The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-03-19
XLth CONGRESs. Isl SESSION
SENATE.

T. L.
was matter of common rumor that
the gentleman who was an applicant
for admission TO the Senate sympa-
thized with the rebellion in the late
civil war.
Mr.. Johnson did not know what ru-
mors Mr.. Howard referred to in rela-
ton TO any particular act of the Senator
elect which had given aid and comfort
to The rebels. Perhaps he was referred
10 on the floor ofthe Senate on Saturday
that Mr.. Thomas, while Secretary of
the Treasury, transferred large
amount of money from New York to
Louisiana, that il might be there TO as
sist the rebels. He (MF. Johnson) had
mentioned that to his colleague, and
was authorized 10 say there waA not
word oftruth in il.
Mr.. Howard said his objection TO Mr..
Thomas was the language attributed to
him in speeches he made after the cleo
ton. He was reported TO have said
that the Senate of the United States
done all in its power 10 dissolvs theUnion
by war, in which they failed, and were
now attempting to destroy il by legisla-
ton He INT. HowardJ thought that
very unkind remark on the part
Of the applicant, if he made that
remark. II a man could be called
strictly loyal and attached to the gov
eminent of the United States whs held
that the entire action OF Congress in the
prosecution of the late war to suppress
the rebellion was an effort on the part
of Congress to dissolve the Union; that
he Howard) had lost to a great degree
his knowledge of the force of the Ian
guage.
Mr.. Johnson said he knew nothing of
the speech to which Mr.. Howard refer
red. What he did know Was that
in the letter accepting his nomination
there would be found nothing iuronI
sistent with his duties TO the county.
The letter of Mr.. Thomas was sent
TO the Clerks desk and read.
Mr.. Nye said it Was claimed by the
loyal men OF Maryland that the cleo
ton OF the legislature by which Mr..
Thomas had been elected was a palpa-
BILE fraud upon the existing laws OF
Maryland. Il was asserted by those
Union men that they had a law
standing upon. the statute book that
prevents all persons sympathizing
with the rebellion from voting at their
elections. At the last election this law
was disregarded, and persons of all
kinds, the worst rebels among them,
were permitted to vote, and by their
votes legislature was elected that
sent the Honorable gentleman here as
Senator. When Mr.. Thomas resigned
fromMr. Buchanau's Cabinet, he wrote
letter stating his reason for so doing,
that he was forced 10 leave from the
AdCl IndE Ne mol concur lQ ID9 act
10 reinforce Fort Sumpter. He denied
entirely the power of coercion.
Mr.. Trumbull spoke at some length
on the subject, he was opposed as much
as any man could be to admitting trail
Ors or enemies OF the government as
members of the Senate, he was in
favor ofrsceiVing none but loyal men,
but the objections to Mr.. Thomas were
sustained by nothing but rumors. No
SPECIFIC charge WAS made by any Sena-
tor against him. Mr.. Thomas was GER
tainly entitled TO be sworn in, unless
there was something to overcome the
pTInd ydci0 case, which WAS in his fa-
vor. 1fany Senator could bring a spe-
citic charge against the applicant, ne
would go as far as was necessary in
making an investigation; but he un-
derstOOd that Mr.. Thomas was willing
10 take the oath required by law, and
II so, he ought to be admitted, unless
there was distinct charge made
against him.
Mr.. Fessenden said he was unwill-
ing, by his vote, to establish so danger
Gus precedent as to refuse TO receive
Senator who came here with the proper
credentials, and who had been elected
in pursuance OF law, and against
v HON there was no specific charge,
from any respectable source.
Mr.. Sherman read from 4 letter of
Mr.. Thomas, resigninS his office as
Secretary of the Treasury OF Buchan-
ans Cabinet, in which Mr.. Thorn
as says: The United States
have no power to collect the
custom duties at the port of Charles
ton. This was endorsement of the
right of secession. It at least placed
the applicant in an embarrassing posi-
ton, winch required an explanation,
speech of Mr.. Thomas, TO which refer
euce has been made. In that speech
the Senate was referred 10 as a body of
men, who have always been and were
now traitors TO the Union.
Mr.. Morton said the quotations he
had just heard was sufficient to justify
enquiry if what Mr.. Thomas had said
was not true, the converse of The
proposition was in tone,,t that the Senate,
was "a body of traitors, Mr.. Thomas
WAS loyal man, but if the Senate was
not a body of traitors then Mr.. Thomas
was a dlsloyal man.
Mr.. Salisbury said the report of the
speech of Mr.. Thomas, from which this
extract was read appeared in the BALTIC.
American. He read the speech in the
Baltimore Gazette, and there was no
such language attributed to the speaker
in that report
After some further debate the subject.
WAS, on motion of Grimes, postponed
until tomorrow.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced bill for the
consolidation OF the Indian tribes and
the erection OF = qualified Territorial
Government for the Indians. Also a
joint resolution to authorize the COM
handing General to permit traders TO
remain at certain posts. Referred TO
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the Joint
resolution to declare valid the laws OF
New Mexico, passed during the session
of 1866 and 1867. Passed.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the Supple
mentary Reconstruction bill, the cues
ton being upon the Concurrence in the
House amendments to the Senate
which WAS OF an unimportant charac-
ter, was agreed 10. The second was to
require a msjority of all the registered
voters instead of, as by the Senate bill,
a majority OF the votes cast to adopt a
State Constitution. After debate it was
disagreed TO. The next amendment
vitiates the punishment for swearing
falsely under this act. Agreed TO.
The bill now goes back TO the House,
from the amendment disagreed TO by
the Senate.
The Senate went into executive ses-
sion and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE
Two newly elected members from
New Hampshire, Messrs. Ella and Ste
Yeus, appeared and had the oath of
Office administered to them, and took
their seats.
Bills were introduced ana referred as
follows; A bill by Mr.. Chandler to
prevent infringement and frauds on
Patents. Referred to the committee on
Patents. Also, a bill to establish a
National School of Science. Referred to
the cOmmitte on Aiinez and NfiDinr