The New York herald., 1868-05-22
THE F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
Second Session.

THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1868.
The Senate met at twelve o'clock a bare quorum
being present at the opening.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
Mr. CONKLTNG, (rep.) Of N. " presented petition
OF numerous underwriters and merchants OF the city
OF New York praying that no means be adopted
to lessen the efficiency Of the coast survey, which
was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Also
petition of Seymour White citizen Of Texas asking
relief from disabilities, which referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary. Also memorial OF the
Buffalo Board Of Trade asking that money be ex-
pended by the city Of Buffalo in constructing
straight cut from Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee
river, which was referred to the Committee on Com
merce Also resolutions Of the New York Produce
Exchange, asking appropriations for the further i'm
provement Of the harbor of Buffalo, which re-
ferred to the Committee on Commerce.
o S ST. ssRes
ton for the survey and clearing OF the distractions
from Bayou Mauchoe In order to open direct COM
municatlOn from the Mississippi river via Lake Pont-
chartrain to the Gulf Of Mexico which was referred
\ to the Committee Of Commerce.
THE INTIMIDATION OF SENATOR'S.
Mr.. DAVIS, (dem.) OF Ky, rose TO question OF the
privileges of the Senate and offered the following
whereas believe tina. persons
been and are " violating the rights and privileges
unawfui and improper towards its members
snSs the s e
United states pending before the Senate Court Of
be resolved, THAI committee three chosen by
ntimidstions and other Improper and unlawful
and % or aSs gs
and papers 70 take evidence employ stenosrapher
The resolution was laid aside temporarily.
BRIDGING THE OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI.
On motion Of Mr. MOTION, lrep2 Of Ind, the
| by him authorizing the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads to consider the propriety Of report
bridges across the Ohio and Mississippi rivers Chat
| will not interfere with navigation, and referring
Se erection sS Of bridge across the Ohio ver Mr.
Morton after speaking OF the importance OF tne SUB
Se sSe ssa as'esS0 the iii IN que did not fully
describe the character Of the bridge proposed which
to have q Srsw Of Sn as Feet II % wa '9e 70
be OO,feet such draws, ne said, destroyed the
navigation Of the rivers, there being no safety for
time and with RATS and barges they do not pass at
all save under the most favorable circumstances.
Tns Gsge prTsSe to be
and the span should not be less than 500 feet
dred feet span would act as great impediment to
navigation, and il such bridges were multiplied
they would totally destroy Inc interests OF rail-
roads and those Of river navigation were not ncom.
patibe, but the latter were Of the rst importance
to the people, since 1t had been estimated that the
value Of the passing up and down the Ohio river was
equal to that OF the reghts Of all the railroads in
the United States and the freights the river were
cheaper by onehfth to onehah, than those on rail-
NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF SOUTHERN STATES.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communication
from the President enclosing the new constitutions
| OF louisiana North Carolina and Georgia. Referred
| to the Committee on the Judiciary.
| SENATOR HENDERSON AND THE IMPEACHMENT MANA
Mr.. HENDERSON, rep:l Of Mo-, rose 70 question Of
privilege and read note he had received on Tuesday
rom the Board Of Impeachment Managers request
ing him TO appear before them to aid their inquiries
by giving such testimony as would tend to Instruct
puted to investigate by the resolution OF the 10th
inst. He then read his answer, sent yesterday, In
comply with their request more particularly as his
| fusaf would be misconstrued and subject him to
yft Without rsi submitting the matter to the Senate
FOR their advice and concurrence. He considered
| the terms Of the resolution under which they were
would be injurious to the dignity OF the Senate to
public justice and TO the public interests TO counte-
sition on the members Of this body. He thought
| that the resolution was calculated TO deprive the
would even obSe the Senators to dvulge their secret
deliberations under fear OF committai for contempt
o% 6 te el anohsF
what little he knew about the Chief Justice and the
the close because BE- sch he aid not wish to expose himself
to mlsconstruction by refusing to testify, although
In regard to this other committee, however, he
would refuse to comply with their request unless the
thought Il best ne should % 40 So % ana t1 aee
from the Managers he had just received.
The letter was read, disavowing any Intentional
letter was not Intended as o subpoena, but simply
request which implied his right TO decline to answer
Mr.. CHANDLER, Tepi Of Mich, moved that the
Senate do now adjourn, but withdrew the motion to
M Hs e O. TO S
received the same kind Of an invitation from the
Managers that had been received by the Senator
my testimony and do not know that had been In
suited or that the Senate had been.
sire to add that though nave not received formal
notice nor have been before the Managers l was
me- to testify to Certain matters that we're within my
knowledge. 1 confess that had no sensibility on
the question: and did not feel that the character OF
the Senate or my own character was involved, be-
cause the Managers chose to examine me In order to
ferret out something also was aware OF the rules
one relating to impeachment:-'Ifa Senator Is called
as q witness he shall be and give his testimony
standing In his place therefore, by the rules OF the
Senate, any Senator may be called as witness.
Mr.. JoHNsoN-That Ia, In the court.
we'll don't 1a.sS mean =, e be oew sen.
ator from Missouri Is whether, being liable to be
called as . witness in the case, the Managers are
shut out from the powers not to say prer0gatives.
which belong to them with regard to other persons
who may be witnesses. believe IL Is usual FOR them
in advance to confer with the witnesses or TO exam
| Inc them In order to ascertain whether IL may be
desirable to present them as witnesses In the case
| before us. Knowing, we do from public report,
that s among the possibilities that further article
OF Impeachment may be exhibited against the Presi
dent II does seem TO me work OF supernuiW wnic. @
TO throw In It's way any dignity OF the Senate or any
claims of his Sir let justice have free course
and take its way. The way Of idstice cannot bt
stopped. TechnicalIties are out OF place Thav d
otbelong to o case like ths-