present at the taking of testimony by the
committee in relation to this State; and Mr..
Fcssentlen replied that it is not customary
to allow a cross-examination Of witnesses be-
fore committee appointed to report on Il
subject not involving individuals" And Mr.
Fcsscnden adds, "the committee is quite
willing, however, to examine any witnesses
who may be produced, having II knowledge
OF the suhject-matter, to any reasonable ex-
tent This reply, it seems to us, should
have been deemed satisfactory, and as closing
the door to further correspondence on the
subject; but Mr.. Graham rcjoins, and raises
the question whether the right of State
to representation is not entitled to an equal
privilege of defence by those whom she has
chosen for that office" To this letter no 0j,-
sccer ~as mute Jy -H'. Fes&endea.
! Mr.. Graham seems to have proceeded on
the assumption that the merits Of the indi-
vduals chosen to represent the State would
be inquired into, on evidence before the COM
mittee; but in this Mr. Fcssenden tells him
!
| for itself, in its own way, not into the char
| acter of the members elect to Congress, but
into the political condition of the State;
and Mr.. Fessenden says in relation to
this inquiry that the committee is quite will
| ing to examine, TO any reasonable extent, any
witnesses who may be. produced. What
more could be asked or expected2
We copy from the proceedings of the Sen
ate of the 18TH the following debate in rela-
ton to this correspondence
''AIr. Fcssendcn rose to personal explanation.
He found in the National LntciIigcRcer OF the 18th
instant letter from William A. Graham, a clai-
mant for seat in the Senate from Nurth-Caro-
lima; III reply to his (Fessendens) remarks, Il few
days ago, concerning the nature of the inrestig;-
tions carried on by the Committee of Fifteen.-
This letter of Grlham's was intended to convey
the impression that the Investigations were not
impartial. Mr. Graham had written to him (Fes
ncsses suggested by him (Graham) should be
examined; and another, that the Representatives
and Senators from these States be allowed to be
present to cross-cXamne the witnesses The last
request not complied with, because it was not
customary in cases OF investigation by commit
tee, and because the proceedings OF the committee
not in the nature of criminal investigation
where cross-eNamnations were necessary. He
(Fessendcn) did not regard the lately rebellious
States in the light of criminals on trial,
he acting in the capacity of prosecutor. Another
error of Mr. Graii,m's was his belief that the
test irln holr ri M n1flpr
to be printed 1t had not closed, except in the
case of Tennessee In the case of North Carolina
no testimony had yet been printed, it all being in
the hands of Mr. Howard, of Michigan, now ab
sent on account of domestic atfiiction.
Mr.. Davis, in reply to Mr. Fessenden, advoca
ted the right of the claimants for seats as South
ern Senators and Representatives to be present
and cross examine w illnesses. Mr. Davis proceeded
to read Mr.. Graham's statement in the HatelIiaen-
Ger. Having read for half an hour, he was called
to order by Mr.. Chandler, who insisted that there
was question before the Senate
Mr.. Fessenden said he had yielded the floor to
Mr.. Davis for him to read Mr. Grallam's letter.
but it was evident now that he was reading the
editorials and news columns of the paper
Mr.. Davis said he reading an explanation of
the case by Major Lawrence. At the conclusion
Of Mr. Davis's reading, Mr.. Fesscnden said that
if Mr. Graham desired to introduce further testi-
mony in the case of North Carolina, he could
do so -
We have heretofore published the fact. as
stated in their places by four members of
the committee besides Mr. Fessenden, that
every witness mentioned by persons claiming
seats from this State had been examined
Mr.. Fessenden has subsequently stated that
the testimony as to this State has not closed,
and that the committee will continue to ex
anime witnesses to any reasonable extent.
We trust the committee will not content it.
self with examining only such witnesses as
may be rendered by persons claiming seats,
but that persons Enthusiastically loyal, and