The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-03-28
Jlle MJeeklw STANDARD
From the National Intelligencer.l
FROM THE HON. WILLIAM A.
GRAHAM SENATOR ELECT
FROM NORTH-CAROITNA

The debate in the Senate, on yester-
day, 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
mlttee 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 North
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-examine the
witnesses against her, if any, and to ad-
duce other testimony, renders it neces-
sary that | ask of you the favor to pub
fish the following correspondence. 1t
was instituted solely for the attainment
of truth, and thereby, as I trusted, to
protect the character and rights of the
State and people l 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 precederts in
other cases, and l was not admitted to
the exercise of the functions it contem-
plated, it still, in my conception, de-
volved on me the duty, in conjunction
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
of the interests and honor of our State
and the fair fame of her people. Seeing
that an order to authorize the commit
tee to send for persons aud papers had
passed the Senate, on motion of it's
chairman in that body-Mr. Fessenden,
of Maine-a proceeding understood to
imply that evidence is to be taken, and
asearching aud thorough investigation
to be had applied for leave to be
present at the examinations pertaining
to the State of North-Carolina, as will
be seen in the letters following:
HILLsBoRo,' n. c., Jan. II, 1866.
Hon. Nm. 2. Fessendea, Senate Uni
ted States:
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 a
Senator from North-Carolina perceiv-
ing, also, that the committee has been
authorized to take evidence in the mat
tiers submitted to it by sending for per-
sons and papers, I take the liberty OF
respectfully suggesting through you to
the committee that it will be but justice,
in the conduct of its proceedings in the
premises, to permit the delegation cleo
ted from each State to be present at the
reception of all evidence touching such
State or any of its members, with the
privilege of cross-exa1niaing witnesses
and of Introducing counter evidence, III
they shall deem it proper.
And, for myself and my colleagues,
/, 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
l am, with the highest respect, YOU
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
tice from the committee.