The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-04-07
The Case Of Senator Stockton.

The case Of Senator Stockton, of New Jer
se,, who has Just been ousied from Lis scat
l. the L. s Senate. involves number OF
circumstances So disgraceful and atrocious
that it certainly seems impossible that party
in this country can live with such scandal
resting upon it.
Senator Stockton was elected by the New
Jersey legislature over year ago. The only
irresularity about his election was. that, be-
fore going into the election of L. S. Senator
the New jersey legislature adopted joint
resolution that a plurality should elect; and
under that arrangement Senator Stockton
was elec.el, having received within one of :,
I-taiority Of al The woes cast. The constitution
simply says that T. S. Senators shall he elect
c. ~ the legislatures of the several states
leayiuy tie mode Of such election to the iegis
latures themselves. Under that election
Senator SockJon took lis seat uuchallenged
and i was rot until Il subsequent general
election ia y jersey gave the republicans
:. -io-i:y in the legislature of that state that
The idea occurred to the radicals IN the [. s.
Sauste Lat. by GUSHING Stockton, another
member of ;heir own persuasion could be
sElurg.ei ir:o that body. So at the begin
niu- oft The present session the matter
br3rel. III. and referred TO the Judiciary con-
mi,tce, compo5ei of about six republicans to
one dem5L.: That committee worked on
the matter Light weeks. and finally, through
T-am5uiI chairman, reported unanimously,
We believe, that Stockton vas regularly elect
G and entitled 10 his seat. The report Of
this comm. tee would have been approved and
the matter there ended, hut for subsequent
occurrences.
Ab5,.; Ills time President Johnson vetoed
tie Freeimen's Bureau bl.l and the vote in
tie Selae on The veto showed that the radi>
Gals lacked couple Of votes Of La:ing two
thirds Of that body. Could Stockton be
ous:ad. aud . radical put in his place, lone
o. and one ou,) the :wo votes world lie made
~ So the hounds went to work, bu: in spite
Of al they could do, they could get bat II
votes in favor Of oustirg Stockton to IS
a-airs- it. So the vote was postponed from
day 10 lar anil another vote could be drum
med Finally Senator Wrig of y. j.. took
,icI. and had to 20 home. Now the time TO
Gust SLocEtrn had come, but for one difficulty
I.-ryre Senator Wright vent home, he took the
Tr5ea mon To pair-of with Senator Morrill,,
C Maine. 'Pair;agof in senatorial par
lance. .a..-ns simply solemn pledge Of hon
c. on 10th s.Ics, kat the member present
shah not vu,e on Z given question in the alb
sence OF tie other member, who, if present
would vote ca the opposite side.
Senator ..3-rilI gave this pledge; but
strangely enough, with full knowledge Of it.
the radicals brought up the case Of Senator
Stockton. ami forced il to a vote. The
mys. r vas explained when the vote was
taken, .S.aa;51 JiorTiH in TIE face o his SOL
c:,,i p'e.':.e ..ot 10 rots on tie QUESTION, Voted
roa .l.z EXCLUSION CT STOCKTON.
Tie democrats II the senate we're dunl>
founded. an,, lie dishonest senator felt obliged
80 make some kind of apology for thus ab
turing the obligation Of homer. 1t was the
ru;s--aL,e excuse that such length Of time
had elapsed since he paired with Mr. Wright
that he did not feel himself bound By it,
Miserable wretch. His name will be the
synonym OF all that is dishonorahle and infa-
nous among gentlemen from tbs time forth.
But even the infamy of Morrill, failed to
a-,oni plish the object intended. Seeing the
INSCRIPTIONS ed rascai!y means Lis oppo>
uc-ts were ready 10 resort to to Gust him
Senator STOCKTON, with high moral courage
deserving Of praise. voted for himself, and
thus defeated the resolution to Dust him.
So the case was disposed OF second time.
Eu. having gone into the dirty business SO
deep, no additional infamy could now be too
great to- the radicals ifthey could accomplish
tle;r e-d.-- So next day, SUMNER, under the
t-e:5as-ta Stockton violated parliamentary
NV II vo;ne for himself. got TIE senate to
consent to a reconsideration. which, by the
VOC Il .zea Ike Trumhull (who had roted
agaias: ccsting Stockholm was carried Stock
oas friends now begged, as this whole inde-
cent and d!z-racefuI business had gone SO far,
he second vote on the motion 20 GUST Sena-
tor S. might he DELAYED until Senator Wright,
Who w15 sill at home sick, could return
But al was Of 10 avail. The Presiden, had
nov vetoed the .-civil rights BILL and Stock :
ton must be kicked ont to pass the bill over
Ike Presidents head. So another vote was
taken, and Senator Stewart. of Ne.ada, hav>
Ing changed his vnte, Stockton was this time
oasted by one majority. Upon which he put
On his hat and walled or, of the senate sat
i=i-d hat Lis 10 siiIon as a private citizen
was far more respectable than the station oc-
cugied by tie dishonoreI crew ne left behind
Inn.