The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-30
The Arkansas and South Carolina
Constitutions.
SUMNER OBJECTS TO LANGUAGE USED BY NELSON
NELSON TRIES TO READ A LETTER IN
THE ALTA vELA CASE.

WASHINGTON, April 29.--In the House a resolu.
ton was offered TO print 500 copies of the South
eTn Constitutions.
In the impeachment court, Sumner moved
resolution eensurng Nelson for language likely
10 provoke duel. Several objections were
made.
Nelson prodnced letter dated March 9, with
Buffers and LOgan's signatures, regarding Alta
Vela. Butler desired TO see the letter. Nelson
desired some pledge that it would be returned.
Chase made some objection, when Nelson said
be would prefer depOsiting it with the secretary
Of the Senate, who could show it to Butler Here
the matter stopped. Evarts proceeded with his
argument
Meade telegraphs Grant that Georgia ratifies
the Constitution, and elects Bullock governor,
but that the legislature is Democratic.
Mr.. Stanbery will deliver his speech in person.
Evarts spoke all day and will conclude to-
morrow.
Acquitial stock is up. Bets even to-day.
Nelson's triumph over Butler to-day was com.
plete. Trumbull moved that Nelson be allowed
10 explain. Nelson as part of the explanation,
was reading letter. Butler objected. Senator
Davis said manager had no business to object.
Senator Sherman then objected. Hendricks
moved that Nelson be allowed so much as would
show date and signature-carred. Nelson, hold
ing the letter, faced toward the Senate, said !:
Senators will see that the letter is dated March
8 h, and here attached to it they will see the auto
grsphs B. F. Butler and John A. Logan"
The leadership which Sumner has assumed re-
garding the new rules is evidently distasteful to
several senators.
Candy telegraphs Grant that the majority in
North Carolina so far for the Constitution is
l3OO0-six counties not heard from.
1t has tTanspired in the Court of Claims that
many of the dispositions in cotton cases were not
properly read TO witnesses, but were extended
here by commissioners from photographic notes.
The court has ordered new depositons, causing
delay and disappointment in many cases.
The reconstruction committee met to-day and
considered the South Carolina and Arkansas Con-
stitutions, but came to no conclusion. They will
meet again on Saturday.
Senator Sumner offered an order, that Whereas,
Mr.. Nelson, one Of the counsel for the president,
10 addressing the Senate, has used disOrderly
words, as follows: So far as any question the
gentleman desires TO make with me, this is not the
place TO make 1t , and whereas, such language,
besides being discredtable to the Senate. is cal
culated 10 bring on duel. or intimate desire or
willingness TO fight one; it is therefore ordered
that Mr.. Nelson, one Of the counsel for the presi-
dent, has Justly deserved the eieapprobation of
the - ate"
Nelson rose. The chief justice said he could
only proceed by unanimous consent. Sumner
objected unless it was for the purpose Of expls-
nation. Nelson said he only wished to read let
ter in the Alta Vela case. Butler hoped, far as
he was concerned, there would be no further &C.
tion taken in the matter, but objected 20 reading
the letter, Nelson hoped he would be allowed to
say one word. He had intended no offense by
what he had said. but II anything was TO be done
with the resolution he hoped he would have an
opportunity TO explain. So far as he was con
cerned, he was willing to let the matter drop.
Sherman objected 10 present consideration of the
resolution. Nelson repeated his desire TO present
the letter. The chief Justice put the motion whe-
ther Nielsen be allowed 10 proceed; agreed to.
Butler repeated his objection. Senator Trumbull
asked that, as the manager had been allowed the
privilege OF saying what he desired, some privi-
lege be extended counsel. Chief justice said
d.rsFt eka 80
the Senate. Davis raised point OF order that
after the Senate had permitted counsel TO pro-
ceed, il was not competent for manager to OBJ
eet. Chief justice did not understand leave as
allowing counsel 70 read q letter. Howard
begged leave TO object to reading of letters until
after they we're presented 10 the managers for
examination. Sumner positively objected to
allowing counsel to proceed after the language
be had used. except for the purpose of explana-
tion. johnson asked il debate was in
order. Confusion here occurred, several sen
stors speaking st once. Hendricks moved
that attorney for the president be allowed
20 read so much Of the letters as would show
date. Agreed to. Nelson resnmed, and said the
letter TO which reference had been made-Altl
Nela-bOre date March 9TH lS6S, sigued by Benz.
F. Butler and addressed TO Col. Shafer. johnson
asked II be bad the original letter. Nelson under
stood this to be the original letter. He also IN.
derstood the signature to be the genuine signature
/ Of Benjamin F. Butler aud the signatures below
! 10 be the genuine signatures OF John A. Logan
/ and James A. Garfield The letter was brief. and
! he would ike permission TO read IL. Howard
! objected TO the reading. The chief justice said
the letter could not be read unless by consent OF
the Senate. Nelson said 1t was almost impossible
] for him TO explain If he was not permitted "a
| read the letter The letter is signed by Benjamin
| F. Butler. Beneath his signature are the word.
{" concur" which are signed by John A. Logan
and beneath those So do l." signed by James A.
\ Garfield.
! There was no other date to the letter thar
/ March 8, 1865. johnson asked as TO the hand
writing. Nelson said that the date aud body o
the letter were the same, but that the signatures
we're different. Nelson eontinued-On the f5tt
OF March, Chancey =. Black addressed a letter &c
the president saying that he inclosed this letter
The chief justice ssid-Counsel must confne him
self to dates. Hendricks said his motion was e
allow the attorney TO read only so much of the
letter as would show its date. and he objected e