Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.



WASHINGTON, May 21-The Senate
agreed to adjourn this evening until Mon
day.
Mr.. Henderson arose 10 question Of
privilege, and read note that he had re-
ceived Tuesday from the Impeachment
managers, requesting him TO appear before
them TO aid them in their Inquiries, and
by giving such testimony as would tend to
instruct the House of Representatives on
the matter they were deputed TO inYesti-
gate by the resolution of the 10th inst. lie
then read his answer, in which he said that
personally he had no objection TO comply
ing with their request, more particularly
"a his refusal would be miscon-
strued and subject him TO further cal
jimmy, but as a Senator he could not
comply without first submitting the mat
ter to the Senate for their advice and
concurrence. He considered the terms of
the resolution under which they we're act
ing as insulting to the SenGte, and felt that
il would be injurious to The dignity of the
Senate, TO public justice and 10 public in
terests TO countenance the assumed rights
Of the House to set an acquisition on mem
bers of this body. He thought the resolu.
ton was calculatedto deprive the Senate Of
the proper control Of its own Affairs, and
would even oblige the Senators to divulge
their secret deliberations under fear of COM
initial for contempt and removal from the
protection of the Senate. He stated he had
appeared before another committee of the
House yesterday, and had testified to what
little he knew about the Chief Justice and
the formation Of new party, and pro-
testing only at the close because he
did not wish to expose himself
TO misconstruction by refusing to
testify. Although he felt that most Of the
questions we're not pertinent in regard 10 !
this other committee, however, he would |
refuse to comply with their request unless |
the Senate thought it best that he should |
do so, and to the Senate he now submitted /
the question, with a letter from the man
ayers, which he had Just received. The
letter was read, disavowing any Intentional |
discourtesy TO the Senate, and saying their
former letter was not intended as a subpe-
ma, but simply a request, which implied |
his right not to answer any question he CON 1
sidered improper.
Mr.. Pomeroy said he had received a
similar note, andAad given his testimony,
not supPOsing.he had thereby compromised
the dignity of the Senate.
Mr.. Sumner followed in the same strain.
and thought no obstacle should be thrown
in the way of justice, as it was possible
that another article on evidence now being.
taken.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Davis was
then considered. 1t refers to the action
taken by certain parties, which reflects on
the integrity ofmembers Of the Senate, and
calls for an assistant committee to inyesti-
gate the whole matter and report.
Considerable discussion ensued, Messrs.
Howe and Buckaew favoring the resOlu-
ton. Mr.. Ferry also approved its purport,
but contended that il should not be adopted |
until after the termination of the trial.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, opposed the reso- |
luton.
Mr. Ross offered an amendment calling |
on the House to send to the Senate all the
testimony bearing on the subject which
they have already taken. /
The amendment was accepted by Mr. |
Davis, and the debate was continued at
length.
At $3.50 p. NJ, Mr.. Conling moved to adj
journ, bat yielded TO the motion 10 60 into
executive session, which was carried.
Adjourned until Monday