Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-28
senators Morrer and stockton.
In order that our reader. may hare 4 correct IN,

In order that our readers may hare a correct IN,
Outstanding OF the circumstances under which Mr.
Morre and Mr. Stockton cast their votes in the case
Of the New Jersey Senatorship we extract the fol-
laying passaees from the debate in the Senate on
uondav last. on Mr.. Summers motion to amend the
Jourual by striking out DIR. Stocktons vote
Mr. stockton read from the constitution that every
state shall be entitled TO two Senator's, and each
/ sbaI have one vote Through the four long. terri
BILE wears of wan he had chung 70 the belief that he
still lived under constitutions government Gen
emen laid great stress the fact that he had voted
in his own case. In the Senate OF New jersey, the
| president who was Republican, had been elected
| by his own VOTE The Republican practice in New
Jersey was not the Republican practice here, it
seems. He had come here with his credentials,
bearing the broad seal of New jersey, and signed by
the Governor He represented the State Of New
jersey This matter was not his personal case 1t
was the case of New Jersey. After depriviug one
of the Senators of Now jersey Of his vote by art
fee, they wished to deprive the other oil ms vote Dy
raising a question of deicacy. They kept eleven
States ont OF the Union, and they wanted to put
New Jersey out and make twelve. a.
So far from thinking he had done wrong in voting
on the resolution, he thought that his duty was 10
have voted on the amendment. He then read from
| a letter of Major Wright, son of Senator Wright
which he said he had received yesterday expressing
! his astonshment that Mr.. Morrill, could violate his
plghted word Mr.. Stockton then sent TO the CLERK
desk and asked for the reading OF letter from Mr.
Morrill, received on the evening OF the day that his
case was first taken up, and notifying him (Mr. s.
| of his intention to withdraw his pair. telegram
! had then been sent to Mr. Wright the 23d, not-
tying him Of the intention OF Mr. Morrill,. An an
swer was not received from his colleague until Fri
| day morning when he stated that he would not be
able to be here before this week. OF this fact Mr.
Morrill, was appraised. For the Senator from Maine
! mr. MorrD have always entertained high re-
gard and now, though speaking of the action in
| the strongest language allowed by parliamentary
rule he believed that Mr.. Morrill, had done nothing
which he (kIr. N.Y. did not think right and honora-
| ble The Senator however who had in his special
care the honor and dignity of the Senate is reported
| by the paper to have said, Vote, Morrill,"
Mr.. Fessenden-Do the Senator allude TO me =
| said to Mr.. Morrill,, vote.
MIR. Stockholm allude to the Senator from Mas
sachusetts. ...i. ..
| Mr.. Sumner-0f course said it. ~
Mr. Fessenden said the custom in pairing had been
! TO allow q reasonable time. Mr.. Morrill,, wishing to
| break the pair, had come to him for advice Mr.
Morrill, had notified Mr. Stockton of his desire, and
| thought reasonable time had been allowed. lie
did not vote when the first question was TAKEN and
| he mr. f. had told him to act as he thought right
His colleague was actuated by none but the highest
feelings of honor and manhood. He (Mr. F.. did
| not think he had done anything unbecOming gen.
| tleman. He (Nr. FL had advised him to act rs he
did and wished to assume an equal share OF the re-
sponsiblty
| MesSrs Sumner and Clark defended the course of
| Mr. Morrill,.
Messrs. Hendricks and Salisbury maintained and
Mr. CONFESS opposed the right of Mr.. Stockton to
vote. ..
Mr.. Trumbull regretted the tone of the remarks of
Mr. Stockton, and proceeded to reply to him and
] Mr.. salisbury.
Mr. Lane said he voted in favor of the right of the
Senator from New Jersey to his seat but was sur
| prised when he voted on his own case. .r
Mr. Foster (Mr. Clark in the Chair stated that on
| Friday when Mr.. Stockton demanded that his vote
be recorded he FOSTER remarked '.9'.
There is no rule of the Senate upon the subject
and the Chair has not the prerogatve of settling any
question of the kind except TO find that the name of
every Senator the list may be called and is the
privilege of every person whose name is on the list to
have his vote recorded"
This, he said is not decision of the question by
the Chair, but an express declaration that the right
| TO make decision was not vested in the Chair.
Mr. Stockholm rise, Mr.. President to withdraw
! my vote, and am very anxious that my position
shall be perfectly understood. Up to the time of
casting that vote my right to vote had never been
questioned by any one since entered this chamber
On the contrary, had been told by Republican Sen
atOrs that my right to seat here was unquestioned.
| believe that that vote was validunder the Const
tuition of the United States, and at the time enter
| tanned no doubt of my right TO vote. To-day, how
ever we have the opinion of able lawyers of this
| body against my right to vote have no wish to
hold a seat here by an unconstitutional vote and
ask that some Senator shall offer resolution refer
ring the question to the Judiciary Committee as to
whether | have a right 10 vote when this question
comes up again. .,.t.. 5000.
Mr. Sumner-Can the Senator Withdraw his
| vote .... ."
Mr.. Clark lin the char)-In the opinion Of the
! Chair, he cannot, unless by common consent.
Mr. Fessenden-C Clearly, he cannot vote. The
best mode is for some one who voted for the
Senator TO move reconsideration
| Mr.. Poland said that, as q member of the Jndic
AIRY Committee, he had COncurred in the report that
the Senator from New jersey was entitled to the
seat now held by him. He believed the Senator was
duly elected but was equally as strong in the opn
ion that the Senator had no right to vote in his own
case. lie would enter n motion TO reconsider the
vote by which the resolution passed.
Mr. Sumner withdrew his motion TO amend the
Journal and the motion of Mr. Poland to reconsider
was agreed to. ''' -,.,