New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-04

thelr losing any OF their strength by giving
few days further time for reflection, and
Ior OBTAINING Ihe presence Of absent mem
bers. And should this result in a change Of
what would now appear to be the vote Of
the Senate as to the decision they will make,
it will only be decision by majority com
posed in part of Republicans as well as
Democrats. / do not expect, sir, in urging
the Senate to adopt the proposition of Mr..
Braughn. to change the result in the end;
but make the motion that fairness and a
full opportunity of procuring full Senate
may be attained. ! wish to see every Sena-
tor present, if possible, who is now absent,
Republican as well as Democrat. If VIC
could have to-day full Senate, although
that Senate, although the Republicans
would be largely in the majority, l, sir, for
one, would vote against the postponement
| desire TO see this matter SO fairly consd-
cred aud settled that none Of us shall suffer
or have Just cause of complaint. There can
be no harm or injustice done by giving time,
but there may be harm and Injustice done
in refusing to give it. ! think if Senators
will reflect upon the greater credit they
Will have for doing every practicable and
reasonable justice to the sitting members,
they cannot refuse to give them the time
they desire.
am not speaking for Democrats alone.
| wish to see the Senator from Carroll here
with his clear head and honest convictions,
but whose Judgment was strongly against
the sitting members.
l understand, Mr.. Lynch will be here, and
! should like to see him here, whatever may
be his conclusions upon the subject, and l
should like to see other members present.
Republicans as well as Democrats, that we
might have fai7 decision by full Senate
upon this question, which is fraught with
such interest to us all.
Mr.. Smith: Mr.. President, l differ with
the gentleman in some respects. / contend
that postponement OF this case is an inius.
tice to the people of the Second Senatorial
District, from the fact that it is keeping out
the Representative of their choice, and
keeping in man who is bitterly opposed to
the interests of the majority of that dis
trict, 1t is an injustice to every man in
that district who voted for Mr.. Pinchback.
move to lay the resolution to postpone on
the table.
The President: The Chair would like to
state just here that he is very anxious
to see the whole of these contested
cases decided. The Chair has learned from
Saturday, that it is impossible to decide
them unless We can harmonic the matter
| as much as possible. The resolution of
postponement offered by Senator Braughn
| certainly pledges the presence of all the
| Democratic members on Wednesday, and !
| should think it would BE- no more than JUS
tice that the resolution should be adopted
to postpone, for the purpose Of securing Il
| full attendance of the members, if nothing
! else. The adoption of that resolution GER
| tainly assures this Senate of a full quorum
to transact business. regret this apparent
necessity for delay as much as any one can.
! From the fact that the resolution comes
| from Senator Braughn, prominent mem
| ber of the Democratic party, regard il as
a certainty that the Senate will have quo.
rum; that the members will stay in and see
the case decided.
Mr.. Couplaud: Mr.. President, being a
member OF the Committee on Contested
Election Cases, and having examined the
majority report, ! know the difficulties at.
tending all cases of contested elections.
know that injustice may be done, not in
tentionally, but sometimes unintentionally
But do not believe in this case, so far as
we have gone, that we have permitted in
Justice to any one. If Mr.. Jewell himself
and his friends-and l must assure hin
that l have the kindest feelings towarL
them-if they think we can secure as tn,
President has well said, quorum and fina
action upon this subject on wednesday
next, the day proposed, for one, am will
ling 10 yield TO the proposition for post
ponement.
The way in which we are getting along i
clogging the ordinary legislation, and l an
perfectly willing to believe that no one viii
be outraged or reVenged, provided the op,
posite party will say that upon wednesday
of this week We can have a decision of thi
case.
I am perfectly willing to wait unit
Wednesday, and | think every membe
should be, provided we can have full an
| fair decision OF the case on that day.e Wha
have done, l have done from my convic
tions of right, as believe. have read tn
matter as carefully and as conscientiously a
any man with my ability can read it, ant
the conclusions have subscribed TO are m,
Conscientious convictions and / here to
day assert that ! will stand by them, be
lieving them right and just. Yet if it is de
! sirable to wait until Wednesday, in order t
promote harmony, and If Senators will d
what they were elected for, in being her
where duty calls, and not break the quoruI
: on that day, if they will then come tC
] gether and weigh this matter, ! am willin
it should be postponed until then. But W
: must have no more OF this hibustering-
. this breaking of quorums. Let US com
3 together as men, as Senators, and sensibl
beings, and transact this business as be
I comes Senators.
Mr.. Lewis Mr.. President, I would like t
, ask Judge Braughn one question. viii yo
pledge yourself and others to be present t
vote upon the case on Wednesday? If so,
am willing to have it postponed.
Mr.. Braughn Mr.. President, l have ha
t no conversation upon this subject with an
member. | cannot speak for my colleagues
, But when offered the motion it was 70
! the purpose of giving the time that Senate
/, Jewell asks, in order that absent Senator
may reoecupy their seats and | shall con
slider myself bound TO be present here o
Wednesday next. l have no authority @
, right to make such pledge for anybod
else.
Mr.. Smith Mr.. President, If the resolr
tion had been introduced by Senate
Braughn on Saturday. coming as it doe
from a gentleman that have all respect fol
| should have heartily supported il bu
after such reprehensible proceedings a
were had On Saturday, l do not feel di
posed to do so. As circumstances are an
have been, l cannot support that resolution
The rabb.e have crowed over the action
Saturday last as q game in which they hay
checkmated majority of this Senate.
MIR. Campbell: Mr. President, | wish
say that if the conduct OF gentlemen on Sa
urday had been in consonance with the
, professions to-day, / would vote for tn
resolution. And | wish, also, in the mo
dispassionate manner TO call the attentio
; of the Chair to the conduct of members VIII
are now asking us to proceed with sue
care, caution, dignity, and circumspection
l ask Senators if they do not remember tina
when time was asked for on another occa
I sion--when even the most prominent mem
Der on this fOor-the Senator from Qua
? chita-stated distinctly it was matter o
! doubt, and he should have to vote with tina
t doubt on his mind-in the face OF tnat plead
E ing every motion to opostpone was lheNoraolJ }
= voted down, But every one Of these thre,
5 cases were put through without any displal
3 | of that generosity for which members arl
now asking And, sir, without any REQUEST
for a reasonable postponement such as i
' asked for to day, these members who hay,
been considered the most moderate and con
servative, to man left the Senate and brok
| n nd M = Nls.-