The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-04-02
! Senator Morrili'u Vote

stl ON THE STOCKTON ELEcTIoN-CAsE.S 1aoa
AS the coppefhead newspapers continue to
misrepresent the circumstances under which
Senator Morrill, dissolved his engagement with
Senator Wright of New Jersey, we publish be-
low Mr. Fessenden's explanation of the matter.
= It is worth while to remark in passing, rthat
after all is said and done, MI. Stockton's case
was merely referred by the Senate to the New
Jersey legislature, which, if it chooses, can re-
turn him to his seat by a legal vote. If the
legislature does not desire to be represented by
Mr.. Stockton, what would the Copperheads
have :.
M. Fessenden spoke in the Senate as fol-
lows: = 8 Ak sss % t.Ea .9ad8 asNitsa'i
can state the circumstances with reference
to this matter as l understand them. Well.
some six on seven weeks ago, at time when
MIR. Wright was here, and when it was sup
posed the question was coming up, but when it
was uncertain on what day it might be, Mr.
Wright statfd that he was sick, and desired to
go home, and asked my colleague (supposing
Of course that it was only to be a temporary
absence because be was junweil, D who then
agreed to pair Oft that he might go home. No
body suppoSss that when there u a pair on ac-
count OF The sickness or the convenience OF .
Senator, or anything of that kind, that the pair
is to last an through the session, and to run or
indefinitely, even on the question mentioned.
unless the Senator who consents to pair agrees
10 that understanding. Az 1t never has been so
understood; and at any rate can say that the
practice has always been, within my knowledge,
that any time a Senator aoho had agreed to PAIR
off aaigst 5e rsssdsedby gipsng notice to those
tbs other size of TIE qaesta0n--not to the person
with whom helgas paired-in order that infor-
nation might be Communicated; that he should
consider that after reasonable time had elaps-
ed to enable the Senator who had gone home
to return he would be entitled to vote. That
was all that was necessary, because no NAH ie
bound to keep it up at the will and convenience
of the party who leaves 1t is only necessary
to allow him areasonabie time. 1t has always
been the understanding here since have been
Q member Llat pair might be put an end to in
that way. 1t was understood thst this question
was to come up. My colleague stated the fa It's
TO me and consulted me as to what he should
do | told him that if he desired to vote all he
had TO 90 was TO give reasonable, notice to the
o5her party; and probably I suggested that no
tee should be given to the Senator whose seat
is in question, as being the colleague Of the ab-
sent Senator, and most interested in the matter,
If anybody-to state to him that he desired to
terminate the arrangement and to allow a req
.sonabls time for Mr.. Wright to return and that
itLsn he would be at liberty to vote. According
tony understanding of the facts he gave this
notice on Wednesday evening last. Mr.. Wright
lives about eight hours, think, from this city
by rail. There are Several trains come in the
course of the twenty-four hours. The notice
was given to Mr.. Stockton on Wednesday even
ing. 1t was allowed to lie over until the next
morning; but when the next day came Mr. Nor
rill a5ainsspoke to me on the subject, and said
he was disposed to allow Mr.. Wright ample
time, and if the vote came on that day he did
not think he could vote. told him that he
was the best judge; it was matter of deIica-
cy, and could not advise him on that point.
Tie vote Went over from that day until the
very close of the next, allowing Mr.. Wright. if
he was in condition to come and that was his
concern) ample time to arrive. When the first
vote was taken Mr.. Morrill, was sitting by nv
side. He said Ny vote will not chang . he re-
suit, aud in order to raise no question ABOUT it,
asst is not my duty to vote, and my not doing
so will have no effect, win let this vote go"
When the next vote came, and it was perceived
how it stood, he then vosed. It is said that the
Senator rom Massachusetts said to him,
- Vote !" l know that said to him as he
was sitting by my side, that he could vote if he
saw DIT, and I advised him to vote Now, sir. if
there is any imputation upon my colleagus's
honor and uprightnessand manhness with ref
rests upon mine. do not mean to shun NV
share of the responsibility That was nv opin
ion given to him. I so expressed it. 1 stand
BY it now. think he was perfectly right; and
there was no reason why, after giving the notice /
usual ia such cases, he should, on Account Of
Mr. Wright's state of health, or any other rea-
son, decline to vote. Senators are sick on each
side, and 1t is o sort of advantage on a close
question of this sort 1T happens sometimes to
the advantage of one party, and sometimes to
Senator from, Neao Jersey spoke schat he ought to
SPEAK, and achat everybody aoho has ,cotched mn
cotsedgue In the Senate feets-ttat there is not a
more strictly honorable and upright man in ali
1esatsons. He had some delicacy> about the con-
test between what be supposed to be understood |
on the other side, and what was his duty. I |
=, ne did right in spite of the comments
Ina tnat are made by the gentleman whose letter |
n as DC Deen read, which will excuse for he can
~. W supposed to understand the rules that |
govern Us here in relation to these matters and
pro- pauoaoIy takes his fathers impressions as his
sente ems 1ney t MIN mot affect il any degree
standing of Mr.. Morrill,, INV coIieas anu I mngn
this hoor. Al any rate, if they affect him tbex
affect me also, and 1 have no Sisnns;ti,o .atS
show, IN any degree, the responsibility thai y
take on the subject. 'n@'